Adaptix launches Auto3DX NDE4.0
project to automate failure
detection in composites.

OXFORD, U.K., Wednesday 16^th August 2023– 3D imaging technology company Adaptix Limited (Adaptix) has launched the Auto3DX NDE 4.0 project in conjunction with Dowty, a GE Aerospace company.

This 18-month project, which received a NATEP grant, will focus on Adaptix’s development in dry-fibre inspection technology, creating potential methodologies for automated defect detection using Artificial Intelligence and/or computer vision. Product and component use-cases from Dowty, along with current inspection techniques, will be utilized to verify the defect identification developed within the project in both dry fibre and cured composite materials.

This will be carried out by the non-healthcare division, AdaptixNDE and will also be supported by leading UK aerospace composite manufacturing primes, Spirit AeroSystems and GKN Aerospace.

Andy Barnes, AdaptixNDE Commercial Director stated: “We’re translating a highly innovative hardware solution from healthcare into aerospace, allowing us to inspect in dry-preform, where other methods simply can’t.  This means an earlier first point-of-inspection during manufacture to reduce cost, time, material waste and machinery usage on unfit parts.  This NATEP project will help automate the inspection for composite failure detection earlier in manufacture and through-life with significant economic and environmental impacts.  It’s exciting to evolve Adaptix’ inspection capability and make moves towards the future by pioneering the route to NDE 4.0 and through-life Digital Twin inspection.  NATEP was designed specifically to help companies develop and exploit their technology offering using a mix of part funding and technology mentoring and is a perfect fit for Adaptix Auto3DXNDE for this, our second project with the programme.”

About Adaptix and AdaptixNDE

Adaptix Limited is transforming radiology through the development of innovative fast-acquisition, low-flux, deployable Digital Tomosynthesis 3D X-ray with applications across a multitude of global markets.

AdaptixNDE  are taking this technology into Aerospace composites where non-destructive evaluation (NDE) is dominated by ultrasonics for speed, cost and portability benefits.  This is because the aspirational Computed Tomography 3D X-ray is too prohibitive because of high-cost (and running/maintenance cost), -weight, -power, and slow-speed.  AdaptixNDE are offering 3D internal visualisation at the point of diagnostics earlier in manufacture and through-life with a consistent digital output facilitating Digital Twins and NDE4.0. https://adaptixnde.com/

About Dowty

Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, is a world-leader in electronically controlled, all-composite propeller systems. Its products are used in a range of civil and military applications, including commercial airliners and military airlifters to multi-role seaplanes and marine hovercraft. Dowty’s history of firsts-to-market includes the all-composite propeller blade and full-authority digital propeller control.  To date, more than 25,000 advanced composite blades have been delivered by Dowty, with the lead blade logging over 50,000 hours of flight time.  https://dowty.com/