Integrally Cast Low-Cost Compressor.

The low pressure compressor stages of the AGT-1500 engine are designed as separately bladed assemblies requiring extensive precision machining and grinding. Cost savings could be achieved if the compressor stages were integrally cast in order to eliminate many machining operations. The casting of precision parts involving very thin leading and trailing edges was achieved in a multi-phased effort acceptable product yields were achieved with the first and second stage wheels and not with the fifth stage. A follow-on effort will be required in order to support implementation of program results.