摘要:
A turbine engine component, such as a turbine blade or vane, with complex internal features can be cast using a core having a first region with normal resolution features and a second region with high resolution features. The core can be formed from a single structure. Alternatively, the first region can be defined by a first ceramic core piece, which can be formed by any conventional process, such as by injection molding or transfer molding. The second region can be defined by a second ceramic core piece formed separately by a method effective to produce high resolution features, such as tomo lithographic molding. The first core piece and the second core piece can be joined by interlocking engagement, such as by male and female dovetails. The high resolution features can be effective to produce high efficiency internal cooling features in the cast component.
摘要:
A method of manufacturing a component, including providing a three-dimensional computer model of the component to be produced; deconstructing the three-dimensional computer model by defining a plurality of model slices; forming a plurality of metallic foils, where each foil corresponds to a specific model slice; assembling the plurality of formed foils in a tool to form a three-dimensional component stack; and bonding the three-dimensional component stack to form the component. Characteristics of the foils may differ in various portions of the stack, such as being a different material, having a different thickness, or having a different grain orientation. The control of dimensional tolerances of internal structures, such as cooling passages, in three dimensions is devolved into two separate steps of 1) selecting a thickness of each slice/foil, and 2) controlling in two dimensions a material removal process applied to the respective foil.
摘要:
Alloy products are produced with a waxless casting process. A model of a ceramic casting vessel (34) defining a desired product shape is digitally divided into sections (10, 40, 42). Each section is translated into a soft alloy mater tool (14) including precision inserts (20) where needed for fine detail. A flexible mold (24) is cast from each master tool, and a section of the ceramic casting vessel is cast from the respective flexible mold. The vessel sections are assembled by aligning cooperating precision features (58, 60) cast directly into each section and the alloy part is cast therein. No wax or wax pattern tooling is needed to produce the cast alloy product. Engineered surface features (54) may be included on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the shell sections.
摘要:
An investment casting process for a hollow component such as a gas turbine blade utilizing a ceramic core (10) that is cast in a flexible mold (24) using a low pressure, vibration assisted casting process. The flexible mold is cast from a master tool (14) machined from soft metal using a relatively low precision machining process, with relatively higher precision surfaces being defined by a precision formed insert (22) incorporated into the master tool. A plurality of identical flexible molds may be formed from a single master tool in order to permit the production of ceramic cores at a desired rate with a desired degree of part-to-part precision.
摘要:
An investment casting process for a hollow component such as a gas turbine blade utilizing a ceramic core (10) that is cast in a flexible mold (24) using a low pressure, vibration assisted casting process. The flexible mold is cast from a master tool (14) machined from soft metal using a relatively low precision machining process, with relatively higher precision surfaces being defined by a precision formed insert (22) incorporated into the master tool. A plurality of identical flexible molds may be formed from a single master tool in order to permit the production of ceramic cores at a desired rate with a desired degree of part-to-part precision.
摘要:
A core-in-a-core casting method and hybrid core (40) for use in the method. An inner core (42) formed of process-inert particles disposed in a binder material is used as a mold for casting an outer core ((44) formed of particles that will sinter during a subsequent firing step. The inner core provides mechanical support for the outer core during the firing step, and during which the inner core devolves into compacted but unbonded particles that can be removed conveniently from the outer core following the firing step to reveal the fired hollow outer core (44).
摘要:
A core-in-a-core casting method and hybrid core (40) for use in the method. An inner core (42) formed of process-inert particles disposed in a binder material is used as a mold for casting an outer core ((44) formed of particles that will sinter during a subsequent firing step. The inner core provides mechanical support for the outer core during the firing step, and during which the inner core devolves into compacted but unbonded particles that can be removed conveniently from the outer core following the firing step to reveal the fired hollow outer core (44).
摘要:
In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated.
摘要:
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.
摘要:
A focused radiation collimator for collimating radiation emitted from a radiation point source located at a substantially known focal distance from the collimator is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosed collimator, the collimator is formed by at least two collimator layer groups, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the collimator layer groups have a plurality of layer group passages arranged there through in a predetermined pattern which is unique to the layer group but which, with the passages of the other collimator layer group in the aligned stack, additively form a plurality of collimator through channels which are substantially aimed at the radiation point source. Each collimating layer group is formed by at least two substantially identical radiation absorbing layers, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the substantially identical radiation absorbing layers have a plurality of openings arranged there through in substantially the same predetermined pattern which, with the plurality of openings of the other radiation absorbing layer in the aligned stack, additively form the layer group passages. High aspect ratio collimators having very small diameter through channels can be efficiently made in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.