By applications which have to optimize material strength and weight – such as the construction of aircraft or automobiles with electric drive – carbon fiber is the best choice. The aviation sector in particular focuses not only on the production but also on the repair of CFRP components. Working closely with Airbus and Lufthansa Technik, iSAM has developed an autonomous repair process for these composite parts.
Highlights of the iSAM solution
3D detection
of multi-curved components
On-demand generation
of individual, complex trajectories for robot guidance
Integration
of all components into an overall system
Central
process control
Autonomous clearing
out of honeycomb structures of a Fan Cowl Door (FCD)
Autonomous shafting
of a defect in a Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) radome
The advantages of the system
iSAM sensor technology enables a significant reduction in project risk and development costs through:
Time and cost optimization for the carbon repair: the autonomous scarfing is up to six times faster than the manual grinding
Reliable compliance with the maximum permissible position tolerance of the scarf joint
Complete reproducibility of the repair process as a prerequisite for certification
Repair areas can cover several square metres on multi-curved components with an achievable accuracy of up to ±0.06 mm
Unique worldwide
With a globally unique, highly specialised repair system for CFRP materials, iSAM is setting new standards in the autonomous processing of CFRP materials. The system was developed to make work more ergonomic and operation more comfortable, thereby reducing the strain on employees. Another important aspect is sustainability: the solution is designed to use resources efficiently and support environmentally friendly processes.
Industries/References
Implemented for:
Aerospace
Shipbuilding
Automotive
Wind turbines
Supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and awarded the AVK Innovation Award 2021 in the category "Processes and Procedures"