
Aerospace, Part 3 â Drag Finishing for Airbus Helicopters
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The aerospace industry demands high repeatability and adherence to strict production tolerances. As we discovered in Aerospace, Part 2, Rosler Metal Finishingâs drag finishing systems produce exact results every time.
Airbus
Helicopters
After using Rosler drag finishing systems for a number of years, Airbus Helicopters knew just who to turn to for help with a new helicopter model.
We
took on the challenging task of finishing larger gear components for the new
design as well as incorporating expanded capacity for their existing helicopter
models, developing an innovative drag finishing system with automatic work
piece clamping and a clever work piece handling system.
Based
on numerous processing trials in our test center, Rosler developed an entirely
new drag finishing concept that meets all customer requirements. Flexible yet
robust, the new drag finisher is capable of finishing approximately 35
different work pieces made from special, high-performance steel alloys with
diameters from 40-800 mm and individual weights of up to 75 kg.
Technical
Specifications
With
work bowl dimensions of 1,700 (H) x 2,600 (Ă) mm, this new machine is one of
the largest ever built.
To
allow the operator easy, ergonomic access to the work stations, the machine was
placed in a foundation pit. Three 3.6 kW vibratory motors mounted to the
sidewall of the work bowl ensure that the processing media in the work bowl
weighing about 6.7 metric tons is thoroughly mixed in between process cycles.
Rosler R6/2300
A
crane placed behind the machine allows easy and quick filling of media into the
work bowl. Worn media that has become too small is discharged through screens
in the work bowl bottom. A level indicator shows the operator when to add new
media, which is done manually. A Z1000 centrifuge with fully automatic sludge
discharge cleans the process water, with a timer controlling the automatic
compound replenishment.
The
rotating carousel (spinner) is equipped with six workstations with independent
rotary drive units. Additionally, the workstations can be shifted to form a
smaller or larger circle with adjustable angles. The system allows the
simultaneous processing of two large and four small gear components.
Since
some of the work pieces are quite heavy, they are loaded/unloaded with a part
manipulator. The operator guides the handling system holding one single work piece
in a precisely defined position to the workstation. After the work piece has
been mounted to the station, it is automatically clamped. Smaller gears are
mounted manually.
Based
on the cycle times in the existing drag finishing system, the process parameters
like circular orbit, rotary speed, and covered distance were translated to the
larger, new machine in a manner so that no changes had to be made to the
existing finishing process.
For unloading the finished work pieces, the carousel moves into a position that allows the operator to spray-rinse them with water and then remove them from the workstation.
Monitoring
for Process Safety
In
order to meet the high safety standards required in the aerospace industry, all
equipment functions are continuously monitored and controlled. This includes
the movement of the work piece handling system as well as the correct
positioning of the work pieces in the workstation clamping system. Any
deviations will cause the automatic stop of the machine.
Rosler drag finishing equipment
To make
certain that the process water is safely evacuated from the work bowl, the
draining screens in the work bowl bottom are not only flushed with water but
also regularly cleaned with compressed air. Maintenance is made easy with a
central lubrication system that automatically supplies the guides and
workstations with grease according to preset time intervals.
The
Rosler Way
True
to our motto of âfinding a better way,â Rosler considers all inputs and outputs
of your process. We offer experienced finishing engineering and an entire range
of surface finishing equipment and consumables (media and compound) to ensure
that the entire process is optimized.
Whatever your aerospace finishing needs are, you can count on Rosler Metal Finishing to find a better way. Contact us today to start the conversation.
The complete Aerospace Series includes:
- Part 1 â Cost Effective, Mechanical Finishing for Large, Structural Aircraft Components.
- Part 2 â Innovative Finishing for Aerospace Components.
- Part 3 â Drag Finishing for Airbus Helicopters.
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