16 / 28
Applications + Knowledge
| News for Factory Automation 1/2016
The doors are closed. The wheels start rolling. The turbines are howling.
At this moment, the powerful giant rises, floating in the air. Achieving
a smooth, safe flight requires maintaining the airplane in top condition
down to the millimeter. In aviation, one of the big challenges in engine
maintenance and repairs is to be able to accurately detect tiny hairline
cracks inside combustion chambers. A method known as dye penetrant
inspection is used for this purpose. It is an established process that
encompasses several steps. In simple terms, a penetrant – a fluid with
low viscosity – that contains fluorescent dye is applied to the component.
This fluid penetrates into even the tiniest cracks through capillary
action. After a surface cleaning, drying, and then wetting with a
substance called developer powder, ultraviolet light is used to reveal
the cracks. This process makes it possible to detect even the tiniest
Pepperl+Fuchs’ subsidiary VMT (Vision Machine Technic
Bildverarbeitungssysteme) is part of the challenging
AutoInspect research project launched by Lufthansa
Technik AG. The goal of the project is to develop a fully
automated system for detecting and evaluating cracks
in combustion chamber components.
cracks. Dye penetrant inspection is a highly effective, but tedious and
time-consuming method. It is also energy-intensive and can have an
undesired environmental impact.
Fully Automated Crack Detection
of Combustion Chamber Components
The Engine Services division at Lufthansa Technik has set itself the
goal of continuously improving engine component maintenance
processes for customers. Automation plays an ever-larger role in this,
from inspection and parts measurement to repairs. To implement
the first step in this future automated process chain, the AutoInspect
research project was launched in April 2011. Its goal: fully automated
detection and evaluation of cracks in combustion chamber components.
Reaching New Heights
of Safety
16