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Measurement for
defence industries
Introduction
MSL Defence
The military and defence sectors are going through an unprecedented change due to the adoption of 3D scanning and additive manufacturing technologies for a wide range of applications, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes, damage assessments, and reverse engineering of parts, to name a few.
This transformation is helping to drastically reduce reliance on bogged-down supply chains and a tight labour market, whilst maximising efficiency and reducing costs.
MSL work closely with Creaform and have been their UK distributor for over 25 years, all Creaform scanners and software are produced in Canada and together we are an innovative and trusted partner to the Defence Sector.
- CAGE Code: 7EXZ5
- CUI Certified
- NIST SP 800-171 Compliant
- DDTC Registered
- C-TPAT Certified
- ISO 17025:2017 Lab
- ISO 9001:2015
We have worked with many organisations within the Defence sector including Leonardo, Rolls Royce, Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Babcock International, The Royal Air Force, GCHQ, DTSL and QinetiQ and we are experienced with the challenges that the industry presents.
Introduction
MSL Defence
The military and defence sectors are going through an unprecedented change due to the adoption of 3D scanning and additive manufacturing technologies for a wide range of applications, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes, damage assessments, and reverse engineering of parts, to name a few.
- CAGE Code: 7EXZ5
- CUI Certified
- NIST SP 800-171 Compliant
- DDTC Registered
- C-TPAT Certified
- ISO 17025:2017 Lab
- ISO 9001:2015
This transformation is helping to drastically reduce reliance on bogged-down supply chains and a tight labour market, whilst maximising efficiency and reducing costs.
MSL work closely with Creaform and have been their UK distributor for over 25 years, all Creaform scanners and software are produced in Canada and together we are an innovative and trusted partner to the Defence Sector.
We have worked with many organisations within the Defence sector including Leonardo, Rolls Royce, Ministry of Defence, BAE systems, Babcock International, The Royal Air Force, GCHQ, DTSL and QinetiQ and we are experienced with the challenges that the industry presents.
Key challenges
Business Challenges
- High efficiency and profitability requirements in small volume manufacturing
- Stronger global competition
- High expertise in single fields
- Networked integration of individual components into a coherent concept
- Strong safety requirements
- Huge interest in custom solutions
Challenges with traditional metrology devices
Stationary and inflexible measurement systems promote rigid and slow processes.
- Inspection with a measuring machine is time consuming and not optimal for free-form surfaces.
- Measuring arms suffer from a lack of range/leapfrogging and therefore are often too difficult to manage and slow overall.
- Stationary white light scanners often require chalk spray matting of parts and fail to reach angled areas as well are limited to measurement fields.
- Some operators don’t have a strong metrology experience, but still have a huge need for accurate data.
Challenges with optical measurement
Parts/scan objects
- Vary in size, partly with many details and large parts.
- With different materials (plastic, metal, etc.)
- With a highly reflective surface (shiny black, chrome, mirror finish)
Impeded accessibility of parts
Requirements to scan the vehicle interior/exterior in sunlight or to scan objects in the product environment itself.
Advantages of Portable 3D scanning
- Immune to vibrations, temperature fluctuations, difficult lighting conditions
- Flexible scanning volume
- Certified fast scanning, even on shiny surfaces
- Digitalisation in the production area is easily possible from any location.
- Extremely user friendly
Case studies & Use cases
Creaform solutions can enhance the quality of production of parts and final vehicles and improve the MRO (Maintenance | Repair | Overhaul) process, whilst also speeding up product development.
Enhanced production
How to enhance the quality of production of parts and final vehicles
- GoSCAN
- HandySCAN
- MetraSCAN
- HandyProbe
- Maxshot
- C-Track system and VX-track software
- Automated solutions and VXscan-R
Enhanced production
Quality Control in the production
environment at Bell Helicopter
Bell is renowned for being the first engineering company to have certified a commercial helicopter. These pioneers did not stop there. They were also the first to break the sound barrier, as well as being aboard NASA’s first lunar mission. Even after 35,000 delivered aircraft, creating the next generation of vertical lift products means thinking above and beyond flight. Innovation is key to revolutionising the vertical flight industry.
To do so, high-quality products and components are critical. Therefore, they need to continually challenge their methods and improve their inspection processes. Creaform’s scanning solutions, open new possibilities, helping them obtain faster results and become more efficient in a multitude of applications.
- Added-value portable 3D scanning.
- Enables quality control with the focus on continuous improvement.
- Swift quality control directly in production
- Speed up the process
- Gain in efficiency
Enhanced production
Quality control of 3D printed parts at Lockheed Martin
Added-value portable 3D scanning, for fast and reliable inspection of a 3D printed F35 cockpit part
Enhanced production
Automated quality control of a landing gear at Safran Aerospace
From design to delivery to their customers’ final assembly lines, watch how Safran Landing Systems manufactures landing gears.
- Integration of the Metra-R system with an ABB robot
- Robot guided inspection
- No problems with shiny surfaces
Improve MRO
Value added portable 3D scanning for structure damage analysis at The US Airforce
Vaue added portable 3D scanning for structure damage analysis at The US Airforce. Using the HandySCAN together with VXintegrity SmartDENT software
“We had a C-5 in our hangar last week and we were able to inspect the four primary structural panels in 30 minutes.”
Master Sgt. Christopher Smithling60th Maintenance Squadron assistant section chief for aircraft structural maintenance
Improve MRO
Creaform VXintegrity the smartest solution for surface damage assessment
Compared to conventional methods the VXintegrity ensures the same results time after time regardless of the user. The results do not come down to human judgement if the area of damage is in/out of tolerance and ensures that data is traceable to national standards.
Improve MRO
3D printing of aircraft parts at The US Airforce
Joshua Orr, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, uses a Creaform HandyScan 700 to capture digital information to render a three-dimensional image of an aircraft part into specialised computer software at Travis Air Force Base, California. The scanner will be utilised in conjunction with two additive manufacturing units, one polymer and one metal, to print aircraft parts on site.
Faster results
Fast scan of the submarine with the Metrascan Black Elite to optimise the surface
Faster results
How to speed up production development
Speed up product development with portable Creaform Scanners and VXmodel Software for a faster and more efficient design process
Faster results
Reverse Engineering at the US airforce
- The 366th Maintenance Squadron (MXS) at Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) scan large aircraft structures
- 3D scanners provide the data required to perform full-scale engineering, manufacturing and development of parts and structures. 3D scanning for reverse engineering removes the user error factor and provides unmatched traceability for documentation purposes
- Parts can be re-built via reverse engineering and functionality optimised
Working with leading defence companies
Benefits of using 3d scanning in the defence sector
The use of 3d scanning technology in the UK defence sector offers several key benefits, enhancing various aspects of military operations and defence production.
Precision and Accuracy
3D scanning provides highly accurate and detailed digital representations of objects, equipment, and terrains. This precision is crucial in designing, manufacturing, and maintaining complex military hardware.
Rapid Prototyping
3D scanning facilitates rapid prototyping by creating detailed digital models that can be directly used in additive manufacturing processes. This accelerates the design and testing phase, leading to quicker deployment of new equipment.
Customisation
Military equipment often needs to be customised for individual soldiers or specific missions. 3D scanning enables the creation of personalised gear, ensuring better fit and comfort for soldiers, which is vital for their performance and safety.
Maintenance and Repairs
3D scanning helps in creating digital libraries of military equipment parts. When a component needs replacement, these digital files can be used to quickly manufacture the required part, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.
Forensic Analysis
In military operations, especially in conflict zones, detailed forensic analysis is essential. 3D scanning aids in the accurate documentation of crime scenes, allowing investigators to analyse incidents thoroughly and make informed decisions.
Training and Simulation
3D scanning technology assists in creating realistic virtual environments for training simulations. Military personnel can train in lifelike scenarios, improving their skills and preparedness for real-world situations.
Resource Conservation
By creating digital replicas of equipment and parts, 3D scanning reduces the need for physical storage space. It also helps in inventory management, ensuring that spare parts are readily available when needed, minimising wastage, and saving costs.
Reverse Engineering
3D scanning can be used to reverse engineer captured enemy equipment, providing valuable insights into adversaries’ technology and tactics, aiding in counterstrategies and defensive measures.
Safety
Using 3D scanning to create virtual simulations can enhance safety training for military personnel, helping them prepare for dangerous situations without actual risk, thereby reducing accidents and injuries during training exercises.
Improved Decision-Making
Accurate 3D models generated through scanning provide military decision-makers with valuable visual data. This enhances their understanding of various situations, enabling more informed and effective strategic decisions.
Historical Preservation
For historical sites and artifacts related to defence, 3D scanning can be employed to create accurate digital records, ensuring their preservation for future generations and research purposes.
Collaboration and Communication
Military personnel, engineers, and researchers. Digital models can be easily shared and manipulated, fostering efficient communication and collaboration in defence projects.
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