Airbus A320 NEO CFM LEAP Engine Fan Blades are very different to other CFM variants and are a step forward in design offering greater air movement, strength, rigidity and optimise weight considerations.
These 18 wide-chord blades are constructed from robust carbon fiber composite, lending them strength and durability and resilient with the titanium leading edge.
At the base, each fan blade possesses a dovetail design, fitting into a recess on the fan disk and this fitment also has composite wear strips that act as a buffer between the blade and the fan disk shields. These fan blades are designed for longevity in service eliminating the need for such frequent re-lubrication at the blade root.
Holding these blades in position are spacers crafted from composite material, ensuring they remain static. Additionally, titanium and honeycomb fan blade locks, situated at the blade root’s front, secure the blades axially. Sandwiched between each fan blade are platforms, further stabilized by pins locking into the fan disk at the rear.
Balancing these fan blades is important as it is in every engine and can be performed on wing; the platform front shroud can house various weight balancing screws, with 60 potential positions for balance weights, each meticulously numbered. When the front spinner is in place, these weights remain hidden.
For ease of identification and maintenance, each blade is engraved with its specific details: its manufacturing serial number, blade serial number, and moment weight. In normal conditions all components, including the spacers and locks, are typically numbered and always returned to their initial locations for optimal performance following maintenance.
The spinner is an aerodynamic fairing made from anodized aluminium alloy, it ensures smooth airflow to the fan stage, minimizing ice build-up and noise.
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