Web based tool improves knowledge of aircraft
Thorough investigations of the structural integrity and the life-cycle of a commercial airframe are paramount to the safety of passengers. There are tools available to aid in this process yet currently those available for non destructive testing (NDT) are inappropriate, because they are too heavy or cumbersome. Technology can clear some of the obstacles in the way for inspectors whose daily activities require that they be able to move around freely. In order to do their job properly they need to be able to have contact with the environment, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or even dangerous and still have the information they need at their fingertips. The easier this is the less is the margin for human error. The INDET project worked on the development of the online maintenance assistance system. This created a standardised general architecture for running remote operations such as data and information transfer and communications and authentication tools. This architecture is used where on site measurements need to be combined with relevant information that is stored remotely. This is often the case when inspectors are making their evaluations and need to use their expertise as well as manage a complete work-flow in order to approve inspection procedures. In particular, two different and complementary modalities to perform smart assistance have been developed and tested. One is based on Web protocols; the other one uses the GSM network. The system supporting the smart assistance operation is based on the use of mobile instrumentation suitably connected to a distributed network of knowledge sources. As such, it integrates different communication channels among the users, Intranet/Internet/GSM network connected, in order to support the diagnosis. All these numerical tools are supported by a tablet PC to be used by a mobile NDT operator.
