Etek Aero, Prestwick Aerospace Centre

Aerospace

Precise inspection systems for a demanding industry

Since the aerospace and defense sector has one of the strictest safety and security protocols in place, these well-established industries are continuously seeking the best quality control tools and methods available. Comet Yxlon inspection systems support manufacturers in their aim to surveil and improve their production processes to reduce costs, improve lead times and enhance uptime.

Comet Yxlon X-ray and CT systems are designed to meet the most critical aerospace and defense standards and ensure the safe, reliable inspection of aircraft parts and materials.

Aerospace industries and applications served by Comet Yxlon

Civil aviation for passenger and cargo transport, helicopters, business jets


Military aviation, military helicopters


Air fighters and transporters


Defense


New Space and satellites

Weapons and ammunition


Protection, shielding


UAV, drones


eVTOLs (e.g., air taxis)


Avionics

testing-new-cfrp-materials-for-uav-and-evtol-developments

Driving materials research and development

In the face of climate change and rising prices for resources, the passenger and cargo aviation industries in particular are working on innovative approaches for zero-emission locomotion. Development is based on research into new materials, e. g. carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) for fuselage or interiors, but materials research is also essential for the development of new efficient and emission-free propulsion technologies, such as batteries or hydrogen. Comet Yxlon industrial X-ray and CT systems support manufacturers and engineers by driving materials research and development and improving their production processes.

The advantages of 3D CT inspection over 2D X-ray radioscopy

Due to the wide range of possible applications and flexible evaluation options that computed tomography (CT) offers, the aerospace industry is shifting from the more traditional 2D radioscopy toward 3D CT inspection. Although the inspection with modern CT technology takes a little longer than X-ray testing, it delivers data that is significantly more comprehensive. For example, the exact spatial position of defects, such as pores, can only be reliably determined with CT and its multitude of viewing angles. CT data sets also allow downstream inspections of the component in all three dimensions and facilitate various metrology applications.

The advantages of 3D CT inspection over 2D X-ray radioscopy
Additive Manufacturing New ways in production and inspection

Additive Manufacturing: New ways in production and inspection

Whether it’s for weight reduction or the integration of novel cooling and fuel concepts, additive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of new component geometries. 3D printing helps create complex structures, especially within components, which usually cannot be produced with conventional methods, such as metal casting. Due to the strict safety and security standards in the aerospace industry, innovative components manufactured with new technologies like AM must undergo meticulous quality inspections. Comet Yxlon has a keen eye for technological and market developments around AM and engineers their X-ray and CT inspection systems and their functionalities to meet the specific demands of the aerospace sector.

Assessing the effects of defects with CT

The simple presence of a defect in a component does not determine whether it will have an impact on e. g. an aircraft during its whole life cycle or not. Therefore, it is essential to determine which exact effect a defect, such as a pore or crack, will have on the component and thus on the entire flying object. Computed tomography can determine the exact size and spatial position of a defect. These data can be used as a 3D model in simulations to check whether further defects or defect propagations might occur under loads and eventually lead to the destruction of the component.

Assessing the effects of defects with CT
Batteries and components for electrical vertical take-off and landing

Batteries and components for electrical vertical take-off and landing

The ability to create complex and weight-optimized components with AM and advances in electric propulsion led to innovative aircraft concepts such as eVTOLs. Batteries are a very efficient solution for these vehicles because their high-energy density allows for vertical take-off and landings and emission-free operation. Also, the advancing electrification of aircraft technology (avionics and aircraft electrical & electronic systems) put an increasing focus on quality assurance of electronic components. Yxlon supports manufacturers with smart technology solutions for the reliable inspection of batteries and electronic components.

New Space applications: From nanosatellites to micro launchers

Private companies are revolutionizing space travel, a market long dominated by governments and space agencies. New Space is no longer a niche: new business models are being developed, based on applications like internet service, earth observation, smart farming, or autonomous driving. Infrastructure in space is realized via single or swarm constellations of satellites, some of which are only the size of shoeboxes and are launched by micro launcher rockets. Comet Yxlon CT aircraft inspection systems contribute to material development in the New Space sector and help ensure component quality during production.

New Space applications From nanosatellites to micro launchers

NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

Inspection Systems

Our world class Imaging Division offers a range of innovative and cost effective equipment for industrial X-ray and CT for non-destructive parts inspection.

SUPPORT & TRAINING

Service & Maintenance

We have a team of equipment and process specialists capable of providing 24/7 rapid-response, ‘frontline’ support and training to compliment your own technical personnel.

Etek Aero, Prestwick Aerospace Centre

Featured Products

We offer a broad range of cutting-edge X-ray and CT products designed to support all your industrial inspection needs. Whether your component is measured in micrometers or meters, we have a system that fits.

Coment Yxlon FF85 Computed Tomography inspection system Aerospace

YXLON FF85 CT

With its dual-tube configuration, the high-energy, high-resolution FF85 CT achieves extremely precise inspection results for a wide variety of material types and part sizes.

Coment Yxlon FF35 Computed Tomography inspection system aerospace

YXLON FF35 CT

With its optional dual-tube set-up, the FF35 CT combines unprecedented CT data quality with the highest versatility when inspecting small and medium-sized parts.

Comet Yxlon UX20 x-ray and CT inspection system

Yxlon UX20

Designed to provide intuitive operation, the UX20 system makes it easy for users of all expertise levels to conduct highly efficient X-ray and CT inspections in record time.

With its optional dual-tube set-up, the FF35 CT combines unprecedented CT data quality with the highest versatility when inspecting small and medium-sized parts.

YXLON UX50

With its large inspection envelope, multiple field-of-view extensions, and a powerful 450 kV X-ray tube, the UX50 takes the inspection of complex, dense parts to the next level.

Coment Yxlon Cheetah EVO X-ray inspection system

Yxlon Cheetah EVO

The Cheetah EVO is designed to meet the demands of Industry 4.0, enabling efficient and reliable inspection in the SMT and semiconductor industry as well as in laboratories.

Why choose Etek Aero

With our team of experienced and factory trained service engineers, Etek Aero provide a world class service that focuses on quick response times and putting customers first.

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