Laser Sensor-Based System for Automated Inspection of Jet Engine Blades

A system has been developed to replace manual measurement of small jet engine blades during safety and performance inspections. The high-speed, automated system consists of a non-contact laser sensor, signal processing hardware, and standard off-the shelf designs, fixturing, and sensor software. Inspection is more efficient, repeatable, and reliable than alternative methods, such as solutions that involve fastening the engine on an inoperable grinder to manually index the rotary intake.