From ribs and stringers to fuel nozzles and turbo pumps, airplanes are made up of thousands of components of various sizes and shapes, often with specialized finishes and treatments. The quality of each part must be controlled based on tight performance criteria and tolerances.
To do so, the industry must rely on certified measuring instruments with the highest possible accuracy. CMMs are unquestionably the most accurate metrology equipment, but they take time to operate and must be handled by trained and experienced employees. Due to high demand, CMMs are often overloaded, and bottlenecks are common, leading to productivity issues.
With a metrology-grade 3D scanner, quality managers have more latitude. They can inspect critical dimensions of high-tolerance features with the CMM, while any remaining controls can be handled by 3D scanning technology, regardless of size, shape, and surface finish.
Creaform Solutions for the Aerospace Industry