LASER MATERIAL PROCESSING IN THE AERO ENGINE INDUSTRY. ESTABLISHED, CUTTING-EDGE AND EMERGING APPLICATIONS

摘要

Laser machining processes are widely used in the manufacture and repair of aero engine components. This paper provides examples of well-established, cutting-edge and emerging laser machining processes. A well-established process is laser metal deposition or laser cladding which is predominantly used to restore worn blade tips and seal fins. But the process also has the potential to restore complete airfoils of integral rotors, also known as bladed disks or blisks. In the FLEXILAS-project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research it was demonstrated that the quality of laser generated blisk blades is comparable to that of new ones.