Project Details

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Composite Impeller Prototype Development

Company: Wabtec

Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: MATSE
Optional: ESC

Non-Disclosure Agreement: YES

Intellectual Property: YES

A physical prototype(s) of the non-metal fan is needed to trial manufacturing feasibility of the design concept. Final product of this project is ultimately at least one prototype part that can be used for non-metal fan demonstration testing. Project may leverage and/or modify the existing 2025 PSU Capstone team design work as needed. Thorough considerations for SAFETY with use of the prototype part is CRITICAL. Finished fan is expected to be capable of safe operation up to maximum speed (4,000 RPM). It is expected the prototype part will be capable of running from 0 to max RPM thousands of times over the course of demonstration testing. DFMEA for prototype part along with validation activities intended for the initial phase of prototype use. Prototype part construction must consider all application needs – max operating speed, airflow performance, etc. Prototype should be properly balanced before installation on a blower. Wabtec resources may be used to conduct the balancing step. Stretch Goal: Prototype to be assembled successfully on existing blower assembly (shaft/contravene). Stretch Goal: Complete a core demonstration test on the part to validate successful development of the proof of concept. Stretch Goal: Production manufacturing source identification along with budgetary quotations for tooling and piece part prices.