JetCat Factory Visit
Continuing our way home after the EXFC in the Czech Republic we arranged to visit the JetCat factory in Germany.
On arrival at their factory we met with Roman Kulossek and Udo Töpfer who kindly showed us around the factory, explaining each process required to build a miniaturised turbine to the highest standards currently available, obtaining the reliability, simplicity and smooth running that characterize their turbines.First, a little bit of background. JetCat have always been a market leader in miniature turbine engines, which run on Kerosine mixed with turbine oil at speeds of over 200.000rpm in some models and amazing temperatures of approximately 750ºC. These turbines are exact replicas of the full size turbines used in aviation, which is why they have such a similar sound.
Udo showed us where each different model of turbine is put together. It is amazing to see so many turbines in one place, and even though very complex and precise mechanical objects, with JetCat”s production line all looks very simple and strait forward. When the turbines are near completion, but before they are inserted into their outer case, you can appreciate the precision required, when you see the tiny size of the fuel injectors and other similar components.
Once completed, each and every turbine, be it new or repaired, are installed into JetCat”s special mounting rig set up with all different types of sensors and measuring devices. It is then started three times, and only then, once it has passed all JetCat”s tests and requirements is it packeged up and sent off to the client.
To assure that their turbines continue running to perfection, they ask for them to be sent back after every 25 hours of usage for a revision to make sure that everything is running perfectly.
JetCat seem to be constantly improving on their already top quality products. Proof of this was their KeroStart system from a couple of years back, and much more recently their new RX model turbines which incorporate most of the electrical components inside the actual turbine, so there are much less connections required inside the model. (such as the electrovalves being inside the turbine, the fuel pump regulation being automatic..)
Here we can see their new P200SX, with an update of their smallest turbine, the P20 coming soon (will become the P20SX – the SX standing for internal Kero Start). At this years Jet Power they also released their new P180RX (RX standing for Internal Kero-Start and internal valves).
JetCat also make turbines for helicopters and marine models, just take a look at the comlexity of the systems on this turbine helicopter rig!
Many thanks once again to JetCat for allowing us access to their factory, and also to JetCat-Spain for arranging this visit for us.
