The EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company) group caters to defense, aerospace and associated markets. The company was formed in 2000 subsequent to the merger of Aérospatiale-Matra based in France, DASA in Germany, and CASA in Spain. Cassidian, Astrium, Eurocopter, and Airbus are the divisions of EADS.
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Role of Creaform’s Portable 3D Scanners at EADS
Creaform’s portable 3D measurement products have been used by EADS for several years, especially its MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner and HandySCAN 3D handheld 3D scanner to scan tooling and carbon/epoxy composite components and perform components/CAD comparisons (Figure 1). At EADS, the HandyPROBE optical CMM is used for probing needs.
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Figure 1. EADS uses Creaform portable 3D measurement products for scanning tooling and composite parts (carbon/epoxy) and for making parts or CAD comparisons.
Besides using Creaform’s VXelements software, EADS performs dynamic measurements using the VXtrack module. Moreover, EADS uses VXlocate software, a jointly developed program by EADS and Creaform.
HandySCAN 3D Application Example
EADS used a HandySCAN 3D device to explore the potential geometric distortion of carbon fiber composite components for the evaluation of post-manufacturing deformation through scanning of a 1000 x 800mm tooling device and components of dimensions of 650 x 300mm (Figure 2). As part of the study, the tooling was initially scanned to confirm whether it satisfies the CAD plan (Figure 3). This was followed by scanning of two components fabricated using this tooling and comparison of the scanning files (Figure 4).
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Figure 2. EADS scanned 1000 x 800 mm tooling equipment and 650 x 300 mm parts to assess post-manufacturing deformation using a HandySCAN 3D device. (© EADS France 2013 – photo by EADS INNOVATION WORKS)
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Figure 3. First step was scanning of the tooling to verify its compliance with the CAD plan. (© EADS France 2013 – photo by EADS INNOVATION WORKS)
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Figure 4. The second step was scanning of two parts manufactured with this tooling, followed by comparison of the scanning files. (© EADS France 2013 – photo by EADS INNOVATION WORKS)
Then, the distortion of the components prior to production was estimated using simulation tools for comparison of the scanning files of the manufacturing parts (Figure 5). The simulation software was validated using the results. The simulation software was created for optimization of the production range by determining adequate processes and parameters.
A fringe projection scanning system at EADS is not suitable for scanning such large surfaces and the process of measuring two faces of the composite components is even more complex. The use of a CMM also has its own shortcomings – one-off measurements, which result in a much longer acquisition time.
Catherine Bosquet of the EADS Structure Health Engineering (NDT & SHM) department said that the Creaform’s systems allowed the company to rapidly scan the metallic tooling and the carbon fiber composite components when compared to other systems available on the market. The portability of the Creaform’s systems allowed EADS to perform the measurements at the production site.
Conclusion
Bosquet went on to say that, EADS used fringe projection prior to using Creaform's systems. The group also tested other systems from GOM, Ettemeyer, Kreon Technologies, Aicon, Steinbichler, Metris, and Konica Minolta. However, the company was happy with the Creaform 3D measurement solutions, thanks to their portability, quick configurability and acquisition, user-friendliness and measurement performance for a variety of surface states. Moreover, the high availability and responsiveness of Creaform experts is also a valuable point to be mentioned.
About Creaform Inc
Creaform is a worldwide leader in 3D optical measurement technologies and products. The range of products include portable 3D scanners Portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), robot-mounted optical CMM scanners, optical coordinate measuring systems, handyscan 3D laser scanners, pipeline integrity assessment, etc.
Creaform serves more than 2000 clients, including BMW, Rolls Royce, Cessna, Boeing, GE, Renault, Toyota, amongst others. The company has offices all around the world in all major territories.
Creaform’s mission is to develop, manufacture and market cutting edge portable 3D measurement and analysis technologies that increase productivity. Through its expertise and the passion and commitment of its employees, Creaform helps companies from the manufacturing industry to seamlessly create, simulate, verify, and collaborate in 3D, significantly enhancing their turnaround times and profitability.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Creaform Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Creaform Inc.