CCAT Gets $1.7 Million USAF Metrology Contract

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT; East Hartford, CT) has announced a $1.67 million contract with the U. S. Air Force. The contract, which is being awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, provides funds for applied research on non-contact metrology technologies used for quality inspection systems in aerospace manufacturing.

“We are excited about using our research and manufacturing expertise to explore how best to streamline non-contact inspection systems for the USAF,” said Elliot Ginsberg, the president and chief executive officer of CCAT.

According to Tom Maloney, the chief technology officer of CCAT, quality inspection is a critical step in delivering perfect parts on time and within budget. “Non-contact metrology is emerging as a leading technology for inspection of complex geometric parts such as those in aerospace manufacturing. Our goal is to develop a scientific approach to assess the accuracy and repeatability of non-contact inspection systems to advance the technology,” said Maloney.

CCAT has assembled a team of metrology experts and manufacturing companies to demonstrate and validate the scanning processes for parts used in aerospace manufacturing. The team includes Connecticut organizations Bolton Works, Digital Manufacturing Services, Pratt & Whitney, and the University of Hartford as well as 3D Systems, Alcoa Howmet Research Center, GE Global Research, PCC Airfoils, PCC Structurals, and Rolls Royce.

Over an 18-month period, CCAT and its partners will devise a custom test artifact with features representative of complex aerospace parts. Project partners will each conduct part measurements using their individual metrology systems, including white light and blue light scanners.

www.ccat.us