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Keywords Aircraft, Engines, Gas turbines, Technology
M J Technologies (MJT) is regarded within the gas turbine modern aircraft engine and power generation industries as a major company for developing solutions to produce small yet highly accurate holes in both rotary and static components.
Two of the most recent innovations of the Coalville, Leicestershire based company, are a fast hole drilling (FHD) process using electro-discharge machining (EDM) to create high aspect ratio holes in difficult to machine materials such as inconel and, on the fly, laser drilling of holes in aerofoil sections involving five-axis positioning. In each of the technology sectors MJT has adopted Heidenhain TNC contouring control systems for flexibility of process control (Plate 1).
Gas turbine technology is based on continued development to optimise all elements used in the end product. Many of the internal components within the high pressure stages of a turbine, for instance, are required to function in gas streams with temperatures approaching the melting point of the materials used to make them. In order to maintain reliable operation in these conditions, many of the rotary and static components are peppered with well defined patterns of tiny holes which vary in diameter between 0.3 mm and 3.0 mm to facilitate the passage of vital cooling air.
To produce these holes is a highly specialised task. It demands precise control over the process and highly accurate and repeatable positioning often involving complex three-dimensional surfaces. To meet these requirements demanded by its customers, which include international blue-- chip names, MJT has standardised on Heidenhain as the exclusive computer control system supplier.
MJT is a relatively young company, having been established in 1992. Since 1999 it has been part of the US-owned Winbro Group, a technology based business which is headquartered in Boston, USA. MJT's expertise in the development and supply of highly precise laser, EDM or electro-chemical machining...