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EUROCOPTER: Laser Metrology: Mobility means efficiency

EUROCOPTER: Laser Metrology: Mobility means efficiency
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EUROCOPTER: Laser Metrology: Mobility means efficiency - 1

METROLOGY aerotec · September 2010 37 Laser metrology using a laser tracker has a long tradition at Eurocopter, starting in 1999 with the deployment of a first system in the Tooling, Production & Service area, which is primarily responsible for forms, tools and large construction equipment for subassemblies. Laser-based measurement systems were relatively unknown at that time, and consequently they were initially only employed in the manufacturing area. But soon laser metrology's widespread potential became apparent. Eurocopter bought a second system only two years later. The systems were also increasingly put to use for inspection activities. Once again, the Tooling area was the starting point, which has three systems harnessing the most advanced measurement technology today. These systems are helping handle measuring jobs throughout the entire group, in a number of countries and on a number of aircraft, in both stationary and mobile use. The transition to gaugeless production at Eurocopter led to a considerable increase in the demand for measurement systems that could also handle three-dimensional measurement. The trend towards larger and larger aircraft has also resulted in an increase in the size and weight of the construction Laser metrology: Mobility means efficiency Eurocopter, manufacturer of the world's largest fleet of civil and military helicopters, relies stringently on the most advanced laser metrology in its plant in Donauwörth. A T3 laser tracker is the most recent purchase. This system accompanies the Tooling team on their assignments throughout Europe. German Summary Eurocopter, Hersteller der weltweit größten Flotte an Zivil- und Militärhubschraubern, setzt in seinem Werk in Donauwörth konsequent auf modernste Lasermesstechnik. Jüngste Neuanschaffung ist ein T3 Laser Tracker. Das System begleitet die Teams des Fertigungsmittelbaus auf ihren europaweiten Einsätzen. Der deutschsprachige Beitrag ist nachzulesen auf www.aerotec-online.com

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EUROCOPTER: Laser Metrology: Mobility means efficiency - 2

METROLOGY equipment at Eurocopter, adding to the complexity of the metrological jobs. And of course the size of the components themselves has also increased - the carbon bottom shell for the NH 90 helicopter measures 3 x 6 meters, and the equipment for manufacturing it is considerably larger. Today, Eurocopter relies on laser trackers to solve its metrological assignments, and not only thanks to their unsurpassed ability to take highly precise three dimensional measurements of larger pieces. The latest generation of trackers offers mobility, making them indispensable for portable use in the...

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EUROCOPTER: Laser Metrology: Mobility means efficiency - 3

METROLOGY sizes, with an order's value creation being spread across a number of countries. For example, body segments are produced in Spain, while other parts originate in England, France or Germany. The required manufacturing equipment comes from Donauwörth for the most part, and consequently the care of this equipment is also based there. Unforeseen problems present special challenges that call for especially swift response. This is why the ability to be able to dispense with shippers for the measurement systems in the new tracker generation is a great advantage. The cost savings are...

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