Aerospace Component Test Rig Safeguards Aircraft Performance
Billingham, United Kingdom, June 01, 2008 --(PR.com)-- GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corp of Cromwell, Connecticut has taken delivery of a automated test rig for thermal fatigue endurance testing of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite components.
Supplied by Tascomp Limited, of Billingham, UK the test rig was developed in conjunction with GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Luton, UK which specialises in aircraft de-icing technology. Both GKN subsidiary companies are major suppliers of components into commercial and military aircraft markets.
To safeguard aircraft performance and safety it is essential that components operate within strict tolerances with every component being tested and validated as fit for purpose. To achieve this the test rig was purpose built to a demanding customer specification. Requirements included unmanned running, automatic pass/fail verification and automatic test report generation.
Each component is tested by exposure to a controlled series of thermal cycles at or above its rated capabilities. Power is applied to take each component to operating temperature and demineralised water is applied alternatively to stress the component. The system automatically takes measurements of insulation resistance and component resistance to check for early failure of the part under test.
The complex test sequencing, control, data acquisition, reporting and automatic validation is all performed using Prodigy industrial automation software running on a PC with Microsoft Windows operating system.
Prodigy software is developed by Tascomp and features a range of built in facilities that make it ideal for test applications. The use of a single software package like Prodigy offers several benefits over PLC and HMI driven test systems including ease of use, flexibility and lower cost of ownership.
During operation the PC display acts as the operator interface. Screen based forms allow the input of operator ID, and works order number for each test component
Test measurements are recorded to hard disk at all times and allows test runs to be analysed in detail using the versatile built in real time and historic trend displays.
Once the test has commenced it runs automatically through the test sequence unmanned. Manual over-ride, e-stops and fail safe shut down routines ensure safety during periods of unmanned running.
After the required number of test cycles has been completed the software checks the test data for each component. If any of the necessary parameters is not met the component automatically fails validation.
At the end of a test a single page “proof of process” report is generated automatically for each component. This report includes the test header information, a list of all alarms/events and a graph showing key test measurements during the test cycle including the pass/fail validation.
The custom built modular test rig was fully designed, assembled and tested by Tascomp prior to delivery. On site commissioning, operator training as well as ongoing technical support was also provided by the company.
The test rig is the latest in a series of test systems supplied for aerospace component testing to the two companies and the second supplied to GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corporation at their Cromwell, Connecticut site.
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Supplied by Tascomp Limited, of Billingham, UK the test rig was developed in conjunction with GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Luton, UK which specialises in aircraft de-icing technology. Both GKN subsidiary companies are major suppliers of components into commercial and military aircraft markets.
To safeguard aircraft performance and safety it is essential that components operate within strict tolerances with every component being tested and validated as fit for purpose. To achieve this the test rig was purpose built to a demanding customer specification. Requirements included unmanned running, automatic pass/fail verification and automatic test report generation.
Each component is tested by exposure to a controlled series of thermal cycles at or above its rated capabilities. Power is applied to take each component to operating temperature and demineralised water is applied alternatively to stress the component. The system automatically takes measurements of insulation resistance and component resistance to check for early failure of the part under test.
The complex test sequencing, control, data acquisition, reporting and automatic validation is all performed using Prodigy industrial automation software running on a PC with Microsoft Windows operating system.
Prodigy software is developed by Tascomp and features a range of built in facilities that make it ideal for test applications. The use of a single software package like Prodigy offers several benefits over PLC and HMI driven test systems including ease of use, flexibility and lower cost of ownership.
During operation the PC display acts as the operator interface. Screen based forms allow the input of operator ID, and works order number for each test component
Test measurements are recorded to hard disk at all times and allows test runs to be analysed in detail using the versatile built in real time and historic trend displays.
Once the test has commenced it runs automatically through the test sequence unmanned. Manual over-ride, e-stops and fail safe shut down routines ensure safety during periods of unmanned running.
After the required number of test cycles has been completed the software checks the test data for each component. If any of the necessary parameters is not met the component automatically fails validation.
At the end of a test a single page “proof of process” report is generated automatically for each component. This report includes the test header information, a list of all alarms/events and a graph showing key test measurements during the test cycle including the pass/fail validation.
The custom built modular test rig was fully designed, assembled and tested by Tascomp prior to delivery. On site commissioning, operator training as well as ongoing technical support was also provided by the company.
The test rig is the latest in a series of test systems supplied for aerospace component testing to the two companies and the second supplied to GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corporation at their Cromwell, Connecticut site.
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Contact
Tascomp Limited
Paul Sanderson
+44 1642 370666
www.tascomp.com
Paul Sanderson
+44 1642 370666
www.tascomp.com
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