Rotor Blade Repair

Universal Static Balance Fixture (USBF)

Entrapped water is visible using an infrared camera. The surface of the blade is heated to approximately 140° F creating a temperature difference between the skin and the water trapped in the honeycomb core. (Looking at the TV monitor to the left the dark spots on the screen represent pockets of water.)

The blade surface is marked to show water pockets and concentration to determine the water removed during a “Magic Box” cycle.