Radial Surface Grinding

for Vane, Nozzle, Duct, Shroud, Seal Segments or Rings

Huffman Corporation offers multi-axis, superabrasive grinders that are used extensively in the turbine component manufacturing and repair markets.

Huffman machines are especially productive on components like Vane and Nozzle Segments, and Shroud, Seal and Duct Segments. These components are similar in that they have a complex cross-section consisting of many individual surfaces, including grooves that are then 'swept' along an arc around an engine centerline.

An Aero-Engine Vane Segment Example

Five grinding wheels are mounted on a single wheel arbor. Three fixtures are mounted on the rotary work table. The result: 24 surfaces are ground — leading edge, trailing edge and mate face surfaces — in a single grinding cycle. Total grinding time is 15 minutes. The proper application of superabrasive wheel technology, fixturing, grinding fluids, and programming on a precise, reliable Huffman machine enable single part flow, replacing batch flow on large rotary grinders.

A Shroud Segment Example

Again replacing several very large rotary grinders, Huffman grinds a complete part in one cycle. Four grinding wheels are mounted on a single wheel arbor. A single part is fixtured on the face of the rotary work head. Five complex surfaces including the I.D., forward edge groove, aft edge groove, and two 'ship lap' surfaces are ground complete. Cycle time: 9 minutes.

Combining operations on a Huffman machine collapsed throughput time, inventory and floor space requirements, and improved part quality.

Cycle Times

Of course cycle times depend on component size, amount of material removed, material removal rates and number of features. Cycle times range from 8 minutes for a small aeroengine shroud segment to 30 minutes for an IGT nozzle segment. Total Cost and Throughput Time savings are equally important measures.