Two leading aerospace equipment manufacturers, Habco, Inc., headquartered in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and Laserdyne Systems, headquartered in Champlin, Minnesota, have partnered to develop a new technology to meet changing industry needs, increasingly stringent industry standards and ISO/ NADCAP data requirements. "Flow compensation is the next step in the evolutionary process of laser and flow testing technology," said Habco CEO Kristin Muschett.

The companies have created an integrated closed-loop feedback system by combining airflow testing and laser drilling in a single location. In June, they showcased the new development in a seminar and live demonstration at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology's (CCAT) Innovation Center in East Hartford, Connecticut. Habco has consigned one of its AF1000M airflow testing machines and Laserdyne has placed its 795XS/CL50k laser drilling machine in CCAT's Laser Applications Laboratory, where engineers will use the equipment to conduct research on laser-drilling of turbine engine components.

A significant advantage of the closed loop feedback system is it allows the Laserdyne 795 to electronically receive flow data from the Habco AF1000M as feedback to correct the system in a real-time. The Statistical Process Controls built into Habco test stand make it possible to program acceptance and tolerance limits and see visual cues as to whether a process is in or out of control. Actual airflow data can be shared electronically with the Laserdyne machining center to allow the unit to make in-process corrections to the holes being drilled in a component. With instant feedback from the test, the Laserdyne program can automatically adjust to bring the laser drilling process into tolerance.

Carl Bryant, Laserdyne North American Sales Manager, explained, "As component designs become more complex, the need for accurate control of drilling processes is required to meet industry demands for shaped holes, steeper angles to the surface, increased numbers of holes, smaller diameters, and the like."