Barfield Integrates 3-D Inspections for Composites

The advent of the Boeing 787 and its structures made of composites is prompting airlines and MRO service providers to adapt their processes and maintenance tooling. Barfield, an MRO provider and a manufacturer of Ground Support Test Equipment (GSTE) solutions, has now integrated the latest technology suited to these new maintenance requirements into its portfolio of services.

When it comes to inspection, the advances achieved with the development of composite aerostructures, and in particular those made of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), are creating new requirements. One of these is the use of ultrasound camera displays as an optimized aid to carrying out non-destructive testing (NDT).
Recently, Boeing approved the commercialization and use of two dedicated NDT systems for the Dreamliner's carbon fiber fuselage assemblies.

Barfield a supplier of cutting-edge solutions 
As the world leader in the marketplace for GSTE solutions, Barfield has taken up a position on the distribution of these two systems and is already able to offer these to its customers, from airlines and MRO market players, to OEMs and inspection operators. The first of these two solutions, approved by Boeing and marketed by Barfield is a user-friendly ultrasound camera, called the DolphiCam CF08. The system can create crystal-clear 2D/3D images of areas where there are concerns about defects, providing valuable support for defining the optimum repair strategy. The 3D images can be zoomed, enlarged or turned to facilitate their analysis and the system is so intuitive that it can even be used by non-experts. The DolphiCam is currently undergoing testing at Airbus with a view to its certification for the Airbus A350 XWB.

The second system offered by Barfield, the Acoustocam i600, also comprises an ultrasound camera, but in this case, its images can be reproduced using Digital Acoustic Video (DAV) technology. This instantly detects defective bonding, cracks, delaminations and other sub-superficial damage. Inspections can be performed remotely using wireless technology and the system can be used on forty different types of materials, on CFRPs, and on aluminum and titanium structures in particular.

Using this latest generation tooling, operators of the 787 and other aircraft made partly from composite materials will find them simple and reliable resources aimed at optimizing their inspection operations and proactively detect any defects. This can already be found at Barfield! 

Find out more and visit us at the AFI KLM E&M booth position 3418 at the MRO Americas in Miami Beach from April 14-16 2015.