Nextec Laser Metrology Announces WIZblade 3D Laser Inspection Technology

Nextec Laser Metrology LLC, a corporation serving the quality inspection
market, has announced its WIZblade turnkey metrology solution for rapid high-
precision measuring of both aerospace jet engine blades and industrial turbine
and compressor blades. WIZblade overcomes the challenges of freeform blade
measurement and inspection, significantly reducing inspection time while
achieving higher accuracy and sampling rates. Customers have been known to
decrease the turbine blade inspection process from eight hours a day down to
55 minutes with the WIZblade solution.

The large dynamic range and high accuracy of the probe makes it easy to set up
the alignment loop and the airfoil cross-section path and collect hundreds of
points fast and accurate, with no noise. This solution provides single point
precision of 12 microns and a feature precision of 2 microns (100 points best
fit), meeting the highest precision requirements for blade measurement.

The WIZblade laser scanning system quickly compares all dimensional
components to the original CAD model, revealing both form and dimensional
deviations within the manufacturing process. By monitoring the blade
machining process and measuring the parts, it can quickly be determined if the
machine output is deviating due to cutting tool deterioration and the tool offset
can be adjusted accordingly. This provides closed-loop control of the
machining process using the SPC results of the measurements, maintaining
both process and component integrity.

WIZblade works through a combination of a proprietary 3D laser-based
scanning sensor, advanced laser and vision technologies, state of the art motion
controller and special software for blade alignment, blade measurement, blade
analysis and inspection report. WIZblade alignment, inspection and analysis are
performed automatically during production and measurement of both
unfinished (forged or cast) and finished (machined, shot peened and coated)
blades.

To accommodate variance in blade geometry and size, the system comes with a
variety of 3-axis motion platforms and optional rotary tables. WIZblade has
been designed with the flexibility to meet the needs of an array of blade
manufacturers, designs and standards.

For more information and WIZblade specifications, visit http://nextec-
laser.com/wizblade.asp. Demonstrations of the solution can be scheduled by
contacting the Nextec Laser Metrology offices at 440-413-7605.

Nextec Laser Metrology solutions are based upon laser and quality control
technologies developed by Nextec 3D Inspection Technologies (Haifa, Israel),
which originally developed the solution since 2001. Haifa is part of the Israeli
Silicon Valley corridor, recognized as a highly influential location for edge of
technology development. Nextec inspection systems are installed at leading
automotive and aerospace customers across the world.