How to Achieve a Sweeping View of Composite Aerospace Asset Integrity Conditions

Posted: 2022-9-1

By: Eddyfi Technologies

Source: Eddyfi Technologies

Aerophobia, or the fear of flying, is prevalent among the general population and it really is no wonder given the increased exposure to media portraying theatrical crashes or other horrifying incidents. Operating in the non-destructive testing arena, stakeholders are responsible for preventing the next big blockbuster of an episode through thorough asset integrity assessments that help ensure travelers safely reach their destination. When considering the size and unique geometry of an aircraft, the inspection requirements are significant yet what is at stake is momentous; therefore, it is in the industry’s best interest to audit current risk management operations and take advantage of commercially available technology designed with field conditions in mind.

Within the aerospace sector, one will increasingly find assets featuring many different geometries, surface materials, and complexities such as thin specimens that require high near-surface resolution for optimal inspection results. These critical assets require regular assessments to not only validate their structural life and help plan preventative maintenance but also ensure the safety of passengers and crew onboard.

The variations in aircraft shape and material found within the fuselage, wings, skin, stringers, and spars pose a distinct challenge to inspectors. From an ergonomic point of view, carrying around multiple inspection devices is cumbersome and difficult given the often-complex access restrictions.

Being able to identify both near-surface, volumetric, and backwall flaws within these components as well as locate thinning in the material offers confidence that the aerospace asset being inspected is up to industry standards. On the other hand, spending all day interchanging inspection devices to achieve this result is simply not sustainable.

Read the full article at Eddyfi.com.