Method to requalify die after storage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12590797-B2
Application number	US-202318392935-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2023
Priority date	Dec 21, 2023
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

A method of requalifying a die after storage under this disclosure could be said to include the steps of running production parts on a die, stopping production for a period of time, taking a pre-storage 3D scan of the die, storing the die for a period of time, taking a post storage 3D scan of the die, comparing the post storage 3D scan information to the pre-storage 3D scan information, and requalifying the die for use in production should the post storage 3D scan be found to be sufficiently close to the pre-storage 3D scan.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of requalifying a die after storage comprising the steps of:
running production parts on a die; stopping production for a period of time; taking a pre-storage 3D scan of the die; storing the die for a period of time; taking a post storage 3D scan of the die; comparing the post storage 3D scan information to the pre-storage 3D scan information; and requalifying the die for use in production should the post storage 3D scan be found to be sufficiently close to the pre-storage 3D scan.

2 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the die is used to form a component after requalification.

3 . The method as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the component has an airfoil.

4 . The method as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the pre-storage and post storage 3D scans utilize structured light scanning.

5 . The method as set forth in claim 4 , wherein if the period of time is not greater than a minimum then the post storage steps are not performed.

6 . The method as set forth in claim 5 , wherein prior to the post storage 3D scan, the die is cleaned.

7 . The method as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the minimum period of time is at least one year.

8 . The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the minimum period of time is at least two years.

9 . The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the die is a cast metal die, and the cavity receives a supply of molten metal when operating in production.

10 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the 3D scans of pre-storage and post storage utilize structured light scanning.

11 . The method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein if the period of time is not greater than a minimum then the post storage steps are not performed.

12 . The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein prior to the post storage 3D scan, the die is cleaned.

13 . The method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the minimum period of time is at least one year.

14 . The method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the minimum period of time is at least two years.

15 . The method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the die is a cast metal die, and the cavity receives a supply of molten metal when operating in production.

16 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein if the period of time is not greater than a minimum then the post storage steps are not performed.

17 . The method as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the minimum period of time is at least one year.

18 . The method as set forth in claim 17 , wherein prior to the post storage 3D scan, the die is cleaned.

19 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein prior to the post storage 3D scan, the die is cleaned.

20 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the die is a cast metal die, and the cavity receives a supply of molten metal when operating in production.

Assignees

• Pratt & Whitney Canada

Inventors

• Morash Michael

Classifications

• G06T17/00

  Three-dimensional [3D] modelling for computer graphics · CPC title

• G01M15/14

  Testing gas-turbine engines or jet-propulsion engines · CPC title

• G01B11/06

  for measuring thickness {; e.g. of sheet material (thickness measurement by thermal means G01B21/085)} · CPC title

• G01B11/00

  Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques · CPC title

• G01B9/00

  Measuring instruments characterised by the use of optical techniques · CPC title