Manufacturing of aircraft engine transmission gear with SLS (DMLS) method
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the methodology for manufacturing of aircraft transmission gears using incremental method of rapid prototyping (RP) – direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). The production of prototypes from metallic powders using described system allows the execution of final elements of complex structures with additional economic impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the use of selective laser sintering method (DMLS) by EOS Company. Whole chain of production of prototype is presented with the addition of geometric accuracy measurements by blue light laser device.
Findings
Presented in the research analysis of SLS/SLM technologies as rapid manufacturing systems shows that they can be applied in the production of prototypes used in the manufacturing process of gears for propulsion systems in aviation industry. Also, very important is the geometrical accuracy of gear prototypes produced by incremental methods. It determines subsequent treatment steps for aircraft propulsion system gears.
Practical Implications
The use of RP techniques as an alternative for conventionally used manufacturing method has mainly an economic impact related to the cost of time-consuming process and amount of defected elements appearing in serial production.
Originality/value
This paper presents possibility to use RP – DMLS system – for propulsion elements of aircraft structure. This research is original because of the complex description of the whole chain of manufacturing process. Additionally, geometrical accuracy measurement methodology by blue light presented with the RP method of manufacturing gives the research a unique characteristic.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Financial support of Structural Funds in the Operational Programme – Innovative Economy (IE OP) financed from the European Regional Development Fund – Project “Modern material technologies in aerospace industry”, Number POIG.0101.02-00-015/08 is gratefully acknowledged.
Citation
Rokicki, P., Kozik, B., Budzik, G., Dziubek, T., Bernaczek, J., Przeszlowski, L., Markowska, O., Sobolewski, B. and Rzucidlo, A. (2016), "Manufacturing of aircraft engine transmission gear with SLS (DMLS) method", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 88 No. 3, pp. 397-403. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-05-2015-0137
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited