"Pitting" is a surface defect found on airplane’s jet engine components of complex shapes and different sizes. It is currently detected by naked-eye inspection, which apart from taking up significant man-hours, lacks accuracy and reliability.
This newly-developed automated system by Aviation Services Research Centre (ASRC) employs robotics with artificial intelligence and deep learning, together with image processing, 3D scanning, optical metrology, and non-destructive testing technologies to obtain information such as pitting position, depth and diameter.
It can also be used together with the automated surface defect removal system developed by ASRC to repair surface defects on jet engines. Such automation of jet engine maintenance procedures can be significantly shortened from 4 hours to 1.5 hours, enhancing the quality, reliability and accuracy of aircraft maintenance and reducing the airplane turnover time.
