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Sustainable Development

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Automated NDT for composite parts with Tact

Automated non-destructive testing for parts produced by Cetim was just one of the results of the "Tact" project dedicated to manufacturing composite parts for the aeronautical segment. The demonstrator will be on show at the JEC World 2019 fair.

 

Cetim Sud-Ouest and Cetim decided to develop and automate Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) processes for composite parts as a challenge and part of the "Tact, Technologies for warm composite airframes" project aiming to replace metal parts with lighter composite parts in special aircraft zones. Project results include : an automated NDT solution demonstrator for these parts developed by the two centers and on show at Cetim's booth at the JEC World 2019 fair and a video available on the Cetim France Youtube channel.

 

Automated and innovative NDT

The Tact project was run from 2015 to 2018, focused on replacing the titanium alloy TA6V by composite parts, used on maintenance hatches in warm areas (approx. temperature : 300°C) of the pylons which supports the Airbus 350 engines. Targets : reduce the mass and production costs of these parts by 30%. In this context, Nimitech (project leader), Cetim Sud-Ouest, Airbus, Liebher Aerospace, ESI Group and Institut Clément Ader des Mines d'Albi worked as partners to produce several prototype composite parts using the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process.

Cetim Sud-Ouest studied non-destructive testing (NDT) for these new hatches, and the automation of this testing, in partnership with Cetim. To begin with, the two Centers evaluated several NDT methods : phased array ultrasonic testing, active infrared thermography and air-coupled ultrasonic testing. According to the results of the study, active infrared thermography is particularly suitable for these composite parts. This technology heats (by external  excitation) the area to be tested and analyses heat propagation with a thermal camera in order to detect any delamination defects or lacks of resin within the material. The project continued with the automation of this NDT method using a collaborative robot. The demonstrator covers the positioning of the part by the robot, the synchronized activation of heating by two halogen lights, the acquisition of the thermal sequence by the camera, the processing of the signal and the automatic detection of defects by image analysis. The operator then validates part conformity. Next stage : industrial integration.

This project was selected by the Fonds unique interministériel (FUI - French applied research fund), and also received financial support from BPIfrance and the régions Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie.

 

The demonstrator will be on show at our booth (D85 – hall 6) at the " JEC World 2019 fair, 12 - 14 March 2019 at Paris-Nord Villepinte" where our experts are greeting visitors with " a complete range of composite products dedicated to the aeronautical segment" to name just one aspect.

You could also check out "TACT project: non-destructive testing of composite hatches by infrared thermography" in a video on the Cetim France Youtube channel.

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This concept relies on all methods and technologies which care for their impact on the environment throughout a product or process life. Though reluctances due to, among others, legal constraints and potentially reduced commercial leeway, sustainable development is certainly a real opportunity for innovation.
This technological focus includes projects relating to : Environment and industrial risk management in order to anticipate compliance to regulations, implementation of eco-design approaches and technologies reducing the environmental impact of processes and products.

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