Metrology in Aerospace

Since the Wright brothers soared 120 feet back in 1903, a few serious considerations have remained at the forefront of keeping people safely airborne.

Whether it’s the supersonic Concorde, or the world’s largest aeroplane, the Stratolaunch (with a wingspan of 385 feet) – it’s easy to argue there’s little room for error.

It goes without saying that accurate measurements are critical for ensuring the safety and performance of aircraft and spacecraft. Precision measurements are necessary for the design, manufacture, and maintenance of all key components, be it engines, wings or navigation systems.

The need for high levels of accuracy is particularly crucial for determining the dimensions and tolerances of critical parts, and for evaluating the quality of these components during the design and manufacturing processes.

The implementation of consistent metrology practices across the aerospace industry also helps ensure the compatibility and interchangeability of parts between different manufacturers, where necessary.

Frankly, metrology enables:

• Improved safety

Precision engineering helps to reduce the risk of component failures, which can be dangerous in the high-stakes environment of aerospace. Precisely manufactured parts help to ensure that systems work as intended, reducing the likelihood of malfunctions or failures during flight.

• Enhanced performance

Precision engineering helps to optimise the performance of aircraft and spacecraft by ensuring that components fit and work together as intended. This can improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, making aircraft and spacecraft more cost-effective to operate.

• Increased reliability

Precisely manufactured components are less likely to fail, which can result in more reliable aircraft and spacecraft. This can reduce maintenance costs and minimize downtime.

• Innovation

Precision engineering helps to make possible new designs and technologies that would not be feasible with less accurate manufacturing methods.

At Status we have first-hand experience. Here’s what we’ve previously encountered :

The Problem

Status works extensively throughout the UK, but on this occasion, the customer was located somewhat closer to our headquarters, just outside Nottingham.

As an established engineering business with an enviable portfolio of clients, they already owned a Co-ordinate Measuring Machine. However, the CMM was running a niche software package that wasn’t supported on the latest version of Windows.

Added to this, the measuring inspection software’s functionality was behind market standards and concerns were growing about its lack of investment and development.

The client’s business was experiencing strong growth which brought with it the demand to inspect much larger components. The decision was reached internally to replace the old CMM and find a new software provider to support it.

The Solution

The intrinsic value of CMM’s is no longer found within the bridge and granite bed but the technology and sensors that power it. With PC-DMIS being so prevalent within Aerospace Manufacturing but the budgets not being quite there to invest in a new CMM. Status as the only other UK distributor of PC-DMIS was the obvious choice.

Status supplied a fully refurbished LK G90C CMM benefitting from a 3-metre bed. The CMM came equipped with a brand new Hexagon RC1 controller and Jogbox, Dell PC Workstation and Hexagon’s market-leading software, PC-DMIS Cad. The machine was direct from stock and ready to go so the lead time perfectly met with the new contract start dates.

To purchase the equivalent CMM, brand new from an OEM would have cost upwards of £180,000 and involved a significant lead-time before delivery. The ‘Status Approved’ CMM was implemented quickly and reduced the investment by well over £100,000 without compromising a future-proofed, cutting-edge system, with the global leading software solution – PC-DMIS.

If you’d like to discuss how we could help your business, why not get in touch for a quick chat?