3D scanning inspection of the composite structures

Wide range of different visual measurement techniques, which are used nowadays, shows the need of the development of geometry description possibilities. New applications of advanced materials require measurement methods, which can be used in the areas of reverse engineering, FEA modelling validation, rapid prototyping and analysis of structure deformations. Light and laser-based techniques such as photogrammetry, laser triangulation, Moire and optical coherence tomography allow for analysing geometry of the specimens. Widely used optical methods take into account the global and local coordinate translation, sensitivity, resolution, and measurement uncertainty. They are used in the respect to research trends such as direct shape measurement from surfaces, system calibration and optimization methods. In this paper, composite specimens’ geometries with artificial delamination inside and structures without delamination are analysed. Rectangular, curved and cylindrical shapes are investigated by 3D scanning technique. The measured composite structures are manufactured with autoclave and vacuum bag methods. Results presented in this paper, shows geometries different between composites manufactured by using these methods. Inspection process was executed in two steps. First, virtual models of the composite specimens are used to determine main geometry dimensions. Second, their curvatures and GD&T are determined. Additional, the thickness change connected with delamination is revealed. Used method gives an opportunity of observing specimens curving radius and manufacturing defects. Presented results shows that use of additional aluminum plate in vacuum bag method allowed to get specimens with high level of flatness and parallelism in the case of rectangular structures and cylindricity in case of the curved shells. Presented methodology of the inspection is simply, give multidimensional results and its application are not limited to laboratory conditions.