Page 22 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 Online Magazine

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Robot Run

Automated aircraft inspection systems have the potential to make aircraft maintenance
safer and more reliable
By Jay Menon

roBots HAve Proven to Be roBUst acquisition will expand our component repair repair it is expensive and time-consuming,
and accurate enough to achieve the development capabilities and increase the manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce prefer
demanding tolerances required by the efficiency of the On Wing Support team to conduct ‘on-wing’ inspection and repairs
aerospace industry. The flexibility of robots as they perform inspections and repairs where possible. According to Rolls-Royce,
makes it much easier to perform complicated on our customers’ engines.” Robots have the robotics innovations both parties are
maintenance procedures. Demand for robots been helping engine specialists not only in developing, with the Trent XWB engine
is rapidly increasing in aerospace industry for inspecting and finding ways to reach confined earmarked as the demonstrator, are intended
repairs and maintenance, and 3D printing to parts of an engine but also to reduce the need to give experts at its Derby base the ability to
quickly replace worn non-critical parts since for touch-labor. carry out engineering tasks on engines at any
original equipment manufacturers (OMEs) “With a reach of more than 3 meters and location in the world by remote control.
and major MROs are constantly doing a cumulative bend of more than 180 degrees, Recently, Singapore’s Agency for
everything they can to make products last as OC Robotics’ flexible snake-arm robots Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR),
long as possible in service while being more are ideal for working in tight spots and can Rolls-Royce, and Singapore Aero Engine
reliable. conduct various tasks, including inspections, Services Private Limited (SAESL),decided
The recent acquisition of UK-based fastening and cleaning when integrated with to invest up to S$60 million to establish
OC Robotics, a manufacturer of snake- tooling,” says OC Robotics Technical Director a Joint Lab for the development of Smart
arm robots, by GE Aviation is an indication Andy Graham. Manufacturing technologies. A*STAR is
how aerospace OEMs are looking to grow Another engine maker Rolls-Royce is Singapore’s lead public sector agency
its robotics capabilities. “OC Robotics will working with researchers from Nottingham that spearheads economic-oriented
play an important role in how we service University to develop robots that can research to advance scientific discovery
our customers’ engines,” says Jean Lydon- perform remote repairs on airplane engines, and develop innovative technology. The lab
Rodgers, vice president and general manager without removing them from the wing. will develop next-generation aerospace
of GE Aviation’s Services organisation. “This As removing an engine from a plane to manufacturing, as well as MRO capabilities
22 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA