CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/944580
NEWS 21 CompositesWorld.com ZAero: Zero-defect Manufacturing BIZ BRIEF Element Materials Technology (London, UK) completed its acquisition of Exova PLC (Edinburgh, UK). The new Element Group will consist of 200 laboratories located in more than 30 countries. This latest acquisition follows a period of significant growth and is expected to result in excess of US$700 million in annual revenues and serve more than 40,000 customers worldwide. To sup- port the acquisition, Element has fully refinanced its existing banking facilities and raised US$1.4 billion of first and second lien term debt, alongside US$150 million of committed ancillary facili- ties. Element will continue under the leadership of CEO and president Charles Noall, alongside an executive team formed from the senior management groups of both companies. explains, "is that the system's machine learning will be changing all the time and perhaps not always in the right direction. Thus, one of the issues is how to assess and manage this online machine learning in order to keep the process chain stable." Ideally, the more the process operates and the more data it generates, the more intelligent these decision support tools will become. The sensors ZAero is using for layup have been developed in-house. It is also pursuing sensors developed and recently qualified by InFactory Solutions for MTorres AFP equip- ment. "Our experiments are currently based on dry fiber placement with MTorres and FIDAMC," Eitzinger adds. DANOBAT's Automated Dry Material Placement (ADMP) process will also be used, because it enables placing a large amount of material in a short time. Simulation work, led by Dassault Systémes, is currently focusing on the layup process. Eitzinger explains, "If there are defects, what do you do? Instead of using the current set of complex rules, their approach is to acquire data from how the part is actually manufactured and use this in FEA models to predict the part's performance. You simulate the defect using real data and predict what impact it will have. Can it stay or does it need to be removed/addressed?" The automated inspection system is projected to generate savings of €150 million/year if implemented as planned in the series production of Airbus (Toulouse, France) A320neo carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) wing covers. They will also resolve the inability of current quality control systems to keep up with Airbus' increased aircraft production rates (60 aircraft/month). Discussion of the ZAero project expands online in the CW Blog | short. gardnerweb.com/ZAero and its follow-up on the resin infusion flow front sensors being developed for resin state moni- toring during cure. Also read CW's February cover story "Improving composites process- ing with automated inspection" | short. compositesworld.com/AutoInspEI, and this CW Blog | short.compositesworld.com/MaassBlog. W T F yoming est ixtures INC. • Over 40 types of fixtures in stock, ready to be shipped. • Expert consultation with Dr. Adams • Email or call today to discuss your fixture and custom design needs. Boeing Compression After Impact Test Fixture ASTM D 7137 2960 E. Millcreek Canyon Road Salt Lake City, UT 84109 Phone (801) 484.5055 Fax (801) 484.6008 email: wtf@wyomingtestfixtures.com www.wyomingtestfixtures.com Dr. Donald F. Adams President 50 years of Composite Testing Experience We provide quotes for a variety of grips, fixtures, and jigs. We carry over 40 types of fixtures in stock, available for immediate delivery. Email or call us today. We look forward to hearing from you. Celebrate our 30th Anniversary with a Bestselling Fixture! Three & Four Point Flexure Test Fixture ASTM D 790, 6272, 7264 V-Notched Rail Shear Test Fixture ASTM D 7078 Boeing Open-Hole Compression Test Fixture ASTM D 6484 Combined Loading Compression Test Fixture ASTM D 6641 Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence 1988-2018