Automated Detection of Dimensional and Positional Locations of Defects on Aircraft Skin Structures (1000-985)

Triton Systems Inc, in partnership with BAE Systems (BAES) and General Electric Inspection Technologies (GEIT), proposes to integrate BAES’ “crawler” robot and laser tracker system with non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques from GEIT to enable the efficient inspection and subsequent repair of aircraft components. The proposed TSI solution will convert the “crawler” robot coordinate data to CAD format to create surface models of the aircraft and/or its components. While the “crawler” robot is traversing the surface it will utilize various metrology and NDI devices to inspect the surface. Since the “crawler” robot position on the surface is known at all times, this enables the mapping of any defects which are detected to the surface model. The combined solution will create a system that allows the cost-effective, reliable detection and digital documentation of surface and sub-surface defects. The primary application for this automated inspection system will be the detection and documentation of dents on the KC-135 fleet which is maintained at Tinker AFB. The “crawler” robot will scan the fuselage and upper and lower wing surfaces looking for dents resulting from FOD and hail. This activity is currently performed on more than fifty aircraft per year, requiring approximately eighty man-hours per aircraft.