Aerospace Heat Treatment MI Thermocouple

Problem

Our customer needed to ensure that his furnace was meeting the requirements for high temperature heat treatment of aerospace engine components. It had to meet international standards to gain CAA (civil aviation authority) approval. The sensors had to be produced to an acceptable budget and meet end-user calibration schedules.

The temperatures were at the extreme top end of type K mineral insulated thermocouples. Very high temperature platinum based sensors may have been able to be repeatedly used but they are inflexible and the initial cost world be very high.

Our Solution

We provided an array of inexpensive single use mineral-insulated thermocouples, which had been calibrated to international standards. These sensors, up to 30M long, are routed from the load, through the furnace wall, to an instrument.

Challenges

We had to maintain standards in producing a high-calibre furnace measurement system in a critical thermal control environment to timescale and budget. We were able to do this through careful sensor batch selection and supplier approval. Tight budgetary constraints were of the utmost importance throughout the project. Working closely with internal cost drivers and suppliers allowed all budgets to be achieved.

Outcome

The aerospace heat-treatment system was produced to agreed quality standards, within budget and to schedule. This generated a long-term collaborative relationship with regular repeat business.

Now the customer is able to provide certification of process-control procedures for aerospace components. Clearly this high-safety critical process is vital for the aerospace industry.