Automatic Shearography Inspection System for Helicopter Rotor Blades

Dantec installed a fully automatic inspection system for helicopter rotor blades in the aerospace industry. The system is integrated into the manufacturing line and allows 100% inspection of each manufactured rotor blade.

Helicopter rotor blades are highly sophisticated products, composed of a variety of materials and composites. They are safety relevant components and, therefore, 100% quality control has to be assured. Each rotor blade is manufactured as a composite, with foam or honeycomb materials forming the core of the blade, covered with one or more layers of fibre reinforced plastics on the outside. For further reinforcement, carbon, kevlar or glass fibers are used. In highly stressed areas, such as the front edge of the blade, metallic layers provide additional reinforcement.