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EDM wire cutting
News Release from: Beko Technologies | Subject: Drypoint M Membrane dryer
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 October 2003
Laser to drill holes to keep aircraft
parts cool
Laser system drills an array of tiny holes in aircraft components to enable them to maintain a stable temperature during the extremely high temperatures seen in service.
China's largest commercial airline, China Southern, has purchased a Delta Tornado laser-cutting machine equipped with a Beko Drypoint M Membrane dryer from M J Technologies, of Coalville, Leicestershire The laser cutter will be used to drill an array of tiny holes in aircraft components to enable them to maintain a stable temperature during the extremely high temperatures seen in service
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Drypoint has been installed on the exterior of the Delta Tornado and extracts moisture from compressed air fed into the laser machine beam delivery - a vital part of maintaining its accuracy.
The unit has now been shipped out to Shanghai.
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Particles are especially problematic and moisture entering the system aggravates the situation because particles are less easy to remove when damp.
With the Delta Tornado removal of contamination particles is necessary to keep laser beam delivery optics clean.
It is also important that no moisture is present within the work chamber as any particles created during drilling or cutting can become stuck to the dampened surface of the components.
This could result in the component becoming scratched or damaged during production, a major problem in precision engineering.
A build up of dust and particles within the works chamber can also, if not properly extracted by the machine's filters, cause contaminants to escape into the work place.
The Beko Drypoint M reduces the moisture entering equipment from the compressed air supply, facilitating the removal of particles by other filters.
Inside the Drypoint M membrane dryer, filtered, moist compressed air in flows through a bundle of highly selective hollow-fibre membranes and, at the same time, the water vapour diffuses through the membranes to the outside.
At the outlet of the Drypoint M, a small part of the compressed-air flow is diverted and expanded for use as purge air.
This purge air flows as a counter current over the outer surface of the hollow fibres.
The difference in the water vapour concentration results in a constant migration of water molecules from the compressed air into the purge air.
The components the Delta Tornado will work on - such as blades and nozzle guide vanes - are complex aerofoil shapes that form part of the turbine section of the aircraft engine and are made of various nickel-alloy metals.
The purpose of the holes is to maintain the material in a stable temperature during the extremely high temperatures seen in service.
Components are peppered with a myriad of tiny holes that vary in diameter between 0.3mm and 3.0mm, to facilitate the passage of vital cooling air.
These holes have to be very accurate in shape, size, depth and angle.
Prior to the Drypoint M being installed, MJ Technologies specified another make of dryer with its Delta Tornado.
The Beko Drypoint was primarily chosen due to performance and maintainability, although other benefits also included its smaller physical size, simplicity of design and its relative small cost.
MJ Technologies supplies precision machining equipment to the aerospace and aviation industries and is a long standing supplier to China Southern. Request a free brochure from Beko Technologies ...
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