Abstract: Systems and methods for machining openings of a component are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a laser system includes features for machining an opening into a component, such as a cooling hole for a CMC component of a gas turbine engine. The component can be oriented in a first position and lasered while oriented in the first position to form a portion of the opening. The component is then oriented to a second position and lasered while oriented in the second position to form another portion of the opening. The component is alternated between the first and second positions until the predetermined geometry of the opening is formed. The component is oriented in the first and second positions such that the laser beam can machine the component without clipping areas that are not desired to be machined.

Abstract: A thermal control apparatus including a body defining a centerline axis extended along a height and a circumferential direction extended relative to the centerline axis. The body forms a flow circuit therethrough, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening each in fluid communication with the flow circuit. The flow circuit is extended in parallel flow arrangement along the circumferential direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A cavity is extended at least partially through the body along the centerline axis. A thermal control system includes the thermal control apparatus, a fluid flow device configured to provide a flow of heat transfer fluid to the apparatus through the inlet opening and to receive the flow of heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening of the apparatus, and a flow conduit providing fluid communication of the flow of heat transfer fluid between the fluid flow device and the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of aligning at least one laser beam of an additive manufacturing arrangement. The method includes measuring a surface of the calibration plate at a plurality of measurement points using the coordinate measuring machine. The method further includes generating a correction field based on the plurality of measurement points using the coordinate measuring machine. The method further includes writing at least one fiducial mark on the surface of the calibration plate using the at least one laser beam. The method further includes generating calibration data for the surface of the calibration plate using the calibration system. The method also includes aligning the laser beam within the additive manufacturing system based on the calibration data and the correction field using the computing device by comparing a position of the fiducial mark from the calibration data with the correction field to determine a corrected position of the laser beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for machining openings of a component are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a laser system includes features for machining an opening into a component, such as a cooling hole for a CMC component of a gas turbine engine. The component can be oriented in a first position and lasered while oriented in the first position to form a portion of the opening. The component is then oriented to a second position and lasered while oriented in the second position to form another portion of the opening. The component is alternated between the first and second positions until the predetermined geometry of the opening is formed. The component is oriented in the first and second positions such that the laser beam can machine the component without clipping areas that are not desired to be machined.

Abstract: A system for determining accessibility of a tool to an object is provided. The system provides for selecting one or more sections on the object to be laser shock peened, selecting a region of interest on the one or more sections and determining a set of feasible solutions to access the selected region of interest on each of the one or more sections via use of an accessibility system.

Abstract: A system for determining accessibility of a tool to an object is provided. The system provides for selecting one or more sections on the object to be laser shock peened, selecting a region of interest on the one or more sections and determining a set of feasible solutions to access the selected region of interest on each of the one or more sections via use of an accessibility system.

Abstract: A method for determining accessibility of a tool to an object is provided. The method provides for selecting one or more sections on the object to be laser shock peened, selecting a region of interest on the one or more sections and determining a set of feasible solutions to access the selected region of interest on each of the one or more sections via use of an accessibility system. Systems and computer programs that afford functionality of the type defined by this method may be provided by the present technique.

Abstract: A continuous motion laser shock peening apparatus and method for laser shock peening a workpiece. A laser controller modulates and fires a laser beam from a laser unit. A motion controller is controllably connected to a manipulator and to the laser controller to fire the laser beam based on axis position feedback from a speed control of the motion controller. The laser controller has a standby mode for flashing a laser flash lamp at a flash rate without triggering the laser beam and a firing mode that triggers and fires the laser beam in laser beam pulses. The laser controller includes a synchronizing means for synchronizing a triggering signal provided to the laser interface controller by the computerized motion controller to fire the laser beam pulses and the flash rate substantially at a time when the laser beam pulses are to be generated.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously laser shock peening opposite laser shock peening surfaces on opposite sides of an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness using oppositely aimed laser beams and varying surface fluence of the laser beams over the laser shock peening surfaces as a function of the thickness of the article beneath each one of a plurality of laser shock peened spots formed by the beams on the surfaces. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. Laser beam energy may be varied with a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method for determining accessibility of a tool to an object is provided. The method provides for selecting one or more sections on the object to be laser shock peened, selecting a region of interest on the one or more sections and determining a set of feasible solutions to access the selected region of interest on each of the one or more sections via use of an accessibility system. Systems and computer programs that afford functionality of the type defined by this method may be provided by the present technique.

Abstract: A laser shock peening system including a workpiece is provided. The laser shock peening system includes a workholding fixture configured to hold the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a laser source configured to emit multiple laser beam pulses on the workpiece. The laser shock peening system further includes an absorptive layer disposed on the workpiece, the absorptive layer configured to absorb the laser beam pulses from the laser source into the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a transparent constraining layer disposed between the laser source and the absorptive layer. The transparent constraining layer is also configured to provide a pressure medium configured to direct multiple reflected laser generated shock waves from the workpiece back into the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a transducer disposed on the workholding fixture and configured to detect multiple acoustic signals emitted from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously laser shock peening opposite laser shock peening surfaces on opposite sides of an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness using oppositely aimed laser beams and varying surface fluence of the laser beams over the laser shock peening surfaces as a function of the thickness of the article beneath each one of a plurality of laser shock peened spots formed by the beams on the surfaces. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. Laser beam energy may be varied with a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method for laser shock peening an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness by varying a surface fluence of a laser beam over a laser shock peening surface as a function of the thickness beneath a laser shock peened spot formed by the beam on the surface. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. The method may include varying energy in the laser beam using a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam. A device such as an optical attenuator external to a laser performing firing may be used to vary the energy.

Abstract: A laser shock peening system including a workpiece is provided. The laser shock peening system includes a workholding fixture configured to hold the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a laser source configured to emit multiple laser beam pulses on the workpiece. The laser shock peening system further includes an absorptive layer disposed on the workpiece, the absorptive layer configured to absorb the laser beam pulses from the laser source into the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a transparent constraining layer disposed between the laser source and the absorptive layer. The transparent constraining layer is also configured to provide a pressure medium configured to direct multiple reflected laser generated shock waves from the workpiece back into the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a transducer disposed on the workholding fixture and configured to detect multiple acoustic signals emitted from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for laser shock peening an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness by varying a surface fluence of a laser beam over a laser shock peening surface as a function of the thickness beneath a laser shock peened spot formed by the beam on the surface. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. The method may include varying energy in the laser beam using a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam. A device such as an optical attenuator external to a laser performing firing may be used to vary the energy.

Abstract: A process of removing ceramic deposits from a surface hole in a component, a particular example being portions of a ceramic coating deposited on a surface of a component equipped with cooling holes. The process makes use of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser operated with parameters that avoid delamination, cracking or otherwise damaging a ceramic coating surrounding a cooling hole. The laser is operated to generate a laser beam that removes some of the ceramic deposit from the hole while a residual portion of the ceramic deposit remains surrounding the hole to define a surface opening.

Abstract: A process of removing ceramic deposits from a surface hole in a component, a particular example being portions of a ceramic coating deposited on a surface of a component equipped with cooling holes. The process makes use of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser operated with parameters that avoid delamination, cracking or otherwise damaging a ceramic coating surrounding a cooling hole. The laser is operated to generate a laser beam that removes some of the ceramic deposit from the hole while a residual portion of the ceramic deposit remains surrounding the hole to define a surface opening.