NDT
ROBOTIC ULTRASONIC TESTING
Inspection of complex composite aircraft parts using phased
array ultrasonic immersion techniques and single crystal dual
frequency through transmission ultrasonic squirters
// NIGEL THORPE, MONTSERRAT ACEBES
Changes in the construction materials
of aeronautical structures have
increased over the last 20 years,
moving away from the use of aluminium
alloys to the use of composite materials.
These new components can, in some cases,
have complex geometries which in turn
need to be inspected non-destructively to
ensure that during production they do not
compromise the aircraft structure and are
defect free.
Furthermore, the industry is moving
away from large gantry systems to the
more flexible use of robotics. The use of
robots allows for the exchange of
inspection systems and configurations to
suit each type of component, adapting the
system to be able to inspect not only simple
components but also those with complex
geometries. These systems can use several
transducers for specific inspections, using
complex electronics but culminating in a
user-friendly inspection system.
Tecnitest Ingenieros were contracted to
provide an immersion system that had the
capability to fulfil the inspection of
relatively simple and complex components
using Phased Array Ultrasonic (PAUT)
Immersion techniques and single crystal
through transmission squirters. The
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1 // The immersion system
supplied can inspect both
simple and complex
components
1
system was built in collaboration with
Aciturri Aeronáutica and Caetano
Aeronautic along with Dasel UT systems.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The system comprises of an immersion
tank, a robot, the relevant ultrasonic
transducers and ultrasonic cards and a
work station with the relevant software to
display; ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Scan images of the
inspection.
The project was split into three different
phases. Phase one provides a system for the
inspection of components placed in the
immersion tank. This uses a 32 element
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