Self-optimised Robotic simulation and off-line programming tool for non-destructive testing of advanced composite structure

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Key limiting factors to the wider uptake of composites in the aerospace, renewable energyespecially wind, automotive and other industries are the difficulties linked to qualityinspection which result in Non Destructive Testing (NDT) being an important bottleneck inthe manufacturing of composites structures. These difficulties are due to increasingly complexgeometries, an increasing array of composite materials and dimension of parts. NDT operatorsare skilled in testing technology and interpreting ultra-sonic signal but generally do not havemuch experience in programming robots, hence the need for a simulation tool to automaticallygenerate the optimum robot motion path. The objective of Applied Computing andEngineering (ACEL) is to develop innovative robotic simulation software for non-destructivetesting (NDT) of advanced composite structures, which will automatically generate anoptimum robot motion path with minimum user input. The new collision detection algorithmwill be developed to operate on 64 bit MS/Windows architecture and multiple CPU cores, thiswill be crucial to address the speed and memory size requirements for the high resolutiongraphics simulation. The global NDT equipment market is expected to grow steadily. It wasvalued at $1.1 billion in 2008 (Frost and Sullivan) with a positive growth rate of 2.4 percent.The global demand on carbon fibre composites was estimated at roughly $10.8 billion in 2009and is expected to reach $18.6 billion in 2015 with an annual growth rate of 7% (AcmiteMarket Intelligence). The key objective of this Proof of Market project is to assess thecommercial viability of ACEL’s innovative software, to establish a full validation of the UKand EU market and gaining a thorough understanding of the real needs and requirements ofkey stakeholders, potential partners and clients. The early mapping of the marketopportunities will significantly accelerate the development and realisation of the project.