摘要 |
A method for fabricating a unitary swirler is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of determining three-dimensional information of the unitary swirler having a plurality of vanes arranged in a circumferential direction on a body around a swirler axis and a wall extending between a rim and a portion of the body, converting the three-dimensional information into a plurality of slices that each define a cross-sectional layer of the unitary swirler, and successively forming each layer of the unitary swirler by fusing a metallic powder using laser energy. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed, showing a unitary swirler comprising a plurality of vanes extending from a hub having a unitary construction wherein unitary swirler is made by using a rapid manufacturing process. In one aspect of the invention, the rapid manufacturing process is a laser sintering process. |