MM&T - Low Cost Production/Installation of Urethane Leading Edge Guards on Rotor Blades

摘要

This program to develop a process for a low-cost production/installation of urethane leading edge guards for rotor blades was to consist of three tasks as follows: Task I - Manufacturing Process Identification. (a) Conduct a survey of manufacturers and literature for suitable erosion guard materials. (b) Determine flow, bonding, and temperature characteristics of the selected material. (c) Demonstrate the feasibility of the process of molding a boot on a 4-foot section of blade. Task II - Tool Design and Fabrication. From the results obtained in the molding phase of Task I, refine the tool concept and design and fabricate a tool to mold an erosion boot on a full-length blade. Task III - Fabrication Process Demonstration. Using the experience gained in Task I and the tool fabricated in Task II, form, bond, and inspect four full-scale leading edge erosion boots. Analyze and compare costs to current production process and prepare manufacturing work instructions.