[4A7] Automated non-destructive testing of aerospace components
E Grondin and A Raude
Evident Scientific, UK
The elements, parts and assemblies of every aircraft and rocket must be compliant to a high standard of quality to be used on finished products. This implies that extensive inspections are required and conducted at the manufacturing stage from raw material up to completely assembled structures. Non-destructive testing techniques, such as ultrasound and eddy current, are well known in this industry to provide valuable information to identify defective components.
Over the years, advances in automation, electronics and software have enabled the adoption of these inspection techniques for high-productivity applications. Specifically, eddy current and ultrasonic phased array solutions have enabled fast inspections compared with manual methods and have increasing coverage and detection capabilities. Due to the integration of such solutions into automated systems, a fully efficient process can now be implemented in production to assess 100% of the structures and assemblies while ensuring complete traceability and eliminating errors associated with human factors.
This presentation gives an overview of tailored automated solutions for the inspection of aircraft components from elementary part to full assemblies. These solutions ensure airworthiness of various materials such as composite frames and panels, metallic fan blades and friction stir welded joints.
Over the years, advances in automation, electronics and software have enabled the adoption of these inspection techniques for high-productivity applications. Specifically, eddy current and ultrasonic phased array solutions have enabled fast inspections compared with manual methods and have increasing coverage and detection capabilities. Due to the integration of such solutions into automated systems, a fully efficient process can now be implemented in production to assess 100% of the structures and assemblies while ensuring complete traceability and eliminating errors associated with human factors.
This presentation gives an overview of tailored automated solutions for the inspection of aircraft components from elementary part to full assemblies. These solutions ensure airworthiness of various materials such as composite frames and panels, metallic fan blades and friction stir welded joints.
