Creaform is a reliable aeronautics provider of portable 3D measurement devices and 3D engineering services to the aeronautics companies such as CAE, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and Boeing.
The instruments provided by the company are suitable for applications such as design and engineering of aircraft components, prototype, tooling and mold adjustment, MRO and damage assessment, aerodynamics/stress analysis, and quality control/inspection.
Phased-Array Inspection of Aircraft Components
In order to examine the extent of degradation and service life, the service aircrafts and their structures need to be inspected. However, manufacturers undergo a great difficulty in investigating complex and intricate parts of the aircrafts such as cockpits, engine bays, nacelles and gas turbines. To overcome this problem, the manufacturers employ the phased-array inspection technique.
Phased-array focal law simulation process helps in manipulating the investigation output and optimizing the wedge and probe configuration. 3D model is usually created based on a theoretical model construction and a CAD file. The shape of the resulting component, however, differs for each theoretical model, affecting the detection ability and ultrasound scan quality.
HandySCAN 3D and Zetec/Extende Solution
Creaform’s HandySCAN 3D laser scanning system creates 3D data of the aircraft component, with up to 40µ accuracy indicating all manufacturing defects such as dents, wear, welded joints and out of roundness. Scanning is carried out in a few minutes with the component in assembly. Finally, the 3D data output is fed to the Zetec’s UltraVision 3 and Extende’s CIVA software for phased-array inspection and ultrasonic testing. The testing results can then be used to generate high-accuracy 3D model during the phase-array simulation process.
The key benefits of the HandySCAN 3D laser scanning system are:
- Real-time verification of 3D data quality during acquisition
- The scanner is placed in component to be inspected, and the resulting link between the scanner and the component maintains the resolution and accuracy in the vibrating environment.
- The obtained 3D model is identical to the real component, increasing the accuracy of simulation and optimizing the configuration of inspection
- The 3D laser scanning process is free of inspector’s skill level
- Highly accurate and realistic 3D model reconstruction data can be obtained by importing 3D data file into UltraVision 3/ CIVA.
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.