Abstract: A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system for enhancing build parameters of a DMLM component includes a confocal optical system configured to measure at least one of a melt pool size and a melt pool temperature. The DMLM system further includes a computing device configured to receive at least one of the melt pool size or the melt pool temperature from the confocal optical system. Furthermore, the DMLM system includes a controller configured to control the operation of a laser device based on at least one build parameter.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a component includes an additive manufacturing device and a computing device. The additive manufacturing device is configured to fabricate a first component by sequentially forming a plurality of superposed layers based upon a nominal digital representation of a second component, which includes a plurality of nominal digital two-dimensional cross-sections, each corresponding to a layer of the first component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of both semantic analysis and statistical text mining to process data records, improving the completeness and accuracy of records so processed. By way of example, a data record may be iteratively processed by text mining using seeds derived from a semantic template and by validating the results based on semantic reasoning based on the semantic template.

Abstract: Methods for testing turbine blades. One method for testing turbine blades includes measuring dimensions of each of a first set of turbine blades. The method also includes testing airflow through first openings in each of the first set of turbine blades to determine airflow properties of each of the first set of turbine blades. The method includes determining a relationship between the dimensions and the airflow properties of each of the first set of turbine blades. The method includes measuring dimensions of each of a second set of turbine blades. The method also includes determining airflow properties for each of the second set of turbine blades based at least partially on the dimensions of the second set of turbine blades and the relationship.

Abstract: A method of repair includes removing a deformed portion of a component to define a native component portion and adding a replacement portion to the native component portion. The replacement portion is adaptively machined based on one or more parameters of the native component portion and based on one or more original design parameters of the component.

Abstract: A method of repair includes removing a deformed portion of a component to define a native component portion and adding a replacement portion to the native component portion. The replacement portion is adaptively machined based on one or more parameters of the native component portion and based on one or more original design parameters of the component.

Abstract: A server for use in selecting a workscope for a system includes a prediction tool configured to identify a plurality of workscopes for the system, wherein each workscope defines a plurality of maintenance activities for a plurality of components of the system. The server also includes a financial model tool coupled to the prediction tool, and an analyzer tool coupled to the prediction tool and the financial model tool. The financial model tool is configured to receive the plurality of workscopes and determine an expected financial impact of the maintenance activities of each workscope for a plurality of future maintenance events. The analyzer tool is configured to receive the plurality of workscopes from the prediction tool, receive the expected financial impact of the maintenance activities from the financial model tool, and determine an expected effect of each workscope during a predefined time interval that includes the future maintenance events.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a turbine is provided. The method comprises monitoring a turbine engine having a plurality of engine modules and determining one or more health estimates, which may included trended data, for one or more of the engine modules, based on a plurality of engine parameters. The method further determining and transmitting appropriate notifications that indicate repairs to be made to the turbine engine.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing an in-process part is provided. The method includes manufacturing one or more primary features of the in-process part. The method also includes measuring multiple locations and attributes of the manufactured in-process part including the primary features. The method further includes designing multiple optimal locations and attributes of multiple secondary features of the in-process part based on the measured locations and attributes of the manufactured in-process part and the primary features. The method also includes manufacturing one or more secondary features of the in-process part based on the optimal design locations and attributes of the secondary features.

Abstract: A method of repair includes removing a deformed portion of a component to define a native component portion and adding a replacement portion to the native component portion. The replacement portion is adaptively machined based on one or more parameters of the native component portion and based on one or more original design parameters of the component.

Abstract: A method for planning repair of an engine is provided. The method comprises monitoring an engine having a plurality of engine modules and determining one or more module-specific health estimates for one or more of the engine modules, based on a plurality of engine parameters. The method further comprises planning repair of the engine based on one or more of the module-specific health estimates determined for one or more of the engine modules.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more thermal forming treatments may be predicted to achieve a desired shape and/or microstructure in a workpiece.

Abstract: A fixture to facilitate positioning a gas turbine engine component. The fixture includes a stationary portion including at least one stationary datum locator extending outward from the stationary portion. The fixture also includes a movable portion including at least one movable datum locator extending from the movable portion. The at least one movable datum locator is substantially parallel to each of the at least one stationary datum locator. The movable portion is movable in a direction that is away from the stationary portion.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: A method for processing one or more manufactured parts is provided. The method includes generating a number of tool paths corresponding to a feature to be added to the one or more manufactured parts. Each of the tool paths has an effect on a respective one of the representative manufactured parts. The method further includes clustering the tool paths into a number of clusters based on the respective effect and a tolerance of the feature being added to the representative manufactured part and processing a manufactured part using one of the tool paths, which corresponds to a respective subpopulation in which the manufactured part lies.

Abstract: A method for processing one or more manufactured parts is provided. The method includes generating a number of tool paths corresponding to a feature to be added to the one or more manufactured parts. Each of the tool paths has an effect on a respective one of the representative manufactured parts. The method further includes clustering the tool paths into a number of clusters based on the respective effect and a tolerance of the feature being added to the representative manufactured part and processing a manufactured part using one of the tool paths, which corresponds to a respective subpopulation in which the manufactured part lies.

Abstract: A method of nesting a computer model of a part (100) into a computer model of a fixture (104) useful for situations where the original positions of the part and fixture are completely separate and for situations where the respective part and fixture surfaces overlap. The model of the fixture is first inset by a distance D sufficient to eliminate any overlap between the modeled surfaces. The minimum normal distance segment (105) between the inset fixture surface and the part surface may then be determined using standard CAD system capabilities. A vector is then constructed having a length D beginning at the minimum distance point 111 on the inset fixture surface (107) and extending in the direction of the minimum normal distance segment (105) to a point (112) on the original fixture model surface (106). The minimum distance segment between point (112) and the surface of the part (102) is then determined to identify a point (114). The respective point pair (112,114) is recorded.

Abstract: A method (28) for manufacturing a precision part (18) utilizing a non-precision fixture (10). The non-precision fixture is precisely measured (40) and modeled in a CAD program (42) together with a model of the part (30). The part model is nested (48) into the fixture model, and a transformation matrix describing the movement of a coordinate system of the part during the step of nesting is recorded (50). The transformation matrix may then be used to transform (52) a tool path that had been developed for the originally designed shape of the fixture. Accordingly, imprecision in the location of a part within an imprecisely measured fixture may be accounted for during subsequent manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A method and system for dual laser shock peening an article are provided. The method allows for defining a spot pattern comprising a plurality of spots on a first surface of the article to be peened. The method further allows for defining a spot pattern comprising a plurality of spots on a second surface of the article to be peened. The first and second surfaces comprise mutually opposite surfaces relative to one another. Each one of the respective spots on the second surface is arranged to correspond to a respective spot on the first surface and comprising a plurality of matched pair of spots. A generating step allows for generating dual laser beams being respectively aligned to simultaneously impinge on each respective matched pair of spots.