RPI delivers iMAP machine to Chinese aero engine manufacturer
Specialist developer and manufacturer of precision positioning devices for high accuracy rotary and angular inspection systems, RPI UK, has successfully supplied an integrated measurement assembly platform (iMAP) to a major Chinese aero engine manufacturer based in Shanghai.
RPI’s iMAP machine, which has been proven to reduce inspection times by 90% and improve gauge R&Rs by up to 10 times, will be used by the Chinese company to measure and assemble its turbine rotors.
iMAP’s data acquisition software AccuScan™ enables manufacturers to measure up to 3,600 data points on up to 8 surfaces simultaneously per revolution thereby significantly reducing process times compared with other available method. This significantly improved inspection data is then used by IntelliStackTM, iMAP’s Rotor Stacking Program, to solve the mathematical problem of how to best assemble a multi-stage rotor assembly to achieve minimum runout or unbalance of the finished rotor.
Specifically designed to inspect large and heavy components, RPI’s iMAP machines are fully compatible with any shop floor environment whilst maintaining world class accuracies more commonly seen in the standards laboratory.
Jim Palmer, RPI’s Sales Manager, said: “We’re delighted that a major Chinese aero engine manufacturer has chosen to invest in one of our iMAP machines which have been independently verified and proven to offer our customers significant operational improvements over their traditional measurement methods. With world-class accuracy, our iMAP machines are the definitive system for productivity improvement in turbine rotor assembly combining a high precision rotary axis, rigid column unit, anti-vibration granite base and AccuScanTM multi-channel circular geometry inspection software.”
Henry Zhao from Dantsin, RPI’s Chinese distributor, said: “The Chinese aerospace industry has been growing at an exponential rate and the investment by a major Chinese aero engine manufacturer in RPI’s iMAP machine is a fantastic endorsement of British manufacturing and engineering! With its world-class accuracy, RPI’s iMAP machines help achieve higher levels of quality by helping our customers understanding of their machining process capabilities as well as saving money and resources by significantly reducing inspection times and the need for costly rotor teardowns due to inefficient rotor assembly optimisation.”
RPI grew out of acquisitions from Airmatic, Optical Measuring Tools, and Eimeldingen. Since the 1950s, it has been one of the world’s largest designers and manufacturers of precision rotary tables and a leading supplier of rotary tables to the aerospace, automotive, power generation, machine tool, scientific and general engineering industries.
Rotary Precision Instruments (RPI) is a developer and manufacturer of inspection systems where highly accurate measurement of circular geometry and angular positioning is required. The business' activities are focused on supplying enabling technologies to high value manufacturers and suppliers of large volume and heavy load components such as turbines for the aerospace and power generation industries in the global developed and emerging manufacturing economies.