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Nadcap accreditation: a successful harvest!

Three types of composite tests were accredited by Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program) at the beginning of 2012: differential scanning calorimetry, shear tests and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry – a series of success that confirms Cetim’s standing with aircraft manufacturers.

In terms of strategic issues, composites are assuming more and more importance in aircraft construction. They help to reduce the weight of structures, resulting in greater energy efficiency and a reduction in the emission of pollutants.

Fully aware of these possibilities, Cetim has been keen to support aircraft manufacturers in their research efforts and has made long-term investments in production and analysis technologies for material composites.

The Nadcap accreditations were obtained without any non-compliance following the audit carried out in December 2011 on Cetim’s site at Nantes-La Jonelière (France). The accreditations will now strengthen the centre’s standing with aircraft manufacturers and their sub-contractors.

The first of Cetim’s successes concerns the renewal of the accreditation already obtained for the differential scanning calorimetry tests. This physico-chemical analysis makes it possible to determine the transition temperatures (fusion point, glass transition) of polymers (thermosetting and thermoplastic resins) and the curing or crystallization state. The tests are carried out according to Standard ISO 1157.

The two new tests accredited by Nadcap concern shear tests and infrared spectrophotometry analysis.

The shear tests (mechanical tests specific to composite materials) make it possible to define the laminate shear characteristics. They are conducted according to Standard ISO 1430.

Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry is a physico-chemical means of analysis that enables the chemical nature of organic materials to be specified. It meets Airbus’ AITM specifications in particular.

These three accreditations complement the accreditation that Cetim has already obtained for tests on metallic materials. Cetim now has a complete range of Nadcap-certified tests for the aeronautical world and can improve its position and the growth of its business with its partners on behalf of companies in the EADS and Safran corporations in particular.

sqr@cetim.fr

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With product modelling and simulation potential solutions can be virtually optimized before they are really implemented. We tend to set up a more efficient design by taking fatigue life into account and optimizing safety factors within a fiabilist approach. The main goal is to achieve much shorter development deadlines. Major improvements are experienced in the field of simulation dealing with more and more complex and multi-physical phenomena.
This technological focus includes projects relating to : fiabilist design of products, functional requirement and performance qualification checking, analysis methods based on customer needs, design of clean and silent products, simulation of product behavior and operation.

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  2. Methods and tools for high performance
  3. Management of corporate strategic information
  4. Extended enterprise
  5. Integration of the human factor
  6. Sustainable development materials
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  8. Energy efficiency of products and processes
  9. Functional surfaces
  10. Agile and adaptive manufacturing systems
  11. Welding of high-performance materials
  12. Integrated design/manufacturing
  13. Design for assembling and disassembling
  14. Design of reliable and safe products
  15. Innovative design methods
  16. Digital simulation and optimisation of product or process
  17. Geometrical specification of products
  18. Mechatronics design/simulation

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