When it comes to the aerospace industry, accuracy and speed never go hand-in-hand, even though both are required. Today, the 3D scanning technology is revolutionizing the aerospace casting and helping maintain the aging aircraft. When the original manufacturers no longer exist, aircraft maintenance needs to find a way to reverse engineer and re-fabricate the damaged parts. The new parts need to conform to the specifications and standards. Otherwise, it will possess security issues. However, with additive manufacturing, the entire process is made financially viable. The right scanning technology helps in providing speed and accuracy to the entire process of reverse engineering.
How 3D scanning brings a paradigm shift in the aerospace sector
1) 3D scanning works for everything
From designing airframe parts to modeling cockpit areas and aircraft bodies, 3D scanning is capable of achieving everything under the sun. Non-contact laser scanners, which are widely used in the industry capture millions of data points in minimal time enabling the scanning of even complex parts. Furthermore, in an industry where time is the key, the speed with which these scanners capture the data is mind-blowing. Apart from enhancing the speed and accuracy, 3D scanners reduce the scope for human error and eliminate the probability of wasting material during the modeling stage. Furthermore, it helps in maintaining the production schedule and meeting the deadlines.
2) 3D scanning revolutionizes the casting industry
Apart from manufacturing metal components, the 3D scanning technology is helping the aerospace industry to get precise and accurate components for long lasting operations. The scanners have excellent measuring capabilities and can check the geometric dimensions of the parts with ease. Furthermore, the data can directly be sent to the CAD software to alter or replicate the data for future use. The ability to capture million data points results in exact product dimension. The technology is faster than the traditional methods of creating models. The entire process can capture even the tiniest possible error which can be overlooked by the human eye. Also, the scanners help in creating accurate CAD data, which aids in the replication of data with precision.
3) Other applications
The 3D technology is beneficial for a plethora of challenging efforts in the aviation sector. Such applications include corrosion inspection, hail damage, fixture measurement, tooling measurement, propeller comparison, RSVM inspection and cabin retrofits. The technology is helping save time and money. Also, the 3D laser scanners leave absolutely no room for error and are beneficial for other challenging measurement efforts in the aviation industry.
With advanced 3D scanning technology, companies can achieve higher accuracy for measuring and reverse engineering larger or smaller parts. The possibility of using scanning technology in aerospace is unlimited. Companies can digitize the entire airplanes to perform any tests, comparison, and inspection. The growing additive manufacturing space is using digital assemblies to sort out fitting problems, which saves a lot of time.
