The application of line scan thermography using multiple collaborative robots

Abstract

This paper will present details of a dual collaborative robotic implementation of line scan thermography for the inspection of a complex geometry, composite aircraft fuselage. Line scan thermography is an inspection technique that has proven to be a successful means of rapidly scanning large areas of aircraft fuselage. The technique involves the movement of a line heat source across the outer surface of a large structure followed by an infrared imager at a fixed distance behind the heater. Images of defects in the structure under inspection are reconstructed from measurements of the induced surface temperature variations. An overview of the line scan thermography technique along with the robotic implementation, details and inspection results will be presented.