While today 3D scanners may not be found in the aerospace production environment, the technology is the future of design and manufacturing. There is no doubt that the technology is increasing efficiency. Thus, the number of 3D scanners in the aerospace industry is likely to change.
3D scanning in airplane manufacturing is a relatively new concept, but it is gaining traction. With the number of air crafts rapidly increasing, owners and manufacturers need to keep up with customer demands. From keeping aging air crafts operational to corrosion inspection, 3D optical scanners are your one-stop-destination. The technology is proving as a beneficial tool because it offers a myriad of applications, even in the complex industry like aerospace.
3D Scanners Perform Corrosion and hail damage inspections
Corrosion is an inevitable aspect of the aerospace industry and it causes detrimental effects on the aviation parts. From the top, the depth of corrosion might seem insignificant, but upon digging deeper, the damage may be irreversible. Measuring the corrosion depth accurately requires a lot of time and precision. This where 3D scanners come in the picture. Most scanners boast a measuring depth ranging from +/- 0.002 inch. The scanners are a perfect solution to measure the corrosion depth.
Another area of concern for the maintenance team is keeping track and reversing hail damage. Visual and manual inspection is a nightmare for a technician because achieving 90% accuracy is nearly impossible. Using 3D optical scanners, on the other hand, can effortlessly capture the hail damage with precision and without wasting time. The 3D technology is empowering manufacturers to translate their time into money by focusing on other engineering aspects.
Flying of aging aircraft
Due to multiple air crafts aging, maintenance staff continuously works hard to find replacement parts at an affordable cost. However, if the manufacturing company is out of business or the part is not available, the team must focus on reverse engineering the part. Besides, the new part must conform to the current standards, making reverse engineering a financially nonviable option. However, this is no longer the case with 3D technology. Using 3D technology, the maintenance team can measure, model and re-fabricate any aircraft part or structure. The dimensional information from the scanners provide helps in the error-free manufacturing of the parts.
3D Scanners lead to Innovative cabin designs
The interiors of an aircraft play an important factor in cultivating flyer loyalty. An aircraft with appealing aesthetics and interiors will enhance the customer’s flying experience. With 3D technology, manufacturers can further improve interior design by using 3D scanners to provide an accurate measurement for mounting holes and other areas available for design. This information is vital for designers to craft a visually appealing cabin.
When it comes to aerospace, the location of the part is of least concern because the 3D scanners work for everything from jet engine components to modeling aircraft bodies. With the use of 3D technology, the aerospace industry is witnessing a paradigm shift in the way manufacturing earlier done. This budding technology is here to stay, and in the coming year, it will reshape the entire aircraft manufacturing.
