Improved Reliability and Multi-modal Capability of NDI for Cracks and Corrosion(1001-494)

ABSTRACT: Triton Systems Inc (TSI), in partnership with a military and commercial airframe OEM and inspection device and service providers, proposes to integrate proven automated scanning technology with multi-modal non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques to enable the more efficient and reliable inspection of airframe structures. The proposed TSI solution will utilize a systems engineering approach to coordinate all partner activities. The Phase II proposal addresses the development of an automated, multi-modal data acquisition and analysis inspection system for Air Force airframes and their related structural defects. The primary application for this automated inspection system will be the detection and documentation of crack and corrosion defects on the near and far sides of single layer skin components on C-130J aircraft. The system will scan areas of interest on the fuselage and upper and lower wing surfaces. By integrating an automated scanner platform with simultaneous, multi-modal use of several high-productivity NDI techniques and automated analysis software, it will be shown that the implementation of this proposed concept can significantly reduce inspection time and cost while improving inspection reliability. The feasibility for achieving these productivity gains and reliability improvements has been demonstrated in TSI"s Phase I project. BENEFIT: Anticipated benefits include: Anticipated minimum 10 X improvement in scanning rates; faster total inspection turn-around times; less direct inspection labor content; lower costs; higher inspection reliability provided by the simultaneous, redundant inspection of the same area for the same defect by multiple methods. The proposed innovation can be applied to all military and commercial airframes.