EADS and DolphiTech develop composites NDT system
17/01/2012
EADS Innovation Works and DolphiTech AS of Norway have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of an NDT system for composites inspection, based on an ultrasonic camera.The new ultrasonic NDT camera will be used to inspect composite products used in the aerospace and other industries.
Aerospace and defence group EADS, the parent company of Airbus and Eurocopter, says the ultrasonic camera is simple and easy to operate, and ‘more favourably priced’ than existing NDT camera systems. A prototype will be available by the end of 2012.
“The new system will speed up NDT procedures in manufacturing and maintenance and will help the users to save time and money,” reports Martin Bach, NDT Specialist at EADS Innovation Works.
The 3D ultrasonic camera, developed by DolphiTech, a technology company based in Moelv, Norway, could complete the ‘Smart NDT Tools’ product line of mobile NDT systems offered by EADS Innovation Works.
“The adaptation of our novel ultrasound technology for impact assessment by EADS Innovation Works and the EADS Divisions will open a very attractive global market for our technology,” says DolphiTech Managing Director, Terje Melandso.
“After many years of research and development supported by Innovation Norway, we have patented the world’s first ultrasonic 2D barcode reader. The cooperation and marketing opportunities within EADS, its suppliers and customers will be very valuable for DolphiTech when we launch the technology on the aerospace market.”
DolphiTech, a subsidiary of Elop – DolphiScan, is located at Raufoss Industrial Park, Moelv, Norway, together with the Norwegian Centre of Expertise for Material Technology, the Norwegian Composite Centre, Nammo and many other high-tech companies.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2010, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of €45.8 billion and employed a workforce of nearly 122,000.
www.eads.com
www.dolphiscan.com
