C-GIS Complex Geometry Inspection Systems are supplied to customers for specialist inspection requirements and have the capability to inspect irregularly shaped components.
In 2005 Midas NDT delivered the system pictured above for the inspection of the wing spars of the Airbus A400M. The seven axis system, with a bed of 24000 mm x 2000 mm and a gantry of 3500 mm height is capable of inspecting the entire component in a single scan. The system’s moving gantry automatically parks at one end to allow the component to be loaded via an overhead crane into specialist component holding fixtures.
A computer controlled intelligent servo motor system allows full contour following capabilities. Real-time motion control allows all axes of the system to carry out precision positional operations during scanning. This facility allows quick and repeatable inspection of complex shaped components.
Complex curved shapes can be easily programmed using simple teach and learn techniques, this style of system is also capable of importing CATIA shape information and processing all necessary scanning parameters from the information to create a scan pattern. Any scan parameters can be stored and recalled by the operator using the given scan shape name. This allows a customer to carry out the inspection of multiple components of a similar shape.
In order to simplify the scan shape set-up process a full set of controls are available for automated water jet normalisation and optimisation. The facility uses the intelligent servo system to maintain water jet separation and the system ultrasonics for high precision transducer normalisation and optimisation.
The system water jets are fitted with interchangeable nozzles in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm diameters. A flexible air nozzle is fitted to avoid water splash problems in highly curved areas of the components.
The system is fitted with manual controls to allow optimization of the water jets and precision pressure controls are fitted to compensate for variations in the jets due to differing heights and angles. Water for the system is provided by a recirculation system. Quality of the water system is maintained by use of micro particle filters and an ultra-violet filtration system.
Systems are supplied with the latest Midas NDT integrated ultrasonics package. The latest state-of-the-art package offering unparalleled capabilities under full control from the computer monitor.
Four amplitude and one time of flight (thickness) gate are available to the operator with all the necessary facilities for the most exacting scanning operations. All ultrasonic parameters are digital and can be stored as part of a pre-programmed scan pattern. This removes the need for complex setting of ultrasonics prior to routine daily inspection processes.
12,000mm x 2,000mm system supplied to DACC Co. in South Korea, May 2007. Two channel ultrasonic data capture through two sets of jet probes halves inspection times.
20,000mm x 2,000mm system supplied to Aries Complex SA in Madrid, Spain, May 2007.
