a specialist X-ray imaging company working in close partnership with Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é have won the Aerospace Technology Institute’s 2024 Innovation Award for ‘most exciting emerging technology.’
The award was for integrating Adaptix’s unique low-power 3D X-ray imaging capability developed for non-destructive testing and applying it to the aerospace industry. While Adaptix originally developed the technology for the health sector, it can also be used to inspect aeroplane composites with a high degree of accuracy.
Involved at the initial proposal stage, Cranfield’s role in the project had two main parts. The first aspect was about work building on the Adaptix visualisation capability, involving Angelos Plastropoulos, Lecturer in Automated Inspection and Analyses from the Integrated Vehicle Health Management Centre. The second - based in the Aerospace Integration Research Centre - was robotics, mounting the X-ray technology onto large robot arms so they can take multiple images of aeroplane composite parts, before those images are stitched together to form a 3D X-ray.
One of the important aspects of Adaptix’s X-ray technology for aerospace use is that it is low power, meaning that inspections can take place without having to close off whole sections of a hangar or manufacturing area. That means not only will the enhanced imaging help inspections of parts to be more efficient, the taking of the images won’t disrupt other workflow in adjacent areas.
Professor Phil Webb, Royal Academy of Engineering and Airbus Chair in Aero-Structure Design at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, said: “We’re delighted that our work with Adaptix has been recognised with this award. The project has been a shining example of what you can create through inter-industry collaboration, with a productive, open relationship between the two parties that has achieved something great.”
Professor Bryn C. Hughes, FReng, Chief Scientist, Adaptix NDT said: “Adaptix has shown that its technology can inspect similar aerospace parts to the level of fidelity that is of relevance to industry. Working closely in partnership with experts at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, facilitated through this ATI grant, has allowed us to explore the integration of the capability onto twin robotic systems. This is a hugely exciting development and has the potential for a real game change in in situ non-destructive testing.”
