Following the latest technology developments and using 3D technology one of the motor production, Siemens performed these parts test process. Drawing attention in industry, the test revealed fascinating results.
During one of Siemens’ production projects, gas turbine blade were produced with 3D printing. Going on an extensive test process after the production, turbine blade showed the quality of 3D technology with its performance.
The tests were conducted at the Siemens test center for industrial gas turbines in Lincoln, Great Britain. Over the course of several months, Siemens engineers from Lincoln, Berlin, and the Swedish municipality of Finspong worked with experts from Materials Solutions to optimize the gas turbine blades and their production. Within just 18 months, the international project team succeeded in developing the entire process chain, from the design of individual components, to the development of materials, all the way to new methods of quality control and the simulation of component service life. The turbine blades were installed in a 13-megawatt (MW) SGT-400-type industrial gas turbine. The printed turbine blades were produced from a high-temperature-resistant, powdered polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy and are able to withstand the high pressures, extreme temperatures, and centrifugal forces that arise during turbine operation.
“This is a ground breaking success for the use of additive manufacturing in the field of power generation, one of the most demanding areas of application for this technology,” says Willi Meixner, CEO of Siemens Power and Gas Division
Design-Testing Process Reduces from 2 Years to 2 Months
After finishing of testing, commercialization of 3D turbine blade is an object of interest. According to that, Siemens authorities expressed that the production date is not clear. However they expressed that they gained significant advantage by reducing design-testing process from 2 years to 2 months.
In addition to 3D software solutions, Siemens performs additive manufacturing processes. The company even influenced other technology leader by acquiring 85% of England-based Materials in 2016. The manufacturing of the turbine blades also performed by Materials Solutions, the design on the other hand made by CAD software system. The new 3D projects of Siemens are followed closely by technology world.
