ACCURATe - Aerospace Composite Components - Ultrasonic Robot Assisted Testing
The EU project ACCURATe aims to develop a prototype system based on the technology of laser ultrasonics. This system is intended to enable fast, and above all non-destructive, testing of hybrid composite structures such as carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs), (strongly) damping materials or thick laminates. In aircraft construction, a growing number of components, including large load-bearing structures, are being made of CFRPs to reduce weight. Thoroughly reliable inspection of these materials is essential. Using laser ultrasonics, delamination and inclusions can be detected by means of the echoes generated so that appropriate rectification measures can then be taken. The major challenge for this project is the measuring speed of 400 points per second that is required. This necessitates the development of new lasers and detection systems.
The ACCURATe consortium is composed of specialists in the fields of laser development, robotics and non-destructive testing. Apart from RECENDT and TWI (The Welding Institute, UK), participants in the 2-year project are the laser manufacturer Innolas (GER) and the firm of KUKA Systems (UK).
Funding scheme: EU H2020 Clean Sky 2
