Innovation is the name of the game

All great ideas start with small steps, the ability to take a technology and apply it to everyday business issues.

Inspection is a necessary part of the manufacturing process, it is traditionally slow and expensive, and in the main will only inspect critical features on a part or product. The Aerospace, Defence and Automotive industry is evolving constantly with new ideas.

What has not changed is inspection, it is still slow, still only does part of the job, requires highly trained staff and innovation is at best slow. Over the last 12 months GemDT have been working with industry partners to see how Markerless Industrial Grade Photogrammetry can innovate this traditional sector. Markerless inspection, reducing errors and improving productivity in inspection.

Speaking to clients about their needs and applying simple innovative proof of concepts, creating rigs to prove the solution is fit for purpose and apply proven methodologies to assist in resolving business requirements. Using innovation and industry knowledge, GemDT consultants provide ideas, technology and innovation to solve an industry problem/s.

Looking at an aerospace requirement, quick fast and accurate inspection of parts of a plane when on stand or in a hangar. Dent and Buckle, bird strikes, lightning strikes and general wear and tear. All issues that can keep a plane on the ground longer than necessary, increasing cost and reducing profit margins.

Technology innovation is part of a solution not the whole answer, giving the client the ability to use a purposely designed scanning device for a required task assists in solving the 1st issue, is there a problem?

Identifying the problem in minutes as opposed to hours. Then having that data on an inspection device is only useful to the device operator, that information needs to be shared with maintenance engineers and even the OEM of the plane. Enter the Engineering Hub, data is shared in real time, engineers, maintenance technicians and even the OEM can see in 3D, see what the issue is, making real time decisions. Reducing Time on Ground (TOG).

Using technology empowers people to be involved in crucial decision making, linking multiple data sources like ERP, HR, CRM, SCM, MES etc, decisions can be made about an issue, are there spares in stock? Do we have the correct qualified person on shift? Do we have the correct tools i.e. a Cherry Picker available? these are issues that traditionally could take hours to agree, now can be done in minutes.

Innovation is not about trying to fit an existing (off the shelf) product into a environment it was not designed for. Real innovation is taking a technology and developing something that will sort a client's problem. One size has never fitted all.

Inspecting static products is what all traditional inspection products have been designed for, but not all products are static. Take the production line of a Automotive Factory and Aerospace Factory, or even in ship building. Parts move and inspecting them while they are moving saves time, reduces errors (cossessions) and improves productivity and therefore profit.

Looking at a solution (Rig) maybe static in line? Mounted on a robotic arm? This level of innovation would be advantageous to a number of industries in manufacture and Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO), fixed or robotic rigs that can be used when a product is traditionally in transit.

Photogrammetry is a technology that lends itself to such a industry issue, taking a number of RAW Data images and turning them fast and accurately into point cloud for inspection is now a proven method. By having point cloud and the original images, these can be revisited at a later date to be used in areas like CFD, FEA should new test could be required.

We have designed Proof of Concept rigs to address these issues, taken scans of moving products and compared them to nominal CAD data to show what is possible accurately and fast.

Size need not be an issue, strategically placed high resolution sensors can capture all parts of an aircraft, and in hours report on any damage on the whole plane, and also if not the 1st scan, compare against the last scan. Giving airlines a Digital Twin of all flying assets.

The ability to scan and aircraft in hours not days, enables airlines and OEM's to scan aircraft on entering the hangar and also when leaving. it is a recognised issue that most damage to an aircraft happens while on the ground. The as arrived state, and as departed state, addressing problems before they become issues.

And in the event that a plane may require to be inspected against a stealth requirement in double quick time, that could also be possible.

Innovation is all about having a technology and adapting that technology to a clients requirements, giving them the ability to embrace technology for innovation, new manufacturing processes, enhance a product and support and most importantly increasing quality, safety and profits for the business.

The approach of GemDT is use the technologies we have inhouse, look for complementary solutions that would enhance our offer to our clients as a Solutions Provider, work with the client on the requirements and design and support that solution through life.

Our mantra is to be a innovator, and disruptor in Legacy Data, Inspection and The Digital Twin, working with the best partners and clients, we aim to change how companies look at traditional methods and demand innovation.