Each rotor blade is positioned using pins to interface with the root lug holes.  A post located past the center of gravity of the blade would provide support to keep the blade horizontal during measurement.  The blades are loaded in a horizontal position (“flight configuration”) in order to measure moment weight in two axes, along span and chord.

System software directly reads the absolute value of moment weight.  If the length from the root to the weight adjustment location is entered, the software will calculate the amount of additional weight needed to balance the blade.  The system output can be configured to be an absolute moment weight value or a deviation from a master blade.

Blades weighing up to 200 pounds can be accurately measured for weight and moment due to CG offset.  We also offer adjustable fixturing options to accommodate various blade types.

The post Helicopter Rotor Blade Static Balancing Instruments appeared first on Raptor Scientific.

• The MW904F focuses on measurement speed while maintaining accuracy and repeatability.
• The MW40KF focuses on very high accuracy and operator ergonomics.

The Model MW40KF Three-Axis Moment Weight Scale is at least 20 times more accurate than conventional multi-axis moment weight scales. It has a sensitivity of 0.02 oz-inch and can measure moment weight up to 30,000 oz-inch. This represents a sensitivity of 1 part in a million! This extraordinary performance is achieved by using the same technology which we use to measure satellite moments. The MW40KF machine automatically measures all three moment weight values (radial, axial, and tangential) without the need for the operator to manually rotate an interface plate or add range weights. A Windows based computer automates the measurement process and displays the measured moment weight.

Why Measure Moment Weight In 3 Axes?

For wide fan blades or large power blades, it is not sufficient to only measure the moment along the radius of the blade; a 3-axis moment weight scale is required. This scale measures radial moment and one component of moment at right angles to the radius; a rotary table is built into the machine to permit the blade to be rotated 90 degrees, so the third component of moment can be measured.

Typical Applications:

These multi-axis moment weight scales are mainly used by both the OEM manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers for jet engine fan blades and power turbine buckets.

The post Multi-Axis Moment Weight Scales appeared first on Raptor Scientific.

Moment weighing scales measure the moment weight of a blade (see definition of moment weight). These measurements facilitate blade matching to improve turbine or fan balancing and reduce vibrations.

Measuring the moment weight of blades is the first stage of balancing a turbine prior to stacking the rotor.

Typical Applications

Space Electronics moment weight scales are applicable to both OEM manufacturers and maintenance and repair operations (MRO) providers in a variety of fan or turbine blade industries and applications including:

• Jet Engines – Fan and turbine blade manufacturing and turbine assembly
• Power Generation – Gas, steam, and wind turbine blade manufacturing and assembly
• Helicopters – Blade balancing for manufacturing and assembly
• Industrial fans – Fan blade balancing for manufacturing and assembly

Why Measure Moment Weight?

Balance is a major factor in determining the reliability and service life of turbine rotors used in jet engines or power plants. The task of balancing a completed rotor can be greatly simplified if the individual blades are first measured and sorted according to static unbalance moment. They are then assembled in the rotor in matched pairs, resulting in an assembly that is approximately balanced. A better balance can be obtained using our “SPACEBAL” software which compensates for hub unbalance and searches for a best-fit solution involving all the blades, rather than limiting the selection to matched pairs. If the “moment weight” of each blade in an engine is stored in a computer database, then a damaged blade can be replaced with one of identical moment, minimizing the unbalance which results from blade replacement in a repair facility.

Single Axis vs. 3 Axes

When balancing larger blades such as wide chord fan blades, the tangential, axial, and radial moments must be accounted for. To address this challenge, Space Electronics has developed the most repeatable and highest accuracy three-axis moment weight scale on the market. This scale provides moment measurements in all three axes. For more information on three-axis moment measurements, please visit our three-axis moment weight scale page.

The post Single Axis Moment Weight Scales appeared first on Raptor Scientific.