High-speed engine blade manufacturing
High-speed video of GEnx engine blade manufacturing at CFAN offers a great look at the complexity of composites manufacturing.
It's well understood that composites manufacturing in general can be a complex and complicated process. Composites are, after all, the only material that that is made as the part is made, and when you consider the host of fibers, resins and manufacturing processes available, the complexity can be a blessing and a curse.
For a glimpse of that complexity, it's hard to beat this video of the CFAN plant in San Marcos, TX, US, making GEnx aircraft engine fan blades. It's a fascinating and quick tour of the materials, processes, equipment and people required to make one blade. And I can't help but wonder what this process might look like in 10 years.
GEnx carbon fiber composite fan blades.
Related Content
-
Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites
The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.
-
Plant tour: Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K.
Purpose-built facility employs resin transfer infusion (RTI) and assembly technology to manufacture today’s composite A220 wings, and prepares for future new programs and production ramp-ups.
-
Infinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more
After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.