T-700 Blisk/Impeller Cutter Life Improvement Program

The main objective of the program is to reduce the cutter usages and associated costs in blisks/impeller (compressor stages) milling operation by optimizing cutter design and machining parameters. Other parameters investigated include cutting tool materials, cutting fluids, and surface treatment of cutting tools. Tool failure modes were studied and literature survey was performed to determine what evaluation has already been done to optimize cutter design and machining parameters. Preliminary experiments were performed to study changes in tool material and machining parameters individually (one change at a time) and establish guideline for further testing. Based upon the preliminary experiments the parameters that need to be studied further were selected. Statistically-designed experiment have been set up to study the combined effect of changes in the parameters, to optimize cutter design and machining parameters.