Rösler's unique Keramo process has been used for several years in the aero engine overhaul market, where its high grade surface finishing with extremely low material removal rate exactly meets requirement. The process is inexpensive and simple to use, and the waste produced can be safely handled and easily treated. It is therefore obvious why Keramo use continues to grow throughout the industry.

Keramo is also now becoming the process of choice during the manufacture of new aero engine components, with more applications being found daily. Disks, blisks, blades and vanes are all being processed, with potential for other aero engine parts to join them.

To give an example of a typical Keramo process being used today at a major UK aero engine manufacturer; components are presented in a shot blasted condition as assemblies of several vanes welded together, with a surface finish of approximately 1,0µm. They are processed in a Rösler R620 Euro vibratory bowl with Rösler RCP ceramic media and Keramo paste for 6 hours. The media size and shape and bowl motion have been carefully selected to ensure good movement between the closely spaced vanes. The result is a surface finish of better than 0,25µm. Single vanes acquire a surface finish of better than 0,15µm.

When the Rösler Euro series of vibratory bowls is selected for use with the Keramo process, many automated features can be included that allow a reduction in manual intervention. In the recently delivered cell shown, compressor components are automatically unloaded into a high pressure spray wash system via special independent screens that minimise part on part contact. Further automatic unloading continues into a maize drying system, and then onto a collection table. In addition, media in the vibratory bowl is automatically screened to prevent drain blockage.

The Keramo process is not limited to use in vibratory bowls. It is used with many other mass finishing machines such as Rösler's FKS series of centrifugal finishing equipment, and Rösler's large range of trough type finishing machines. Each project is considered carefully by the process experts at Rösler, and solutions are developed utilising the test facilities that can be found throughout the globe. The right combination of machinery and media to best meet the requirements of the individual customer are chosen.