AMES, Iowa – Engineers know that gas turbine engines for aircraft and power plants are more efficient and burn less fuel when they run at temperatures high enough to melt metal. But how to raise ...

Cylindrical holes were once the industry standard for air film cooling on turbine engine components. The cooling holes were traditionally formed using an electro-discharge machine (EDM) with a round ...

Turbine blades for use in jet engines need to be made of a hard, unyielding exotic material made to exact specifications, which means the drilling of tiny cooling holes in the blades runs the risk of ...

UK engine maker Rolls-Royce is pushing ahead with advanced turbofan engine designs for future platforms, with greatly improved efficiency. Titanium-aluminide low-pressure turbine blades and proposed ...

Thermotolerant jet engine blade is designed for more thrust and fuel efficiency, strengthening China's aviation self-reliance A recently granted patent in China's aeronautics industry has signalled a ...

Not long ago, thermoplastic composites (TPCs) were heralded as the future of wind turbine blades. Recyclability, ease of repair and, especially, short mold cycle times made TPCs very attractive to ...

Recent-model large-frame gas turbines have experienced some growing pains, but modifications and upgrades have increased their reliability substantially. Due to low natural gas prices, low capital ...

Siemens has finished its first full-load engine tests for gas turbine blades completely produced using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. The company successfully validated multiple AM printed ...

GE's acquisition of Metem Corporation would bring “cooling hole-drilling” specialty in-house. General Electric has a purchase agreement to acquire Metem Corporation, a New Jersey-based specialist in ...

The long lead time for the development of blades and vanes used in gas turbines, such as in power stations, presents a significant challenge to the validation of new part designs in engine tests.

Manufacturers of gas turbine engines are experimenting with higher operating temperatures to improve engine efficiency. Working with the support of GE, Iowa State engineers are developing new tests ...

Metem’s close-tolerance manufacturing capabilities include ECM turbulated STEM drilling (curved, shaped, complex angle, deep holes), various types of EDM, and conventional mill/turn machining. General ...