Improving profile accuracy and surface quality of blisk by electrochemical machining with a micro inter-electrode gap

Electrochemical machining (ECM) has emerged as an important option for manufacturing the blisk. The inter-electrode gap (IEG) distribution is an essential parameter for the blisk precise shaping process in ECM, as it affects the process stability, profile accuracy and surface quality. Larger IEG leads to a poor localization effect and has an adverse influence on the machining accuracy and surface quality of blisk. To achieve micro-IEG (<50 μm) blisk finishing machining, this work puts forward a novel variable-parameters blisk ECM strategy based on the synchronous coupling mode of micro-vibration amplitude and small pulse duration. The modelling and simulation of the blisk micro-IEG machining have been carried out. Exploratory experiments of variable-parameters blisk ECM were carried out. The results illustrated that the IEG width reduced with the progress of variable parameter process. The IEG width of the blade’s concave part and convex part could be successfully controlled to within 30 μm and 21 μm, respectively. The profile deviation for the blade’s concave surface and convex surface are 49 μm and 35 μm, while the surface roughness reaches R_a = 0.149 μm and R_a = 0.196 μm, respectively. The profile accuracy of the blisk leading/trailing edges was limited to within 91 μm. Compared with the currently-established process, the profile accuracy of the blade’s concave and convex profiles was improved by 50.5 % and 53.3 %, respectively. The surface quality was improved by 53.2 % and 50.9 %, respectively. Additionally, the machined surface was covered with small corrosion pits and weak attacks of the grain boundary due to selective dissolution. Some electrolytic products were dispersed on the machined surface, and their components were mainly composed of the carbide and oxide products of Ti and Nb elements. The results indicate that the variable-parameters strategy is effective for achieving a tiny IEG in blisk ECM, which can be used in engineering practice.     

Trajectory control strategy of cathodes in blisk electrochemical machining

A turbine blisk, which combines blades and a disk together, is one of the most important components of an aero engine. In the process of blisk electrochemical machining (ECM), the sheet cathode, which is usually used as a tool electrode, has a complicated structure. In addition to that, the channel between the adjacent blades is narrow and twisted, so interference is apt to happen when the sheet cathode feeds into the channel. Therefore, it is important to choose suitable trajectory control strategy. In this paper, a new trajectory control strategy of the sheet cathode is presented and corresponding simulation analysis is conducted on the basis of an actual blisk model. The simulation results demonstrate that the sheet cathode can feed into the channel by a spatial line trajectory without interference. Moreover, the verification experiments are carried out according to the simulation. The experimental results show that the cathode can move into the channel without interference. It is verified that the new trajectory control strategy is correct and can be used in the blisk ECM process successfully.     

Cathode design investigation based on iterative correction of predicted profile errors in electrochemical machining of compressor blades

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is an effective and economical manufacturing method for machining hard-to-cut metal materials that are often used in the aerospace field. Cathode design is very complicated in ECM and is a core problem influencing machining accuracy, especially for complex profiles such as compressor blades in aero engines. A new cathode design method based on iterative correction of predicted profile errors in blade ECM is proposed in this paper. A math-ematical model is first built according to the ECM shaping law, and a simulation is then carried out using ANSYS software. A dynamic forming process is obtained and machining gap distributions at different stages are analyzed. Additionally, the simulation deviation between the prediction profile and model is improved by the new method through correcting the initial cathode profile. Further-more, validation experiments are conducted using cathodes designed before and after the simulation correction. Machining accuracy for the optimal cathode is improved markedly compared with that for the initial cathode. The experimental results illustrate the suitability of the new method and that it can also be applied to other complex engine components such as diffusers.     

基于电解扫掠成形原理的整体叶盘叶根加工方法

采用片状或管状阴极电解加工(ECM)后的整体叶盘由于加工运动、阴极形状等原因在叶根处会形成一定的加工残留,影响整体叶盘的加工精度。针对叶片电解加工后形成的叶根残留,开展去除叶根残留电解加工方法的研究,解决叶根电解加工的阴极结构、加工路径设计等难题。首先,分析了叶根的残留分布情况以及叶间通道的结构,采用了电解扫掠成形加工方案。其次,设计了阴极结构与加工路径,在阴极结构上采用了扇形流道并分析了电解液流速分布,通过增加引流槽、改变倾角等措施改善了流场;对阴极的运动路径进行了规划,利用专用仿真软件对阴极运动干涉与加工程序进行了检验;通过附加叶盘转动补偿了由于不同截面内叶间通道宽度与阴极刃口尺寸不一致给加工带来的不足。最后,制作了电解加工装置并通过试验对叶根电解加工方法进行了验证。试验结果表明,该加工方法有效去除了叶根残留,加工表面质量好,加工精度达到了要求。     

Experimental research on electrochemical machining of titanium alloy Ti60 for a blisk

Ti60(Ti–5.6Al–4.8Sn–2Zr–1Mo–0.35Si–0.7Nd) is a high-temperature titanium alloy that is now used for important components of aircraft engines. Electrochemical machining(ECM) is a promising technique that has several advantages, such as a high machining rate, and can be used on a wide range of difficult-to-process materials. In this paper, orthogonal experiments are conducted to investigate ECM of Ti60, with the aim of determining the influences of some electrochemical process parameters on the surface roughness. The most important parameter is found to be the frequency of the pulsed power supply. It is found that using suitably optimized parameters for ECM can greatly decrease the surface roughness of a workpiece. A surface roughness of approximately 0.912 lm can be obtained with the following optimal parameters: Na Cl electrolyte concentration 13wt%, voltage20 V, pulse frequency 0.4 k Hz, duty cycle 0.3, temperature 23 °C, and anode feed rate 0.5 mm/min.Furthermore, blisk blades have been successfully processed using these optimized parameters.     

开式整体叶盘四坐标高效开槽插铣工艺方法

 整体叶盘的加工余量主要是在其通道开槽粗加工阶段去除的,提高通道开槽切削效率是实现叶盘高效加工的关键。根据开式整体叶盘通道的结构特点,提出了四坐标插铣开槽高效低成本粗加工方法。通过叶盘叶片偏置面的直纹包络面逼近,确定叶盘通道粗加工区域,给出了四坐标插铣刀位轨迹生成算法。该方法有效解决了直纹面逼近的曲面边界问题,并通过对叶片偏置面的直纹逼近从根本上避免了刀位轨迹计算时误差的产生。实验表明,与传统的侧铣开槽粗加工相比,采用四坐标插铣方式切削力可降低60%,粗加工效率可提高1倍以上。     

整体叶盘抛光技术的研究现状及发展趋势

整体叶盘的表面质量和型面精度对航空发动机的气流动力性和使用性能影响巨大,而抛光是保证整体叶盘最终表面质量及型面精度的关键技术。针对目前国外对整体叶盘抛光技术及装备的严格保密、国内整体叶盘的抛光仍然广泛采用人工打磨的现状,对整体叶盘的抛光技术研究现状及发展趋势进行归纳总结,为整体叶盘的抛光及其自动化的发展提供参考。首先,概述了整体叶盘抛光加工的必要性及其重要性,分别从整体叶盘结构特性、材料特性和曲面特性等方面分析了整体叶盘的抛光工艺,并介绍了整体叶盘抛光工艺要求。然后,就整体叶盘磨料流加工、电解加工、砂带抛光等方面概述了国内外整体叶盘抛光技术及装备的研究现状,在此基础上提出了制约整体叶盘型面抛光技术发展的关键问题及其研究内容和解决方案。最后,根据整体叶盘的技术现状及核心关键问题指出了整体叶盘抛光技术的发展趋势。     

Analysis and control of inter-electrode gap during leveling process in counter-rotating electrochemical machining

The inter-electrode gap (IEG) is an essential parameter for the anode shaping process in electrochemical machining (ECM) and directly affects the machining accuracy. In this paper, the IEG during the leveling process of an oval anode workpiece in counter-rotating ECM (CRECM) is investigated. The variation of the minimum IEG is analyzed theoretically, and the results indicate that rather than reaching equilibrium, the minimum IEG in CRECM expands constantly when a constant feed speed is used for the cathode tool. This IEG expansion leads to a poor localization effect and has an adverse influence on the roundness of the machined workpiece. To maintain a small constant IEG in CRECM, a variable feed speed is used for the cathode based on a fitted equation. The theoretical results show that the minimum IEG can be controlled at a small value by using an accelerated feed speed. Experiments have been conducted using a specific experimental apparatus in which the cathode tool is designed as a combined structure of two sectors and a thin sheet. By detecting the machining currents flowing through the minimum IEG, how the latter varies is obtained indirectly. The results indicate that using an accelerated feed speed is effective for controlling the IEG, thereby improving the roundness of the machined workpiece.     

Flow field design and experimental investigation of electrochemical machining on blisk

Flow field is a crucial factor to influence the stability and surface quality in the electrochemical machining (ECM) of blisks. A four-way flow mode was proposed to eliminate mixing regions of electrolyte at the leading and tailing edges. Two flow field models were described separately in this report: a W-shaped flow mode and a four-way flow mode. The flow field was analyzed through a finite element method. The results showed that, in comparison with the W-shaped flow mode, the distribution of electrolyte flow was more uniformed and the mixed region in the flow channel was improved. The pressure of the leading and tailing edges inlets was optimized, and optimal pressure of 0.6 MPa was determined. In addition, verification experiments were performed, and the results showed that the stability, efficiency, and quality of the profiles of the blisk blade manufactured by ECM were enhanced in the new flow mode.     

Simulation and experimental investigation of inner-jet electrochemical grinding of GH4169 alloy

GH4169 alloy is one of the most commonly used materials in aero engine turbine blades, but its machinability is poor because of its excellent strength at high temperatures. Electrochemical machining (ECM) has become a common method for machining this alloy and other difficult-to-machine materials. Electrochemical grinding (ECG) is a hybrid process combining ECM and conventional grinding. In this paper, investigations conducted on inner-jet ECG of GH4169 alloy are described. Two types of inner-jet ECG grinding wheels were used to machine a flat bottom surface. The machining process was simulated using COMSOL software, and machining gaps under different machining parameters were obtained. In addition, maximum feed rates and maximum material removal rates under different machining parameters were studied experimentally. The maximum sizes and the uniformity of the distributions of the gaps machined by the two grinding wheels were compared. The effects of different applied voltages on the machining results were also investigated.     

Convex shaping process simulation during counter-rotating electrochemical machining by using the finite element method

In counter-rotating electrochemical machining(CRECM), a revolving cathode tool with hollow windows of various shapes is used to fabricate convex structures on a revolving part. During this process, the anode workpiece and the cathode tool rotate relative to each other at the same rotation speed. In contrast to the conventional schemes of ECM machining with linear motion of a block tool electrode, this scheme of ECM is unique, and has not been adequately studied yet. In this paper, the finite element method(FEM) is used to simulate the anode shaping process during CRECM, and the simulation process which involves a meshing model, a moving boundary,and a simulation algorithm is described. The simulated anode profiles of the convex structure at different processing times show that the CRECM process can be used to fabricate convex structures of various shapes with different heights. Besides, the variation of the inter-electrode gap indicates that this process can also reach a relative equilibrium state like that in conventional ECM. A rectangular convex and a circular convex are successfully fabricated on revolving parts. The experimental results indicate relatively good agreement with the simulation results. The proposed simulation process is valid for convex shaping prediction and feasibility studies as well.     

Electrochemical machining of a convex strips structure on a revolving part by using site directed power interruption

Revolving parts with complex surface structures are widely used in machinery and mechanical equipment. The ECM process provides its adequacy to cut hard materials with different shapes, and its applications are widely increased, due to its outstanding advantages. In this paper, a new method for machining a convex strips structure on a cylinder by using site directed power interruption(SDPI) in the ECM process is presented. A variable correction value of the power-off time was defined and optimized to obtain the ideal interval for better machining accuracy and stability.The electric field distribution and the simulated convex profiles show that the stray current density can be reduced effectively by using the proposed method. The correction value has an important influence on the machining accuracy. A suitable correction value in the range of 0.6–1.2 s can effectively improve the machining accuracy of the convex strips structure. Experiments were also conducted to verify the proposed method. Results have confirmed that the stray corrosion on the convex strips surface is significantly reduced and the machining accuracy of convex strips structure is remarkably improved by using the proposed method with a suitable correction value in the ECM process. Finally, a convex strip with a height of 2 mm on a thin-wall revolving part was also produced successfully using a correction value of 0.9.     

基于精益6滓的航空高强钢零件大尺寸面轮廓度 数控加工参数优化

针对某航空高强钢零件大尺寸面轮廓度数控加工合格率较低问题,利用精益6σ方法,依据DMAIC的研究路径,充分运用箱线图、等方差检验、单因子方差分析等方法和工具,分析了“人、机、料、法、环、测”6大方面的操作者、加工刀具、装夹方式、主轴转速、切削量、进给速度、切削方式7个因素,确定刀具尺寸、切削量、进给速度为关键影响因素;通过建立面轮廓度与7个影响因素之间的GLM模型,得出影响流程输出的3个关键影响因素的最佳组合,并在此基础上对工艺参数进行优化。结果表明:该零件的数控加工工艺流程改进后,减少了加工过程中的人工调试检查环节,缩短了加工调试验证时间,大尺寸面轮廓度数控加工合格率从80%提高到96%以上,取得了较好的经济效益。     

Simulation and experimental investigation on a dynamic lateral flow mode in trepanning electrochemical machining

An appropriate flow mode of electrolyte has a positive effect on process efficiency, surface roughness, and machining accuracy in the electrochemical machining(ECM) process. In this study, a new dynamic lateral flow mode, in which the electrolyte flows from the leading edge to the trailing edge, was proposed in trepanning ECM of a diffuser. Then a numerical model of the channel was set up and simulated by using computational fluid dynamics software. The result showed that the distribution of the flow field was comparatively uniform in the inter-electrode gap. Furthermore, a fixture was designed to realize this new flow mode and then corresponding experiments were carried out. The experimental results illustrated that the feeding rate of the cathode reached 2 mm/min, the best taper angle was about 0.4°, and the best surface roughness was up to Ra= 0.115 lm. It reflects that this flow mode is suitable and effective, and can also be applied to machining other complex structures in trepanning ECM.     

Electrochemical trepanning with uniform electrolyte flow around the entire blade profile

In the traditional machining process for diffusers, blades are easily deformed, and methods suffer from high tool wear and low efficiency. Electrochemical machining(ECM) possesses unique advantages when applied to these difficult-to-machine materials. In the ECM process, theflow field plays a crucial role. Here, an electrolyte flow mode that supplies uniform flow around the entire blade profile was adopted for electrochemical trepanning of diffusers. Various flow rates were employed to obtain the optimal flow field. Simulations were conducted using ANSYS software, and results indicated that increasing the flow rate substantially afforded a more uniform flowfield. A series of experiments was then performed, and results revealed that increasing the flow rate greatly improved both the machining efficiency and the surface quality of the diffusers. The maximum feeding rate of the cathode reached 4 mm/min, the blade taper of the concave part decreased to 0.02, and the blade roughness was reduced to 1.216 lm. The results of this study demonstrated the high feasibility of this method and its potential for machining other complex components for engineering applications.     

Electrode design using revolving entity extraction for high-efficiency electric discharge machining of integral shrouded blisk

The integral shrouded blisk provides better performance with minimum weight, but its semi-open structure presents problems for its production. Manufacturing processes of these components require a removal of about 70%-90% of material from their blanks. Multi-axis electrical discharge machining (EDM) is commonly used for these processes, but its poor efficiency cannot meet the requirements of mass production. Strong flushing assisted high-current discharge is able to improve the machining efficiency. In this paper, this method was applied to manufacture the integral shrouded blisk. An electrode design method was proposed. Taking the largest revolving entity inside the flow channel as the base geometry, this laminated arc-shaped hollow electrode meets the requirements such as high pressure flushing, tool wear compensation, and easy to be made. A 4-axis linkage machining tool path with planetary motion was proposed. Taking an integral guide vane ring as an example, it has been experimentally verified that the time consumption for each channel using this method was reduced to a half of the ordinary EDM method, while the finished surface quality remains same.     

整体叶盘叶型电解加工流场设计及实验简

 电解加工（ECM）是航空发动机整体叶盘制造的主要技术之一,其电解液流场稳定性是影响电解加工精度和表面质量的核心因素。本文在分析原有的二维流场基础上,针对流体在不同流道截面下的流场状态,提出了一种三维复合电解液流场模式,即三股电解液分别从毛坯进气边、叶盆叶根、叶背叶根流入,由排气边交汇流出。采用有限元法对三维复合流场及两类二维流场开展仿真分析,分析结果表明三维复合流场改善了流道突变区域流场状态,有效抑制了二维流场的流场缺陷,有助于提高流场稳定性。对加工区液体流态进行了判断,其结果显示三维复合流场可以满足电解加工要求。开展了3种流场模式的加工速度比较实验,三维复合流场达到的进给速度最高,较二维流场可显著提升加工效率。采用三维复合流场开展了多叶片扇段加工,获得了较好的重复精度与表面质量。     

Experimental investigation of rotary sinking electrochemical discharge milling with high-conductivity salt solution and non-pulsed direct current

Electrochemical milling is a modified technique of traditional electrochemical machining (ECM) that can be used to manufacture some helicopter transmission system parts. The use of rotary tools and an inner-jet electrolyte supply pattern can greatly improve the material removal rate (MRR) in a single pass. However, the feed speed is generally limited to minimize the tool wear. To increase the MRR, electrical discharge machining (EDM) is introduced into the electrochemical milling process. The tool rotation is employed to interrupt the discharge and the high-conductivity salt solution and non-pulsed direct current power supply are also adopted to increase ECM, eventually, a new machining method is proposed, which can be called rotary sinking electrochemical discharge milling (RSECD milling). The mechanism of it is explored in this study by analyzing the machined current, MRR, surface morphology, and tool wear at different applied voltages and feed speeds. Besides, the RSECD milling using the tool with a larger diameter is also conducted to further verify the effectiveness. In particular, the MRR can be increased by 742.5% when using the tool with a diameter of 20 mm at the applied voltage of 20 V.     

Four-axis trochoidal toolpath planning for rough milling of aero-engine blisks

The Blade Integrated Disk (Blisk) is one of the key components in the aero-engine, it is generally manufactured by the multi-axis milling and almost 90% raw materials are removed. To avoid the full immersion of a cutter in the rough machining of a blisk channel, the trochoidal milling is a promising strategy since it can keep a small immersion angle in the rough milling process while maintaining the high machining efficiency. However, while toolpaths are being planned for the trochoidal milling process, the conventional methods are mainly for the planar machining area with fixed tool orientations, which cannot be used for complex channels where the multi-axis machining should be employed. To this end, this paper presents a four-axis trochoidal toolpath planning method with a ball-end cutter, and thus the blisk channel can be machined efficiently. For this to happen, the trochoidal paths are planned in the parametric domain and then mapped into the physical domain, with tool orientations controlled by the quaternion interpolation method to have smooth tool movement along the toolpaths. Both geometric simulation and physical milling experiments of the proposed method have convincingly demonstrated the validation of the proposed method.     

整体叶盘叶型电解加工流场设计及实验

电解加工（ECM）是航空发动机整体叶盘制造的主要技术之一,其电解液流场稳定性是影响电解加工精度和表面质量的核心因素。本文在分析原有的二维流场基础上,针对流体在不同流道截面下的流场状态,提出了一种三维复合电解液流场模式,即三股电解液分别从毛坯进气边、叶盆叶根、叶背叶根流入,由排气边交汇流出。采用有限元法对三维复合流场及两类二维流场开展仿真分析,分析结果表明三维复合流场改善了流道突变区域流场状态,有效抑制了二维流场的流场缺陷,有助于提高流场稳定性。对加工区液体流态进行了判断,其结果显示三维复合流场可以满足电解加工要求。开展了3种流场模式的加工速度比较实验,三维复合流场达到的进给速度最高,较二维流场可显著提升加工效率。采用三维复合流场开展了多叶片扇段加工,获得了较好的重复精度与表面质量。