Engine measurement relies on ION

To help keep pace with the final inspection requirements of the Trent XWB engine, Rolls-Royce has invested in Faro Laser Tracker ION technology. Designed for the Airbus A350 XWB, the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine is currently near the end of a rigorous development and maturity demonstration programme. The Trent XWB will be the sixth member of the successful Trent family of engines. State-of-the-art design features include the use of blisks, contra-rotation, low hub-tip ratio swept fan, advanced compressor aerodynamics, next generation clearance control and new materials technology. These qualities will ensure that the Trent XWB will deliver exceptional lifecycle fuel-efficiency, maximise revenue potential and minimise disruption. Tomorrow's engine now Building on millions of hours of Trent family experience, the Trent XWB is a single engine type intended for use across the whole A350 XWB family. “The advanced turbofan incorporates leading-edge technology and was designed, not only to deliver low operating costs, but also to be the most environmentally friendly engine available,” begins Steve Parker, of Rolls-Royce Trent XWB, Whole Engine Design. “When in service, the Trent XWB will provide world-beating reliability, dependability and predictability. “The Trent XWB has been created by using advanced manufacturing techniques in order to develop a lighter, more capable and efficient engine to meet tomorrow's operational needs. Due to the commercial success of the new Trent XWB turbofan, the required high production volume has prompted a step-change in many of our assembly procedures. As part of this process, to help accommodate our increased assembly throughput, our project team recognised the need for an accurate, non-contact, large volume measuring device for use within the Trent XWB turbofan final assembly area.” After establishing a list of technical criteria for the proposed measuring equipment, including accuracy, repeatability, flexibility, low maintenance and calibration costs and the ability to keep pace with its production flow-line, Rolls-Royce considered a range of applicable technologies and metrology manufacturers. “Having selected several advanced measuring systems that corresponded to our needs our project team undertook a series of in-depth, shopfloor based R&R studies,” continues Parker. “Although a couple of the tested devices satisfied many of our needs, the only system that ticked all of our boxes was the Faro Laser Tracker ION and so it was ordered. “Following our Faro Laser Tracker ION training, and after trials on assembled engines, our Rolls-Royce team was able to develop a range of practical gauging methods and to achieve significant efficiency gains. In addition, work was undertaken to integrate the Faro Laser Tracker ION's gathered data into our Polyworks software systems. We are now gathering statistics in our inspection routines that will allow invaluable information to be communicated to manufacturing and assembly areas that will result in further efficiency gains.” The portable CMM The Faro Laser Tracker ION is a high precision, portable coordinate measuring machine that enables users to build products, optimise processes, and deliver solutions by measuring more quickly, simply and precisely. Although the Faro Laser Tracker ION uses advanced technology to achieve its accurate measuring results, the use of intuitive software and a logical operator interface ensures ease of use. Replacing conventional hand tools and instruments such as theodolites, the Faro Laser Tracker ION is a more accurate and reliable instrument that allows users to streamline their processes and gain confidence in their measuring results. The system is ideal for performing measuring tasks where the highest levels of precision is crucial, such as in-line measurements, high-speed dynamic measurements, or high accuracy machine calibration. The absolute distance meter (ADM) based measurement system provides high accuracy of up to 0.015mm and a 110m spherical working volume. Advanced system features include an integrated Weather Station that monitors and compensates for changes in temperature; air pressure and humidity; a Smart Warm-Up mode that accelerates the systems thermal stabilisation time, helping to minimise the initial temperature changes' impact on measurement accuracy and SelfComp. In operation, the Faro Laser Tracker ION makes use of an advanced, patented ‘Agile ADM' Distancing System that is able to ‘catch' the beam in the air and set the distance instantly. This enables the system to perform high speed dynamic measurements or high precision in-line measurements. Getting the measure Reflecting the Faro Laser Tracker ION's ability to undertake high-precision measurements across a wide variety of diverse applications, the versatile system has a comprehensive range of mounting options. In addition to vertical set-ups, the Faro Laser Tracker ION can be mounted horizontally or upside, providing excellent flexibility in inaccessible or congested areas. To ensure rapid set-up, the system has an integrated Precision Level that is able to establish orientation with respect to the gravity vector. Parker concludes: “Given our required final assembly accuracy specifications and the sheer size of the Trent XWB, as illustrated by its 3m diameter fan, we are confident that the use of Faro technology will help in many of our high accuracy, large volume measuring routines.”  www.faro.com/lasertracker