ZAERO project: Month 30 Meeting in Munich
On 27th-28th March, ZAero project’s M30 meeting was held in Airbus Facilities, Munich (Germany). Apart from checking the current situation of the project, the consortium members were able to organize the last meeting in Fidamc (Spain), that will be used to show the different demos that have been developed within the project. The project will be finishing in September 2019.

ZAero wins JEC’19 Innovation Award

The ZAero project showed strong presence at the JEC World 2019, the largest trade fair for composites manufacturing. In numbers, the JEC’19 had more than 1300 exhibitors from 123 countries with over 43000 professional visits. In a ceremony organized on the second day of the event, the ZAero project was awarded the JEC World 2019 Innovation Award in the category Aerospace Process. After a motivating special key note talk by Bertrand Piccard, the initiator of the Solar Impulse project, the innovation award was handed over to representatives from the ZAero project by Professor Sung Ha. The ZAero consortium is very happy about the award and feels a strong motivation to continue hard work on the project.

Read More

Future tech: robotic repair on the runway

A team of researchers has successfully trialled a four-wheel robot capable of carrying out structural inspections on aircrafts. The robot can stick to and move around the sides and underbelly of an aircraft, as it hopes to revolutionise and automate aircraft maintenance. With a little more than a year left before its official release, the prototype robot, called Vortex Robot, was successfully trialled on Cranfield University’s Boeing 737 aircraft in February.
Read More

VIEWS project: Validation and Integration of Manufacturing Enablers for Future Wing Structures
The VIEWS project involves the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) in collaboration with Spirit AeroSystems, the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, and other partners. Together, they have developed a novel and truly flexible automation facility which combines conventional metrology processes and NDE techniques in a first-of-its kind robot cell.
Read More

Optimized dynamic line scanning thermography for aircraft structures

In-line inspection of advanced components, remains a challenging task in industry. A methodology is discussed which uses numerical simulations to automatically determine the best set of experimental parameters to inspect the structure on defects using active thermography. The inspection is performed using an industrial conveyor belt or a robotic arm optimized using a numerical model of the defected test sample. During the path planning, the directional emissivity is considered for the complex surface and an optimal experimental setup is found. The results show that in-line quality evaluation of complex shaped structures is improved with a minimal amount of inspection time.
Read More

Creaform Inaugurates U.S. Automated Quality Control Demonstration Center

Creaform, a worldwide leader in portable and automated 3D measurement solutions, last week inaugurated its new U.S. demonstration and benchmark center for its 3D inspection cell, the CUBE-R. As a powerful and turnkey automated inspection solution, the CUBE-R helps manufacturers and suppliers quickly detect assembly issues during production to mitigate costly quality problems after product delivery. Because it is a fast, reliable, and efficient alternative to traditional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), the CUBE-R can be used for a wide variety of applications, such as sheet metal, casting, and composite part inspections.
Read More

Boeing Reports First-Quarter Results
The Boeing Company reported first-quarter revenue of $22.9 billion, GAAP earnings per share of $3.75 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* of $3.16, reflecting lower 737 deliveries partially offset by higher defense and services volume. Boeing generated operating cash flow of $2.8 billion and paid $1.2 billion of dividends.The previously issued 2019 financial guidance does not reflect 737 MAX impacts. Due to the uncertainty of the timing and conditions surrounding return to service of the 737 MAX fleet, new guidance will be issued at a future date. Boeing is making steady progress on the path to final certification for a software update for the 737 MAX, with over 135 test and production flights of the software update complete.
Read More

Airbus reports First Quarter (Q1) 2019 results
Airbus SE reported First Quarter (Q1) 2019 consolidated financial results and maintained its guidance for the full-year. “The first quarter underlying financials mainly reflect our commercial aircraft ramp-up and delivery phasing,” said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury. “The commercial aircraft market remains robust and we continue to see good prospects in the helicopters and defence and space businesses. The new management team is in place and focused on delivering on our commitments.”
Read More