Application of CAD/CAM in Forging Turbine and Compressor Blades

Abstract

The design and manufacturing of dies for forging of turbine and compressor blades represent excellent applications for CAD/CAM. Computer programs have been developed to predict the load, the optimum die design, the best preform position before forging, and the minimum stock volume necessary to fill the die cavity. The predicted forging loads and forging positions agreed well with practical values. For numerical-control machining of forging dies, or of electrodes for Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) of the dies, special-purpose programs have been developed. Thus, the necessary fundamentals are available for an integrated CAD/CAM approach in forging of blades for turbine and compressor applications.