MIAMI – April 14, 2015 – A GE Aviation open innovation challenge designed to uncover new methods of conducting high-speed, automated inspections of turbine airfoils garnered 51 entries from 48 different participants in 18 countries. The winning entry was submitted by Capture 3D, of Costa Mesa, CA.
“The challenge was a fantastic way to broaden our exposure to potential new players and new technologies,” said Wayne Spence, Chief Manufacturing Engineer. “Only two of the organizations that participated were previously known to us, and it’s inspiring—and eye-opening—to see such a broad variety of submissions from around the globe.”
Capture 3D used its ATOS Triple Scan III non-contact blue light 3D Scanner, capable of measuring up to 8 million points per scan, to complete the challenge. “We were excited to have the opportunity to participate,” said Capture 3D Sales Engineer Marc Demarest. “Innovation advances a current state. By innovating and sharing that knowledge, we are pushing each other to continually thrive for progression, improvement, and optimization.
Participants entering the challenge had to demonstrate the ability to automatically inspect the blade portion of an off-the-shelf Victorinox paring knife in three minutes or less with accuracy of 10 microns and repeatability of 5 microns. The paring knife was selected as a low-cost proxy for turbine blades. In addition to accuracy and repeatability, participants also had to demonstrate their system would work in a manufacturing environment with dust, vibration and variability in lighting and temperature.
As winner of the challenge, Capture 3D receives a $15,000 cash prize, and is eligible for a $35,000 developmental grant to aid in collaborative development and refinement of their winning inspection technology.
GE sponsors open innovation challenges across its industrial businesses as part of its embrace of entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration and commitment to accelerating outcomes.
Read GE Aviation’s press release – Finding More than 50 New Ways to Approach Inspection
Capture 3D
www.capture3d.com
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense, Make Parts Fast, Medical
