US 4,730,382 A · Meltable matrix chucking and machining

Abstract

An integrated factory system affords precision machining and inspection of aircraft turbine blades, as well as other metal parts having two generally opposite principal surfaces. It uses only two stages of chucking by the meltable matrix method. After embedding one of the surfaces in the first chuck, which positions the blank relative to a plane of reference, the other surface is machined and inspected according to programs relative to that plane. Without release from the first chuck, the part is transferred to a second chuck for embedding the machined principal surface relative to a second parallel plane of reference a precise distance from that of the first chuck. Machining and inspection is now completed relative to this second plane of reference. Improved matrix chucks are provided, as well as new chucking apparatus which establishes the planes of reference. A milling machine is provided whose machine table may tilt about a longitudinal axis, alternately raising the long edges of the chuck so that the leading and trailing edges of a blade blank may be completely machined without re-chucking. The machine table is mounted for swinging in reversing arcs about a vertical axis, from which the chucked blade blanks are positioned radially to coincide with their positions about the rotary axis of the engine. The tilt and swing movements of the machine table are programmed as part of the two-stage machining and inspection program.

Claims4

Dependent claims

For chucking metal blanks of the type having two generally opposite principal surfaces and whose width, between forward and rear edges of such surface, is greater than its thickness between such principal surfaces,

a chucking center including
a barrel frame and means to support said barrel frame along a horizontal pivot axis,
a first track portion on said frame extending parallel to the pivot axis, and including means to support a meltable matrix chuck and establish for it a first generally horizontal plane of reference at a radial distance from said horizontal pivot axis, as well as means to establish the transverse location of a chuck thereon,
the barrel frame having means to position said track portion at a base level,
an alternate track portion supported on said barrel frame 180.degree. removed from said first track portion, said alternate track portion including means to support a meltable matrix chuck inverted relative to said first mentioned chuck support means, and including means to establish, for a chuck thereon, a second plane of reference parallel to the first and the transverse location of a chuck thereon,
means to turn said barrel frame 180.degree. about said horizontal pivot axis, and
means to adjust the spacing of said alternate track portion from said first track portion, whereby chucks supported within said barrel frame, inverted relative to the other, may be brought from juxtaposed position, at which their planes of reference are at a chosen spacing, to a clearance position at which either said first track portion or said alternate track entrant portion may be at such base level.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Meltable matrix chucking and machining

Life of this patent

Meltable matrix chucking and machining

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4