Abstract: Plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts and methods for fabricating lightweight plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts are disclosed. The parts include a polymeric substrate plated with one or more metal layers. The polymeric material of the polymeric substrate may be structurally reinforced with materials that may include carbon, metal, or glass. The polymeric substrate may also include a plurality of layers to form a composite layup structure.

Abstract: A roller conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of tapered tubular rollers, each rotatably mounted on an axle. The roller axles are supported by a frame so that, in one embodiment, the rollers are arranged to form a conveyor turn segment. A drive wheel, also mounted on the axle, is associated with each roller to provide a friction surface operating against one end of the roller for rotation of the roller. A spring load assembly at the other end of the roller controls the frictional contact between the roller and the drive wheel. The drive wheel for each of the plurality of rollers is driven by a friction drive assembly including a sprocket horizontally supported beneath the drive wheel. A drive tire is mounted on the sprocket so that the tire surface contacts the drive wheel. A chain, driven by a single motor and drive sprocket, engages the sprocket of each friction drive assembly to rotate the sprocket, and therefore the drive tire.