The SAE International EG-1A Balancing Committee is drafting new standards to modernize best practices for the design and use of tooling, fixtures, and accessories that mount and drive gas turbine engine rotors on horizontal and vertical balancing machines.
The committee held its most recent working session in Stowe, VT. in late May to draft wording for the SAE ARP4163 standard that will establish new criteria for testing and validating balancing tooling so organizations in aerospace and other industries can balance rotors with greater ease and confidence. The committee will meet next in Montreal, QC, Canada on September 24 during the SAE 2013 AeroTech Conference & Exhibition.
“The current industry standards for rotor balancing tooling were established long before the introduction of new generation jet engines that feature lighter, faster spinning parts that must be balanced to significantly tighter tolerances,” said George Allen, chairman of the SAE EG-1A Balancing Committee. “Existing standards no longer ensure that new tighter tolerances can be reliably and repeatedly met. Since the new standards will have far reaching impact on any company involved in balancing, we are actively seeking input from companies not currently participating in the EG-1A committee.”
The EG-1A committee is comprised of representatives of several jet engine manufacturers, airlines, and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) companies.
Representatives of companies interested in participating in developing the new SAE ARP4163 standard should contact Allen at [email protected] or (802) 253-2036. Ext. 103.
In aerospace and other industries, the introduction of new lighter, more fuel efficient engines is driving the need for far more reliably balanced components than those produced in the past. Once finalized, the new SAE ARP4163 standard will help companies implement new processes that reduce the time it takes to balance rotors to required specifications.
By properly balancing rotors, companies can reduce fuel consumption, vibration, noise, and wear on jet engine components and other equipment.
The meeting was hosted by Vibration Solutions North (VSN), a Stowe, VT, a balancing services provider. Allen is vice president of balancing tooling products and services at VSN.
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