SR Technics, a leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider with major presence in the UAE, is partnering with New Zealand-based Invert Robotics to implement an innovative robotics solution to enhance its aircraft maintenance inspections.

Invert Robotics designs and develops robotic non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies used for the inspection of non-ferromagnetic surfaces in the food and beverage, dairy, aviation, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas industries.

Developed by Invert Robotics, the robot employs a patented mechanism that explores the airframe surface to assess the required maintenance needs, said a statement from the company, which has Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala as a minority shareholder.

Equipped with a high-resolution inspection camera, the robot records and transmits video images to a ground-based screen, which are then analysed by SR Technics engineers, it said.

The use of this new solution enables efficient visual inspections both on the tarmac as well as in the hangar. In addition, the inspection images can be used for more detailed repair assessments and as a record of the current state of the aircraft for future comparisons, it added.

The automated inspections can help reduce the inspection time from hours to minutes. Furthermore, the robot's capabilities can be enhanced by adding functions such as ultra-sound and thermographic testing that allow robots to perform many labour-intensive and tedious maintenance inspection processes more efficiently.

Freeing up skilled aircraft engineers to manage more complex tasks helps speeding the process, and reducing cost of the overall maintenance process.

Jakob Straub, head of aircraft services and line maintenance, SR Technics, said: “We are constantly seeking new and innovative solutions to make our maintenance process even more efficient.”

“Whilst helping us to improve the safety environment for our employees by providing alternatives to the work at height, this new technology enables us to demonstrate advancement in speed and quality which will benefit our customers with greater accuracy and a more complete inspection result,” he said.

Neil Fletcher, managing director, Invert Robotics, said: “Having developed the world’s first inspection robot of its kind, Invert Robotics has evolved to deliver tools and technologies to difficult-to-access areas, quickly and safely.”

“The opportunity to evolve from inside concave surfaces to outside convex surfaces brought the aviation industry into clear focus as a significant market for our company,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service