Robocot

Main issues to solve

While repairing a TCF panel, accurate wear measurement is the first essential step of the process. And most of the time, the main issue we are facing is that we observe that the parts are very damaged and consequently no longer meet the minimum thickness criteria required in the Engine Shop Manual. So, to deal with the repair of those panels (before Robocot), our teams were facing 2 main issues:

First, the complexity of the wear measurement of the panel due to the surfaces that are not uniform, and consequently make difficult the use of the traditional instruments (e.g. callipers)
And second, when our technicians where in doubt on the results they found during the measurement (and also in order to clear up any confusion on the scrap decision), they had to initiate the repair. And it was after achieving several steps of the repair process that they finally get the result of the measurement of the area, a result that became now indisputable regarding the scrap decision.

Our adaptive solution

To address this problem of repair efficiency, our teams came up with the idea of Robocot: an automatic measuring tool equipped with two telemetric lasers placed on an air-cooled carbon composite holder. Designed with a human-machine collaboration approach, this "cobot" moves easily along six axes. to avoid any risk of inaccuracy due to temperature variations in the workshop, the robot automatically recalibrates itself every hour. The parts inspection process begins with the use of Robocot which immediately spots the smallest defects on the entire surface being analyzed.

Benefits of the solution

“Thanks to this laser eye, we are immediately 100% sure that the part is repairable, which makes our Turn-Around-Times (TATs) much more reliable”

Erwan Guérin

Innovation & CreativeLab Manager at CRMA Aero repair

The final machine was fully designed, assembled and programmed in our MRO Lab, from a robot specially chosen to fit the requirements of the inspection process. In total, it took only two years between the "proof of concept" (POC) and the industrialization of this exclusive innovation. Robocot is now in service in our workshops. It proves its efficiency and allows us to deliver the best to our customers!

More information about the MRO Lab

Cobot: New-generation industrial robots

A Robot Ensuring the Reparability of GE90-115 & GP7200 engine’sTCF (Turbine Center Frame) panels