March 2020

Insight robot arms, controlled by positioning software, work in conjunction with custom holding fixtures to give a consistent application. Optimising quality Robotic application can, if done properly, provide a leap forward in quality control and consistency when compared to manual processes. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of coating application prior to program development. Without these fundamentals, robotic programming may result in a false sense of quality. Once applied, the base coat in some cases requires heat treatment – the temperature, duration and type of furnace will depend on the coating and the substrate material. Once again, accuracy in all aspects of this process are crucial in achieving a successful outcome. Following any heat treatment process, it is essential that a NDE is completed to ensure that no voids opened during the heat treatment process. This will typically be a penetrant inspection using red dye or even fluorescent dye to detect even the slightest defect. Final dimensions When applicable, a top coat, typically a thermal barrier coating (TBC), is applied in a similar quality-controlled manner as the bond coat. After this application is complete, it is important to carefully remove any overspray and polish the coating so that it meets the specified surface roughness. The final quality inspection should identify any areas that may need minor repairs and confirm that all the required specifications have been met. Following the coating inspection, test fitting or dimensional checks should be performed to ensure that the coating has not pushed the dimensions of the component out of specification. If a third party is being used, they should be involved with this process. For components with cooling channels, any change in flow rate can lead to decreased turbine efficiency, overheating of components, and even failure. Therefore, it is critical that flow checks are performed once more to ensure coating, grit or any other foreign matter has not caused the component’s cooling air to flow below its specified rate. During these post-coating processes and any further handling of coated components, it is important to ensure that the coating remains protected and in pristine condition until the component is reinstalled. This is particularly important for brittle TBCs. The Rotronic Universal Monitoring System – RMS Monitoring environmental conditions in any industry requires a fully integrated continuous monitoring system. The modular Rotronic Monitoring System – RMS is the perfect solution. It provides installation flexibility and full data availability, anywhere, and on a variety of devices. Rotronic can meet all your requirements, incorporating multiple sensors for parameters on a secure network. We can service the entire system. www.rotronic.co.uk/rms ROTRONIC Instruments (UK) Ltd, Crompton Fields, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9EE T: 01293 571000, instruments@rotronic.co.uk A PST Company (www.processsensing.com)