Bladmeters

Bladmeters is a term used to describe a family of instruments and measurement systems designed to quantify physical attributes of blades, such as turbine blades, wind turbine blades, or fan blades. The term is not standardized across industries, and bladmeters may refer to simple handheld gauges or to sophisticated non-contact optical scanners.

Common objectives include measuring blade length and chord, thickness, camber or curvature, straightness, surface finish, and critical geometric tolerances that affect aerodynamics and fit within assemblies.

Measurement approaches span both contact and non-contact technologies. Contact methods include micrometers, vernier gauges, stylus profilometers, and coordinate measuring machines. Non-contact methods include laser triangulation, structured-light or laser-scanning profilometry, photogrammetry, and computed tomography, often used for complex internal features or coated surfaces.

Applications cover manufacturing metrology, quality assurance during blade production, maintenance and life-extension inspections, and aerodynamic research. In aerospace and energy sectors, bladmeters support blade replacement decisions, balance checks, and dimensional conformity to design drawings.

Calibration and traceability are essential, with reference artifacts and procedures aligned to national or international standards where available. Accuracy depends on method, surface condition, and environmental factors such as vibration and temperature.

Because bladmeters describes a broad class of instruments rather than a single device, terminology and specifications vary by supplier and field. Further reading commonly includes sources on blade metrology, profilometry, and turbine blade inspection.