Efficient machining of complex-shaped seal slots for turbomachinery. Issue 1 (2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maradia, Umang; Kliuev, Mikhail; Baumgart, Christoph
• Is Part Of: CIRP annals. Volume 67:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2018
• Subjects: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) -- Surface integrity -- Seal slots; Production engineering -- Research -- Periodicals; 670.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cirp.2018.04.099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-8506

Abstract

Abstract: Complex sealing arrangement in turbomachinery can increase turbine efficiency by reducing leakage of high-pressure cooling flows into the hot gas path. While die-sinking EDM is widely used to machine straight seal slots, electrode preparation and wear make it less efficient for complex shapes. This paper presents research on optimisation of a variant of EDM milling using process control and fluid dynamics simulation to exploit optimal machining conditions. The analysis demonstrates a stable process to machine complex shaped slots by focusing on the key requirements for large-scale turbomachinery component manufacture, namely productivity, surface integrity and process monitoring.