Engine Test Calibration Fixture and Procedure Design
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Date
2013-12-02
Authors
Guenette, Dylan
Hornby, Eric
Kincaid, Lynne
McCrea, Heather
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Abstract
The thrust calibration system used at the General Electric Test, Research and Development Centre in Winnipeg, MB has been identified as costly and inconvenient. UMCal has been tasked with the creation of a new calibration design and procedure that will eliminate the current need to import specialized contracted equipment and personnel from the United States. The new system must maintain the current standards utilized by GE, which include, but are not limited to: accuracy, repeatability, and precision. In addition to these standards, the client has also requested that the design provide a payback period of no greater than five years. A total of three concepts for the engine thrust simulation and total of two concepts for the engine weight simulation were considered. Of the considered concepts, a single concept for each of the thrust simulation and engine weight simulation were selected. The two concepts brought forth to the Final Design Generation phase are the simple lever concept for the thrust simulation and the turnbuckle concept for the engine weight simulation. The final design consists of three components; engine thrust simulation, engine weight simulation, and calibration pylon. A thorough stress and cost analysis was performed on each component, and used to determine the feasibility of the conceptual designs. To accompany the conceptual design, a calibration procedure document outlining the required tasks and set up steps needed to perform the calibration testing using the new equipment is provided. In addition, CAD models and the accompanying system drawings are also provided. Upon completion of the analyses, UMCal successfully designed a calibration system capable of meeting the design criteria set by the client. However, UMCal was unable to meet to the client’s desired payback period of five years within the given budget. UMCal recommends that the current calibration equipment continue to be contracted until further details regarding cost of manufacturing can be accurately predicted, or the frequency of calibration at the GE facility increases.