Research summary
Aero-engine turbine blades operate under harsh environments characterized by high temperatures and pressures, and the high cost of replacing damaged parts makes repairing them a more cost-effective (and sustainable) solution. Additive manufacturing-machining technology has emerged as a promising solution to repairing turbine blades. However, to take advantage of this technology, we need a better understanding of the process mechanisms and uncertainties in individual damaged sections and the process conditions during manufacturing.
As Canada Research Chair in Advanced Manufacturing, Dr. Xiaoliang Jin is using hybrid additive manufacturing-machining with adaptive capability to enhance process efficiency and the quality of parts in repairing or remanufacturing turbine blades. Using physics-based modelling and data-driven approaches, he and his research team are generating new knowledge to determine the residual stress evolution in hybrid manufacturing, which directly governs a repaired part’s quality. They are also creating a system that adjusts the process automatically to make it faster and ensure consistent quality.