In-line quality assurance for ENDT of multi material adherend surfaces

Abstract

To reduce CO2-emissions lightweight structures needs to be implemented in all transport applications. At the same time, low-weight and high performance materials must provide safety and reliability, at economical prices. Extended Non-Destructive Testing (ENDT) contributes to safeguarding the performance of adhesively joined load-critical structures, permitting to steadily monitor adherent surfaces prior to bonding and to detect adhesion properties of bonded components.In the present work, approaches exceeding the state-of-the-art of innovative ENDT techniques like robot-based Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) are presented. Furthermore, automated, AI-based image processing and evaluation methods for surface quality inspection are shown, aiming at overcoming today's limitations concerning handling, evaluation speed and reliability of results. First results of automated in-line surface quality assurance approaches for assessing multi material adherent surfaces are highlighted.