Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Publication
    Knowledge-Based Process Design Optimization in Blisk Manufacturing
    The manufacturing process of blade-integrated disks (blisks) represents one of the most challenging tasks in turbomachinery manufacturing. The requirement is to machine complex, thin-walled blade geometries with high aspect ratios made of difficult-to-cut materials. In addition, extremely tight tolerances are required, since the smallest deviations can lead to a reduction in efficiency of the blisk in the later use. Nowadays, the ramp-up phase for the manufacturing of a new blisk is time and cost-intensive. To find a suitable manufacturing process that meets the required tolerances of the blisk, many experimental tests with different process parameters and strategies are necessary. The used approach is often trial and error, which offers limited testing opportunities, is time-consuming and waste of resources. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a knowledge-based process design optimization in blisk manufacturing. For this purpose, this paper picks up the results from our previous work. Based on these results, an experimental validation of the two process design tasks “number of blocks” and “block transition” is conducted. As part of the validation, the results of machining tests on a demonstrator blisk made of Inconel 718 are presented and discussed.
  • Publication
    Knowledge-Based Adaptation of Product and Process Design in Blisk Manufacturing
    Early and efficient harmonization between product design and manufacturing represents one of the most challenging tasks in engineering. Concepts such as simultaneous engineering aim for a product creation process, which addresses both, functional requirements as well as requirements from production. However, existing concepts mostly focus on organizational tasks and heavily rely on the human factor for the exchange of complex information across different domains, organizations, or systems. Nowadays product and process design make use of advanced software tools such as computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering systems (CAD/CAM/CAE). Modern systems already provide seamless integration of both worlds in a single digital environment to ensure a continuous workflow. Yet, for the holistic harmonization between product and process design, the following aspects are missing: (i) the digital environment does not provide a complete and data consistent digital twin of the component; this applies especially to the process design and analysis environment, (ii) due to the lack of process and part condition data in the manufacturing environment, an adaptation of product and process design for a balanced functionality and manufacturability is hindered, and (iii) systematic long-term data analytics across different product and process designs with the ultimate goal to transfer knowledge from one product to the next and to accelerate the entire product development process is not considered. This paper presents an exploration concept which couples product design (CAD), process design (CAM), process simulation (CAE), and process adaptation in a single software system. The approach provides insights into correlations and dependencies between input parameters of product/process design and the process output. The insights potentially allow for a knowledge-based adaptation, tackling well-known optimization issues such as parameter choice or operation sequencing. First results are demonstrated using the example of a blade integrated disk (blisk). Early and efficient harmonization between product design and manufacturing represents one of the most challenging tasks in engineering. Concepts such as simultaneous engineering aim for a product creation process, which addresses both, functional requirements as well as requirements from production. However, existing concepts mostly focus on organizational tasks and heavily rely on the human factor for the exchange of complex information across different domains, organizations, or systems. Nowadays product and process design make use of advanced software tools such as computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering systems (CAD/CAM/CAE). Modern systems already provide seamless integration of both worlds in a single digital environment to ensure a continuous workflow. Yet, for the holistic harmonization between product and process design, the following aspects are missing: (i) the digital environment does not provide a complete and data consistent digital twin of the component; this applies especially to the process design and analysis environment, (ii) due to the lack of process and part condition data in the manufacturing environment, an adaptation of product and process design for a balanced functionality and manufacturability is hindered, and (iii) systematic long-term data analytics across different product and process designs with the ultimate goal to transfer knowledge from one product to the next and to accelerate the entire product development process is not considered. This paper presents an exploration concept which couples product design (CAD), process design (CAM), process simulation (CAE), and process adaptation in a single software system. The approach provides insights into correlations and dependencies between input parameters of product/process design and the process output. The insights potentially allow for a knowledge-based adaptation, tackling well-known optimization issues such as parameter choice or operation sequencing. First results are demonstrated using the example of a blade integrated disk (blisk).