A Computer-Aided System for Interactive Geometric Modeling, Structural/ Dynamics Analysis and N/C Manufacturing/Inspection of Radial Flow Compressors

The technological advances which have been made in the computer hardware industry, from interactive computer graphics systems to numerically controlled manufacturing and inspection machines, has resulted in major changes in the impeller design process. The contents of this paper describes an “Interactive CAD/CAM Geometric Modeling System for Impellers” developed to integrate aerodynamic design, mechanical design, structural and dynamics analysis, manufacturing and quality assurance into an integrated CAD/CAM impeller system. The system allows for more design and analysis iterations to take place in a short time frame, resulting in optimized impeller designs. The system also reduces the lead time required for part fabrication and inspection from many months to a few weeks.