The present invention relates to a method for restoring and producing geometrically complex components, as well as to a device for implementing these methods.
Especially in the flow channel region of gas turbines, components are subject to wear by oxidation, corrosion and erosion. Extensive deformations, cracks and holes may occur, repair or replacement becoming necessary after a certain degree of damage. Component parts such as blades are relatively easy to replace or restore in an uninstalled state. However, there are also complex, integral components such as housing sections having pipe-like, concentric wall elements and having multiple braces connecting the latter, with respect to which a repair is normally preferred over a complete replacement for reasons of costs or with respect to which the production of new parts is already difficult. There are also cases where such components already have unacceptable defects in new condition. In such cases, a repair of the expensive parts is desired as well. Damage and defects may also occur in regions that are difficult to access for tools such as cutting and welding equipment. It is conventional to use laser energy for cutting out defective pieces and for welding in replacement pieces. Standard focusing heads of industrially used laser equipment are too large on account of auto focus and rotational axes and are thus not suited for use in narrowly confined spaces.
An example embodiment of the present invention may provide a method including a device for restoring and producing geometrically complex components having regions of limited access using laser technology, as a result of which repairs and production may become more cost-effective, may be more precisely reproducible and achievable with less welding shrinkage or in many cases may become possible for the first time.
During the entire machining process, a space-saving special adapter in the form of a so-called tube or a holder having a light guide, by which the laser beam may be guided, deflected and focused on the cutting or welding zone. For this purpose, the special adapter has an adjustable focusing device. The special adapter and thus the laser beam is moved in a CNC-controlled manner, the path data remaining the same in cutting and in welding.
Example embodiments of the present invention are explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended Figures.
The component 7 illustrated in
According to the top part of
According to the bottom part of
In all of the machining steps illustrated, the same tube 1 or the same holder 12 having light guide 11 is used, component 7 remains in one and the same clamped support, and the repair part may be located near component 7 such that it may be machined without great travel of tube 1.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10308979.9 | Feb 2003 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/DE03/04280 | 12/23/2003 | WO | 6/20/2006 |