Aircraft Components
The following photos, and descriptions show some of the hundreds of NDT systems Andec has installed worldwide at airline facilities, manufacturers and independent inspection companies to test aircraft components to prevent catastrophic failure after installation on an airplane.
Andec Ultrasonic and Eddy Current immersion testing tanks have been installed for NDT of critical engine parts, while large and small flat and contoured composite panels are tested in dedicated ultrasonic scanning systems. Over a period of more than forty years, Andec has specialized in the development of better aircraft wheel and tiebolt testing systems, some of which are covered by patents or patent applications.
More of these Andec testing systems are installed worldwide than the total of any other make of aircraft part testing systems.
Immersion Testing Tank for Aircraft Engine Fan Disks and Spools
This high speed, precision, seven axis, Ultrasonic Immersion and submerged Eddy Current scanning system, was initially designed for the inspection of aircraft engine disks and spools.
Bridge, carriage and search arm are capable of scanning in X,Y,Z & R modes.
Bottom mounted precision rotator, including part holding clamping arrangements.
Approved to critical engine manufacturers’ standards.
Inside dimensions 1525mm (5’) wide, 1525mm (5’) long and 1220mm (4’) deep.
Can be supplied in any practical dimensions, with multiple axes and the latest Ultrasonic, or Eddy Current instrumentation and software control.
Seven Axis Multi Transducer Ultrasonic Waterjet Scanning Systems for Flat and Contoured Composite Panels
Using four or six Andec patented “Laminar Link” waterjets mounted in preprogrammed contour following configurations, each of these two different systems provides a wide scan path for high speed panel testing.
Unique precision panel holding carts provide continuous operation without the loss of time for panel set up before or removal after each scan. After the scanning of a panel is completed, the wheeled cart on which it is mounted, is moved out on rails, mounted in the overall drip tray, and a newly mounted panel is rolled on the other cart into the other testing location to be scanned.
The scanned panel is removed from its cart and a new panel is mounted during the time in which the other panel is being scanned, providing significant time savings.
The larger system is capable of scanning panels up to 3650mm (12’) long, 1825mm (6’) wide held in the vertical direction, and 610mm (2’) curved horizontally to each side.
The smaller system, shown with one pre-mounted curved panel, and another one being scanned, can scan panels up to 1820 mm (6’) long, 1220 (4’) wide and 38mm (1.5’) curved to each side.
The scanning water is collected in a bottom tray under the complete scanning area, as well as the mounting areas so that most of the water can drip from each panel before removal. From there it is pumped back to the waterjets through a special deairation and filter system.
These systems can be supplied in any practical dimensions.
Ultrasonic Water Squirter System for Very Large Composite Panels
This system is designed to scan large flat or contoured aircraft composite panels in the pulse echo or through transmission modes, using two or more of the Andec patented water column coupling devices (watersquirters).
This system has the capacity to scan panels of any length while being held on wheeled carriages on which the panel can move horizontally on bottom mounted rails.
The maximum width of a panel, held vertically, is 3650mm (12’) flat, or curved to 1825 (6’) in the horizontal direction across the panel.
It can be supplied with a centrally mounted turntable (removable), to provide the capability to scan round tube-like composite sections vertically up to 3650mm (12’) long and up to 1825mm (6’) diameter.
The system is computer controlled from the adjacent operation room, where the scanning results are shown on large colour displays and an Andec, custom made, printer with 915mm (36”) wide custom rolled paper.
Ultrasonic Waterjet Scanning System for Large Flat Composite Panels
This system was designed for the need to scan only large flat composite panels of about 3650 (12’) long and about 3050mm (10’) wide, held vertically to test primarily for ply delaminations.
The Andec patented ‘Laminar Link waterjets’ scan, in a specific preset pattern, to detect and record the delaminations in selected areas of the panel.
The location and dimension of unbond tolerance are determined by the application and use of each panel.
The scanning water is collected in a bottom tray under the scanning area and pumped back to the waterjets, through a deairation and filter system.
Ultrasonic Waterjet Scanning System for Contoured Composite Panels
This system was specifically designed for military jet “gun door” panels of up to 1525 mm (72”) horizontally and 1270 mm (50”) vertically, contoured in both directions, but can be used for any size panel within those dimensions.
It is using the Andec patented “Laminar Link” water column coupling devices, mounted on a u-shaped frame. After each horizontal scan the u-shaped frame rotates slightly to keep the water columns at right angles to the surface of the composite panel on the return scan.
The scanning water is collected in the bottom tray and pumped back to the waterjets via a special deairation and filter system.
Multi Axis Ultrasonic Immersion and Waterjet Scanning System for Composite Panels
This system has two long independent manipulator arms and gimbled transducer holders, using Andec patented “Laminar Link” coupling devices in the empty tank, or with full immersion in the water filled tank, to inspect flat and contoured composite panels, tubes, and other parts, with pulse echo or through transmission.
Inside dimensions of the heavy stainless-steel tank, with thick acrylic viewing windows along most of the lengths on both sides, as initially installed and shown, were 6100mm (20’) long, 1830mm (6’) wide and 1675mm (5.5’) deep. Length was later extended to 12200mm (40’) long, and instrumentation replaced with late model units and with the software updated for the latest equipment operation.
Can be supplied in any practical dimensions.
Most of the Andec immersion or water squirter scanning systems are supplied with the special Andec couplant water conditioning pumps and tanks, which guarantee air bubble free clear clean water, with constant pressure.