High Speed CMC Laser Machining

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and Electro-Optics Center at The Pennsylvania State University (PSU-EOC) propose to design, build and demonstrate a high speed laser machining system for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) for propulsion components. The Phase I STTR program demonstrated a CMC laser machining process that is more than 10 times faster than grinding processes and that can reduce disposable tooling costs for CMC machining by more than 100 times. The increased machining speed and lower costs for consumable tooling enable cost effective high volume production of complex CMC components. This Phase II STTR program will demonstrate laser machining system for CMC that … 1) Can achieve precision tolerances for through cutting and blind feature machining. 2) Is robust to laser and optical system performance variations 3) Can demonstrate process paths for final machining operations 4) Can be adapted to a production multi-axis machining center. During the Phase II program we will integrate the laser machining process into a production CMC machine tool. The integrated tool will be validated by our partners at ABL, P&W, GE and Rolls Royce for CMC propulsion component production.