Arcam AB fka AMAVF

[flying_trader]

Charlie, I do appreciate those who investigate...

It's why I attach links to support my findings...

Please don't confuse hostility with frustration associated with unsubstantiated posts.
Maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio means that a minimal level of investigation is expected. Accuracy is highly valued.

Maybe I am being overly sensitive here but even this statement seems to indicate an intent to mislead by suggesting posts are "unsubstantiated" where no intent exists... where have I not posted links?

So lets look at the support I provided in my "unsubstantiated" post indicating that Safran (CFM) was making the blades....

From the referenced video you can hear from Karine Deschandol - Titanium Aluminide Project Manager, describe in her own words the process for making these blades for the LEAP engine:

"Castings followed by Machining, Coatings and Testing"

"depending on the process we (unclear) existing facilities and at the same time we invest in new dedicated facilities with a high level of automation"

It is unclear from your references to the agreements with Mecachrome and Kikuchi Gear if those companies are actually casting or just machining, coating and testing the final product. I agree your assumption that they are casting would seem to make sense but the documents don't specifically mention that and in the case of Kikuchi specifically say:

"from machining process to non-destructive testing"

This statement would seem to indicate they are in fact not casting the blades but only machining, (perhaps coating ?) and testing them...

However Charlie, in the end weather Safran is making the entire blade, doing some of it or having it completely done in their Partnerships (their word not mine) it is a distinction with little difference to the point of my post which was there is a substantial sunk cost commitment to existing traditional manufacturing methods for LEAP LPT blades.


Now could GE turn away from it's commitments and the investments made by RTI for the metal and Safran/partners for the manufacture of the blades in order to have them made by Avio and presumably use APC metal powder? Sure, it's possible, perhaps they would do it just so they can say they are using a new innovative processes... but I believe (note my opinion) it is highly unlikely. I think it is especially unlikely for LEAPs because I assume, and would very much like to see Tom weigh in on this point, that there are no or little weight savings between a TiAl blades made via Centrifugal Casting and a fully dense EBM blade.

This I hope will be my last word on LEAP LPT blades until we see some proof that EBM LPT blades are indeed in production LEAP engines. Just be careful about asserting someone is making "unsubstantiated" posts.

Cheers