Objective
AEROSERTEC develops and manufactures visual systems to identify and measure surface imperfections and damage in aerospace and defence structures. For this purpose, AEROSERTEC accumulated over the years great expertise on the use of different technologies, especially in mechanical testing and assembly applications for aerospace (though they are used in fields as diverse as medical imaging and industrial quality controls) due to its relative ease of implementation and use. Within this context, the main objective of the OUTCOME project is to develop a measurement methodology, based on the Plenoptic technology, to detect mechanical damage before, during and after flight-tests of aircraft components. From the theoretical point of view, the challenge is to derive a mathematical model suitable to re-create from the captive image a complete high precision and measurable 3D scene. From the experimental point of view, the challenge is to validate and make operational this measurement methodology. For that goal, flight-tests on aircraft-wing structures will be performed. These are experiments to establish how aircraft-wing structures behave with normal and exceptional loads. The results shall provide precise information about the loading conditions and the level of strains that lead to surface damage in aerospace structural elements.
As this project has received funding from the “Horizon 2020” EU Research and Innovation programme, the research work will be contacted by an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) in close collaboration with the University Carlos III of Madrid. The ESR will receive high quality training in cutting edge research and carry out a Doctorate Thesis.
ESR Profile
Name: Stylianos Tsopanidis
Nationality: Greek
Studies: Msc in Physics, Lund University Sweden
First Impressions
“When I first joined the group of Aerosertec as a researcher, few months ago, I was very impressed by the motivation of the people in this company for creating high quality results and exploring innovating solutions. Coming from an academic environment, after completing my master studies, I was introduced to a new way of working, which is in many ways more efficient, with more clear objectives and well-defined methodology. I consider the training that I receive in this project a unique opportunity and a valuable experience for my future professional career. This is one of the great advantages that the Marie Skłodowska-Curie research programmes offer to the researchers. The combination of an academic training, since we are in very close collaboration with University Carlos III of Madrid, with working experience in a cutting edge company offers the ideal conditions for this research project to flourish and produce new knowledge and technology.
Alongside, with the training experience I had the opportunity to meet very friendly and welcoming people that are always willing to help and find solutions to any problem encountered. This friendly working environment is very important for me and I feel very motivated to contribute to all the nice work that is being carried out in this company.
I am very optimist about this project and the more I work on it and acquire a better understanding of the different parts, the more intrigued I become.”
Project Diary
9/2016 –2/2017: The first period of the research work is devoted to the state-of-the-art and literature review. A deeper understanding of different visual metrology methods and a focus on the recent advances of the plenoptic technology was the main objective of this period.
In parallel, different visual metrology systems existing in the market has been tested in order to acquire a hands-on experience of their functionality, their capabilities and their limitations. The tests have been performed on samples of aerospace components, made of metallic and carbon composite material, and useful conclusions of how these systems perform has been drawn.
2/2017-5/2017: Development of an algorithm that based on the configuration of the different elements of the plenoptic camera simulates the ray propagation from a scene in the outside world of the camera, through the camera elements to the photo-sensor of the camera, where the final image is produced. This simulation allowed us to acquire a better understanding of the functionality of the camera and estimate how different parameters of the camera elements (focal length and aperture size of the main lens or the microlenses, distance between the lens and the microlens array etc.) influence the field of view and the depth of field of the camera as well as the resolution of the image.
In addition, we have worked on the preparation of a laboratory room in our facilities that will offer ideal conditions for performing test measurements of the optical metrology system that we develop. This laboratory “dark room” is painted black, in order to eliminate the reflection from the walls, and it is equipped with a LCD monitor, two industrial cameras, two recently purchased plenoptic cameras and some auxiliary components.
6/2017: An 22th - 23th June 2017, the first training activity of OUTCOME is approaching. Hosted by Aerosertec Group and UC3Madrid in Getafe, Madrid. Participants are going to share specific skills about extreme structural mechanics in aerospace application. Here the program. Enjoy!
6/2017: The two days Workshop at AeroSerTec installations were considered as a successful experience for all participants interviewed. Everyone expressed the goal of connecting visits to local institutions on research issue that are related to the area. Here you can find some photographs.
2/2018: The two days Workshop at Technion facilities were considered as a successful experience for all participants. Everyone expressed the goal of connecting visits to local institutions in Israel on research issue that are related to the area. Here you can find some photographs.
2/2018: Workshop coincide with mid-term meeting evaluated by european project officer. Here you can find some photographs and Stylianos' updates in the project (attached document).
