Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for the inspection of holes in transparent materials, the apparatus including a processor, an illumination probe, and a detection probe. The illumination probe includes a laser light source and a reflective surface and is configured to be inserted into a first hole in the transparent material. The detection probe includes a second reflective surface and a photodetector and is configured to be inserted in a second hole in the transparent material. Laser light is directed onto the first reflective surface within the first hole and is reflected through a wall of the first hole, into the transparent material, and reflected by the second reflective surface to the photodetector. The photodetector transmits a measured light intensity value to the processor, which compares the light intensity value to a standard intensity value to determine whether or not a crazing condition exists in the second hole.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for the inspection of holes in transparent materials, the apparatus including a processor, an illumination probe, and a detection probe. The illumination probe includes a laser light source and a reflective surface and is configured to be inserted into a first hole in the transparent material. The detection probe includes a second reflective surface and a photodetector and is configured to be inserted in a second hole in the transparent material. Laser light is directed onto the first reflective surface within the first hole and is reflected through a wall of the first hole, into the transparent material, and reflected by the second reflective surface to the photodetector. The photodetector transmits a measured light intensity value to the processor, which compares the light intensity value to a standard intensity value to determine whether or not a crazing condition exists in the second hole.

Abstract: A method and system provide for reducing gaps between two mating parts. Either or both parts may be nondestructively inspected at a plurality of locations on a surface to gather a data set relating to the part thickness. The data set may be used to calculate a set of as-built thickness values for the part and a set of deviations from a design model. A mating area may be determined for mating surfaces of the parts. One or more layers of sacrificial material in the mating area may be prepared for any deviations greater than a design allowance. The system may include a ply cutting device and an additive manufacturing device coupled to a computer to receive the sacrificial material layer data and shim data and to cut the one or more layers of sacrificial material and to construct the shim. A shim may be constructed for any deviations equal to or greater than a minimum shim thickness. The one or more layers of sacrificial material may be applied to the part, cured, and machined to a desired thickness.

Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive inspection of a unitized composite structures is provided. The system includes an infrared thermographic camera and a carriage that can be mounted on, for example, adjacent frames of the unitized composite structure. The carriage can move along the length of the frames while the infrared thermographic camera collects and analyzes thermographic images of the frame, skin, and stiffeners. The carriage can be moved to other frames and the inspection continued until the entire unitized composite structure has be inspected.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided in order to evaluate corrosion loss and to establish maintenance actions based thereupon. In the context of a method, a structure is inspected to generate corrosion information and a corrosion model of the structure is generated based upon the corrosion information. The method also includes generating a combined corrosion model based upon the corrosion model and a baseline model of the structure including material types and thicknesses at respective locations on the structure. The method further includes establishing maintenance actions including modification of an inspection interval based upon the combined corrosion model. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system may be provided for determining a set of parameters for preparing a skin for assembly to a substructure. The skin may be nondestructively inspected to gather a data set relating to the skin thickness. Sets of as-built thickness values for the skin and of deviations from a nominal map of the skin thickness may be calculated. A mating area for the skin and substructure and a set of one or more locations for fastener holes in the mating area may be determined. A set of parameters for the one or more fastener holes and a set of one or more fastener lengths may be generated using the deviations. A tool may cut the one or more fastener holes using the set of parameters and the skin and substructure may be fastened using fasteners selected according to the generated set of one or more fastener lengths.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detection of a condition in a hole defined by a transparent material that is at least partially enclosed by one or more substantially opaque materials. The method may include positioning a light source in a first hole in the transparent material, directing light from the positioned light source through the transparent material and toward a second hole that is adjacent to the first hole. A prism may be positioned so that the light transmitted from the light source through the machined inner surface of the second hole is visible through a viewing face of the prism. By observing the transmitted light, a surface condition of the machined inner surface of the second hole may be determined.

Abstract: A method and system may be provided for determining a set of parameters for preparing a skin for assembly to a substructure. The skin may be nondestructively inspected to gather a data set relating to the skin thickness. Sets of as-built thickness values for the skin and of deviations from a nominal map of the skin thickness may be calculated. A mating area for the skin and substructure and a set of one or more locations for fastener holes in the mating area may be determined. A set of parameters for the one or more fastener holes and a set of one or more fastener lengths may be generated using the deviations. A tool may cut the one or more fastener holes using the set of parameters and the skin and substructure may be fastened using fasteners selected according to the generated set of one or more fastener lengths.

Abstract: A method and system provide for reducing gaps between two mating parts. Either or both parts may be nondestructively inspected at a plurality of locations on a surface to gather a data set relating to the part thickness. The data set may be used to calculate a set of as-built thickness values for the part and a set of deviations from a design model. A mating area may be determined for mating surfaces of the parts. One or more layers of sacrificial material in the mating area may be prepared for any deviations greater than a design allowance. The system may include a ply cutting device and an additive manufacturing device coupled to a computer to receive the sacrificial material layer data and shim data and to cut the one or more layers of sacrificial material and to construct the shim. A shim may be constructed for any deviations equal to or greater than a minimum shim thickness. The one or more layers of sacrificial material may be applied to the part, cured, and machined to a desired thickness.

Abstract: A system comprises a laser projector, an automated material placement head, and a laser inspection system. The laser projector is configured to project boundary projection line onto a part. The automated material placement head is configured to lay down a course of composite material. The laser inspection system is connected to the automated material placement head and configured to project a laser beam into a laser line parallel to the motion of the automated material placement head in laying the composite material.

Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive inspection of a unitized composite structures is provided. The system includes an infrared thermographic camera and a carriage that can be mounted on, for example, adjacent frames of the unitized composite structure. The carriage can move along the length of the frames while the infrared thermographic camera collects and analyzes thermographic images of the frame, skin, and stiffeners. The carriage can be moved to other frames and the inspection continued until the entire unitized composite structure has be inspected.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detection of a condition in a hole defined by a transparent material that is at least partially enclosed by one or more substantially opaque materials. The method may include positioning a light source in a first hole in the transparent material, directing light from the positioned light source through the transparent material and toward a second hole that is adjacent to the first hole. A prism may be positioned so that the light transmitted from the light source through the machined inner surface of the second hole is visible through a viewing face of the prism. By observing the transmitted light, a surface condition of the machined inner surface of the second hole may be determined.

Abstract: A method of thermographic inspection includes absorbing, at an applique applied to a test area of an article, light from a testing light source. The method further includes emitting, by the applique, thermal radiation directed to a capture device, the thermal radiation corresponding to at least a portion of the light absorbed by the applique.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided in order to evaluate corrosion loss and to establish maintenance actions based thereupon. In the context of a method, a structure is inspected to generate corrosion information and a corrosion model of the structure is generated based upon the corrosion information. The method also includes generating a combined corrosion model based upon the corrosion model and a baseline model of the structure including material types and thicknesses at respective locations on the structure. The method further includes establishing maintenance actions including modification of an inspection interval based upon the combined corrosion model. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for predicting and creating a shim for use in a joint where two parts, such as a skin and a substructure, are assembled together. Digital models for the skin and the substructure may be used as nominal maps of the outlines and profiles of the parts. The skin may be inspected, e.g., by nondestructive means, such as ultrasound, to determine as-built thickness profile for comparison to the skin's digital model of the thickness profile. Mating areas of the skin and substructure may be determined from their digital models of their outlines. Deviations in the mating areas of the as-built thickness of the skin from the digital model of the skin may be used to generate a digital model of a shim. The shim may be constructed from its digital model by additive manufacturing techniques that may involving machining or 3D printing.

Abstract: A system comprises a laser projector, an automated material placement head, and a laser inspection system. The laser projector is configured to project boundary projection line onto a part. The automated material placement head is configured to lay down a course of composite material. The laser inspection system is connected to the automated material placement head and configured to project a laser beam into a laser line parallel to the motion of the automated material placement head in laying the composite material.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for predicting and creating a shim for use in a joint where two parts, such as a skin and a substructure, are assembled together. Digital models for the skin and the substructure may be used as nominal maps of the outlines and profiles of the parts. The skin may be inspected, e.g., by nondestructive means, such as ultrasound, to determine as-built thickness profile for comparison to the skin's digital model of the thickness profile. Mating areas of the skin and substructure may be determined from their digital models of their outlines. Deviations in the mating areas of the as-built thickness of the skin from the digital model of the skin may be used to generate a digital model of a shim. The shim may be constructed from its digital model by additive manufacturing techniques that may involving machining or 3D printing.

Abstract: A method of thermographic inspection includes absorbing, at an applique applied to a test area of an article, light from a testing light source. The method further includes emitting, by the applique, thermal radiation directed to a capture device, the thermal radiation corresponding to at least a portion of the light absorbed by the applique.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable storage medium are provided to facilitate inspection of a composite part during manufacture. In the context of a system, a system for inspecting a composite part during manufacture is provided that includes an inspection system configured to detect an in-process anomaly with respect to a ply of the composite part during placement of the ply. The system also includes a computing system configured to determine part location coordinates of the in-process anomaly detected by the inspection system with respect to the ply of the composite part. The computing system is also configured to map the in-process anomaly to a digital part model based upon the part location coordinates. The system additionally includes a display, responsive to the computing system, configured to present a representation of the digital part model including an indication of the in-process anomaly relative thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking an inconsistency on a part. Information about the inconsistency on the part may be identified using data generated by a nondestructive evaluation system. A portion of a section of the part in which the inconsistency is located may be removed based on the information about the inconsistency. A profile for the section of the part may be identified. Rework image data may be generated using the profile in which the rework image data comprises a number of patch images. The number of patch images may be projected onto a rework material as a number of patch projections for use in forming a patch to be applied over the section of the part.