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CEA-List and Safran team up on digital twin for robotic inspection

Digital twin of SPRING cell during simulation of robot trajectories © Axione, Safran and CEA

 

The SPRING cell at CEA-List was designed specifically for robotic non-destructive testing (NDT) using infrared thermography.

To meet Safran’s optimization needs, we created a digital twin of SPRING that leverages a patented algorithm that automatically calculates all control “poses” and robot trajectories from CAD (computer-aided design) data for the part to be controlled. An alternative to chemical-based testing methods (like penetrant and magnetic particle testing), active infrared thermography is a non-destructive digital method for inspecting surfaces that can be performed 100% robotically—another advantage. Safran currently programs its robotic inspection cells manually. All robot control “poses” are programmed by a roboticist on the actual equipment. Given the complexity of the parts inspected (skewed surfaces, etc.), programming is a long and tedious process.

Plus, the slightest programming error can significantly impact the process, and even cause physical damage to the part being inspected. For Safran, the challenge was to use a functional, physics-based digital twin to eliminate manual programming and make programming the inspection sequence faster and more reliable.

 


Left: Rendering of engine blade before inspection.
Right: Rendering of engine blade after inspection with ADRA. © Axione, Safran et CEA


 

The digital twin, named ADRA, offers a 3D representation of the cell, CEA-List’s real-time physics engine XDE Physics, a functional model incorporating robot controller emulators from ABB, a Siemens PLC emulator, and a Mastermind supervisor, a standard communication protocol developed by Safran. ADRA significantly reduces robot programming time, limits the actual robotic inspection cell’s downtime, and lowers the risk of damage to the part and camera.

Key figure

1 patent

CEA-Safran resulting from this project: Automation of robot programming tasks

The developments made for ADRA will provide crucial support to Safran Aircraft Engines inspection digitalization and automation rollout.

Rebecca Cabean

Vincent Goudier

Inspection digitalization coordinator — Safran Aircraft engine

Contributors to this article:

  • Adrien GIRARD, research engineer, at CEA-List
  • Vincent GOUDIER, inspection digitalization coordinator, Safran Aircraft Engine

 

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Software development environments

XDE Physics

XDE Physics simulates manipulation of and interactions between the components of a digital mockup.
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Technology platforms

Interactive multi-physics simulation platform (VIKI)

A 350 sq. m facility with advanced equipment and a specialized software environment for virtual and extended reality interactive simulation.
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