Technology coupled with innovation can work wonders for various aircraft maintenance operations. As engineering technics seamlessly blend with digital technology a newer, more efficient, innovative and easy-to-use product emerges saving useful man-hours as well as cost. Recognising this, 8tree’s inspection engines are set to join hands with Avinxt’s automatic robots.
As the inspection engines seamlessly merge with automatic robotic system, a product that is faster, more environmentally friendly and more cost-effective than traditional methods will emerge. The product is expected to be a game-changer in the aircraft inspection industry.
Features of the new technology
- The Avinxt automation cell offers an extremely high level of automation. The robot has an automatic tool change for aircraft washing, de-icing and inspecting.
- Operatable at night.
- The robot uses 3D models (digital twins).
- The robot always keeps a safety distance to protect the aircraft.
- The product is designed to provide unparalleled speed and efficiency when it comes to aircraft inspections. With the use of robots carrying inspection cameras, there is no need for rigging of safety equipment, which greatly reduces downtime and increases aircraft operational availability.
- The inspection product provides fast and accurate inspection results, helping to streamline the inspection process and reduce the time required for maintenance checks.
- By eliminating the need for rigging and other time-consuming preparation, the product can significantly reduce aircraft downtime, allowing for faster return to service.
Avinxt claims that their state-of-the-art robots are equipped with high-quality inspection cameras, allowing them to provide detailed and accurate assessments of aircraft components and structures. The entire inspection process becomes highly efficient, precise, and non-invasive, minimizing downtime and maximizing aircraft availability.
While explaining the working of 8tree integration with Avinxt robotics technology, Avinxt asserts that the technology can provide real-time analysis of inspection data, allowing for immediate identification of any areas of concern. This further leads to quick decision-making and helps to minimize downtime, ensuring that your aircraft can get back in the air as soon as possible.
When asked about how is this technology different from the others in the race, 8tree’s Leonard Buck says: “When talking about automation, drones are the industry buzzword number one currently. At 8tree we keep our eyes open for other technologies as well. The Avinxt robotic automation cell is a beautiful example of an automation vision of the future without drones.”
“The Avinxt vision is unique because it combines many different use-cases in one automation cell, leveraging ROI calculations and minimizing aircraft down-times,” Buck adds.
Excited to work with Avinxt on this novel robotics inspection platform, chief executive and chief technical officer, 8tree, Erik Klaas adds: “Never before was it possible to automate aircraft inspection to this degree. We see a big potential not only in the case of hail damage assessment on the entire aircraft but also in cases where the aircraft changes ownership. This has always been an area with lots of debate which now can be resolved with an objective and quick process.”
Uses
The automatic robotics system can be used for
- De-icing
- Washing and engine wash
The robot will be built and its debut operations will be conducted at Avinor Oslo Airport (OSL).
The robot, which replaces the current manual and time-consuming processes, is faster, more environmentally friendly and more cost-effective than traditional methods.
“By integrating 8tree’s technology with our robotics system, we can scan aircraft for damage. The system performs aircraft surface inspections with extreme precision within a few hours, compared to manual processes that take several weeks,” adds Ove Troen, chief executive, Avinxt. “We believe this service will be in high demand from airlines and leasing companies as it will significantly reduce costs.”
With this partnership, 8tree and Avinxt aims to provide real-time analysis of inspection data, allowing for immediate identification of any areas of concern. This feature allows for quick decision-making and helps to minimize downtime, ensuring that your aircraft can get back in the air as soon as possible.
While talking to industry contacts and potential customers, the 8tree founding partners Erik Klaas and Arun Chhabra learned early on that traditional dent-mapping is highly time-consuming and error-prone. This learning curve was the birth of the dentCHECK vision that is the reality today – ‘1-click 3D dent-mapping’ that unleashes up to 90% time-saving while delivering 25x more consistent measurement results.
8tree’s 3D inspection engines can be found in the hands of human operators, mounted on drones, and integrated into robotic automation cells. The dentCHECK platform is the world’s only handheld-portable, completely wireless 3D scanner tool with integrated AR that is purpose-built for the aviation maintenance industry and recognized by all major aerospace OEMs.
Also Read – RTX’s Collins tests 80 kW cooling capacity on EPACS for F-35 fighter jet
By leveraging the expertise of both companies, the new technology will be able to offer a highly efficient and effective inspection solution that can rapidly detect and assess damage on aircraft surfaces.
Note– MRO Business Today is the Principal Media Partner of the 5th MRO SOUTH ASIA SUMMIT 2024 co-located with the MRO XPO INDIA & AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INDIA 2024 to be held on 27,28 & 29 February 2024 at the Le Méridien New Delhi, India.
