3D printed fuel injector After years of maturation and prototype testing, French helicopter engine maker Turbomeca has entered serial ...
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| 3D printed fuel injector |
After years of maturation and prototype testing, French helicopter engine maker Turbomeca has entered serial production of parts using the latest additive manufacturing, or 3D printing process at its manufacturing facility in Bordes, France.
The facility is one of the first of its kind to serial produce additive components for aerospace propulsion industry in France.
Turbomeca’s latest Arrano and Ardiden turboshafts will feature 3D printed parts.
Arrano test and production engines will feature fuel injector nozzles made using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) techniques and also be used to manufacture Ardiden 3 combustor swirlers.
Additive manufacturing produces parts to a three-dimensional CAD (computer-aided design) model.
Unlike traditional manufacturing processes involving forging and machining, which are based on material removal, additive manufacturing builds layers, each between 20 and 100-micrometers thick, of fine metal powder to produce complex-shape parts. In the case of SLM, a computer-controlled laser shoots pinpoint beams onto a bed of nickel-based super-alloy powder, to melt the metal in the desired areas.
Additive Manufacturing also simplifies the manufacturing process. A traditional fuel-injector nozzle is made up from dozens different pieces. Arrano component is made from one single piece of material and features advanced injection and cooling functions. One SLM machine is already in service, and qualified for mass production, with others to be integrated over the coming years.
Turbomeca is improving its manufacturing capabilities under its ambitious “Future Line” program by introducing new, high-end machine tools and new processes like additive manufacturing and HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) coatings, which will significantly improve its compressor and turbine blade manufacturing capabilities.
