Abstract:
A method for repairing one or more holes in a near wall of a component is provided. The method includes determining updated hole information, including an updated location, of a first hole in the near wall of the component. The method also includes directing a confined laser beam of the confined laser drill towards the near wall of the component at the updated location of the first hole to drill through a coating of the component extending over and/or positioned in the first hole. The method also includes sensing a characteristic of light reflected from the updated location of the first hole and determining the confined laser beam of the confined laser drill has drilled through a portion of the coating of the component extending over and/or positioned in the first hole based on the sensed characteristic of light.
Abstract:
A system and method for additive manufacturing an object using multiple lasers is disclosed herein. The system includes a first laser generating a first focused laser beam having a first surface area where the first focused laser beam is directed onto a first quantity of a powder material on a substrate so as to fuse particles of the powder material in a first layer of the substrate. A second laser generating a second focused laser beam having a second surface area where the second laser beam is directed onto a second quantity of the powder material on the substrate so as to fuse particles of the powder material in the first layer of the substrate. The first surface area of the first focused laser beam is greater than the second surface area of the second focused laser beam.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an airfoil includes confining an unfocused laser beam inside a first fluid column to create a confined laser beam, directing the confined laser beam at a surface of the airfoil, and penetrating the surface of the airfoil with the confined laser beam. The method further includes detecting penetration of the confined laser beam through the surface of the airfoil via an optical sensor disposed within a cavity defined within the airfoil.
Abstract:
A system for forming a passage in an airfoil includes a liquid-jet guided laser that generates a laser beam confined within a fluid column, and a purge medium supply that is fluidly coupled to an aperture of the airfoil. A purge medium flows from the purge medium supply in a flow direction that is substantially parallel to an inner surface of the inner cavity. A controller is configured to direct the liquid-jet guided laser to cut a first passage through the outer surface. A centerline of the passage forms an acute angle with respect to the purge medium flow direction. The first passage is formed at a first radial position that is radially distal to the aperture. A method for forming passages in an airfoil using the system described herein is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for drilling a hole in a component is provided. The method includes directing a confined laser beam of a confined laser drill towards a near wall of the component and sensing a first characteristic of light from the hole in the near wall of the component with a first sensor positioned outside the component. The method also includes sensing a second characteristic of light from the hole in the near wall the component with a second sensor. The second characteristic of light is different from the first characteristic of light. Additionally, the method includes determining a hole progress based on the sensed first characteristic of light and the sensed second characteristic of light.
Abstract:
A system for forming a cooling hole in an airfoil includes a liquid-jet guided laser. The liquid-jet guided laser generates a laser beam confined within a fluid column. The fluid column/laser beam is directed at an outer surface of the airfoil. The system also includes a purge medium supply that is fluidly coupled to an aperture of the airfoil. The purge medium supply provides a purge medium into an inner cavity of the airfoil. The purge medium flow is oriented to flow in a flow direction that is substantially parallel to an inner surface of the cavity. A cooling hole is formed in the airfoil and extends through the outer surface and penetrates the inner surface of the cavity. A centerline of the cooling hole forms an acute angle with respect to the purge medium flow direction. The system described herein provides a method for manufacturing an airfoil.
Abstract:
Various embodiments include methods and related systems for laser-assisted casting. Some embodiments include a method including: performing laser ablation to a preliminary wax casting model to form a modified wax model including at least one surface texture element absent from the wax casting substrate; coating the modified wax model to form a mold shape around the modified wax model; and removing the modified wax model to leave a casting mold including the at least one surface texture element.
Abstract:
A welding process, welding system and welded article are disclosed. The welding process includes directing energy from one or more fusion beams to join a first element to a second element and to join the first element to a third element. The directing of the energy is at a first lateral angle and a second lateral angle with respect to the first element. The welding system includes an energy emitting device, a first fusion beam and a second fusion beam. The first fusion beam and the second fusion beam are oriented to extend diagonally through an article. The laser welded article includes the first element joined to the second element, and the first element joined to the third element. A fillet weld is formed in a first inaccessible portion between the first element and the second element and a second inaccessible portion between the first element and the third element.
Abstract:
Various embodiments include methods and related systems for laser-assisted casting. Some embodiments include a method including: performing laser ablation to a preliminary wax casting model to form a modified wax model including at least one cooling hole absent from the wax casting substrate; coating the modified wax model to form a mold shape around the modified wax model; and removing the modified wax model to leave a casting mold including the at least one cooling hole.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides a shield for use in a liquid guided laser system and related method of use. The shield comprises a rigid body with a target facing surface. The rigid body defines a through hole with a diameter that accommodates a liquid guided laser path. The rigid body has a thickness that defines a length of the liquid guided laser path through the rigid body. The thickness of the rigid body is at least twice the diameter of the through hole. The rigid body is positioned in the liquid guided laser path of the liquid guided laser system between a discharge nozzle of the liquid guided laser system and a target.