Composite Automation, LLC

Innovative Composites Manufacturing Solutions

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Composites Non Destructive Inspection

Composite Automation is proud to represent multiple companies that are experts in the field of non destructive inspection, virtual stress analysis, and non contact CMM using high performance optics.  Our partners have the ability to assess requirements and recommend unique high value solutions that cover well understood technologies and systems.  They have the ability to perform process development, Level I, II & III training as well as running your NDI lab.  Our facilities can also perform full inspection and certification of parts.  We can solve your NDI, stress measurement and CMM application.

Aerospace Non Destructive Inspection

Arcadia Aerospace NADCAP and AS9100 Certifications Cover NDT Inspection Services

The Arcadia Aerospace Industries Team offer manufacturers a reliable high-quality and self managed alternative to in-house Nondestructive Inspection (NDI). The AAI alternative to in-house NDI and CMM offers diverse and extensive solutions in custom inspection machinery, tooling fabrication, application development and automation for rate requirements.

Arcadia Aerospace Industries (AAI) is a multi-faceted aerospace company serving the Nadcap Special Process needs of aerospace component manufacturers and suppliers around the world.

AAI’s leading aerospace composite inspection technology team utilizes proprietary technology and extensive aerospace expertise to provide aerospace and industry leaders with cost-effective, time-efficient and superb-quality solutions to advanced metal and composite material challenges in inspection, engineering, quality and special process manufacturing.

Our inspection centers provide application-specific state-of-the-art instrumentation and automated systems that are utilized to solve known throughput and efficiency issues faced in the composite manufacturing sector, helping manufacturers meet their rate commitments.

Arcadia provides inspection of composite airframe components at its Nadcap certified facilities in Punta Gorda, Florida, Bethsalem, Pennsylvania and Tallassee, Alabama.  Our Florida facility also provides inspection system optimization, consulting, design, upgrade, and integrated system manufacturing.(These Engineering Services are not covered under the Nadcap and AS9100 NDT Certified Services)

Thermographic Non Destructive Testing

MoviTherm’s thermographic non destructive testing provides the composites part manufacturer to inspect both cured and in-cured parts for defects such as FOD, wrinkles, disbonds, de-laminations and other anomalies.

The detection and prevention of FOD is essential to the profitable production of composite parts. The ideal solution would include the detection of FOD PRIOR  to cure enabling a repair to the part before additional value is added and certainly before it is cured.

The technology has the ability to inspect larger areas (1’x1′ area) on a cured part than traditional ultrasonics enabling higher throughputs.  The system can be moved by hand or on an automated gantry system.

This is a picture of what can be seen using Thermography.

Result Image FODView

The images on this page contain examles of how the system shows the presence of FOD and other part defects. Visible are wrinkles and different FOD swatches artificially added underneath ply one and two.

Scalable FOD Measurement System

FODView is a scalable and modular measurement system. The base system consists of a heat source (1.7kW Halogen Lamp), a smart thermal camera and a tablet PC with measurement software. This setup provides an inspection area of 13″ x 17″ during a single measurement. A typical measurement takes about 4-6 seconds until the result image is being displayed. Larger inspection areas can be achieved by adding additional halogen heat sources to the system and/or adding multiple cameras. The measurement head is small and compact and can easily be mounted on a mechanically articulated arm or robot for automated measurements.

FOD Detection

Detects a variety of FOD, such as release film, Teflon and other tape fragments. Insects, Razor Blades and other metal particles, pieces of gloves as well as air voids and wrinkles.

Easy and Reliable Setup

Measurements are very easy to perform. A single button click starts the measurement. A contrast slider on the touchscreen interface allows the operator to enhance the inspection results, if needed. Measurement parameters can be saved and recalled with a touch of a button. Settings are password protected to avoid unauthorized manipulation of the setup.

Reverse Engineering & Surface Inspection

3D Surface Scanning

Additive Ai is a sales and service provider in the realm of Reverse engineering and 3D surface inspection. Our scanners are metrology grade packaged with Aerospace’s top certification ISO9001 certified which is part of the AS9100 certification

3D laser scanners output hundreds of thousands of points per second, this gives a high density of points compared to a probe based system like CMM. Detect surface variation, tooling , machined parts, 3D printed part inspection,