LG Motion’s positioning system enables automated thermal mapping for Sensor Coating Systems

Sensor Coating Systems specified a positioning system for the rapid scanning of gas turbine and automotive components.

The system enables accurate thermal mapping of hot components post-operation. The patented technology uses a combination of temperature memory materials, specialised instrumentation and automation.

LG Motion has customised a positioning system for SCS to enable rapid scanning of the components using SCS’ laser induced luminescence technology.

The company has worked with LG Motion over a number of years and this latest project was to design a positioning system to improve the reliability and consistency of their scanning and measurements.

The requirement

A customised XYZR Positioning system was required to scan an area of 500mm x 500mm x 500mm and move a fibre optic measurement probe over the volume at speeds of up to 20mm per second. The equipment would be designed and manufactured as a “stand alone” piece of equipment which would then be mounted at SCS onto an optical work surface.

A key requirement was to achieve uniformity of scans and positional repeatability was very important.

The solution

The XYZR motorised scanning system consists of tried and tested linear dovetail slides and a worm and wheel driven rotary table, each axis being driven by a stepper motor.

The system is manufactured from a high-grade aluminium alloy and employs linear dovetail bearings with precision leadscrews for accuracy and reliability.

The system enables the automatic acquisition of 300 measurement points on a complex turbine blade in 2.5 hours.

Features of the XYZR system

Usable travel 500mm x 500mm x 500mm
Positioning repeatability XYZ <0.05 mm, uni-directional
R <0.01 degree, uni-directional
Working speed XYZ, up to 20mm per second
R up to 90 degrees per second
Working load XYZ, up to 1kg
R, up to 50kg
Limit switches Microswitch fitted at extremes of travel