An integrated polishing method for compressor blade surfaces

The surface quality and profile precision of compressor blades affect the performance and security of aircraft engines. Components with complex design specifications are difficult to manufacture, especially when polishing processes are needed to enable compliance with tight industrial standards. Belt polishing and bob polishing are commonly used in the precision manufacturing of components of gas turbine engines for aerospace and energy applications. These methods are used to polish different parts of the compressor blade. Information on integrated methods with belt polishing and bob polishing processes for full-area compressor blade (FACB) surfaces is scarce. In the present study, an integrated polishing method that combines bob polishing and seven-axis linkage belt polishing was used to improve the surface quality and profile precision of a FACB surface. The surfaces of three compressor blades were analyzed after polishing with each individual method and the integrated method. The surface roughness was less than 0.35 μm; the profile precision was higher than 0.05 mm; and the precision consistency was substantially improved. This proves that this polishing method, which integrates belt and bob polishing, can be used for automated polishing of compressor blade surfaces.