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WheelScan 5

WheelScan 5

The WheelScan 5 is widely accepted throughout the world as a rapid and reliable means of maintaining the integrity of aircraft wheels. The WheelScan 5 is so simple to use, it won't tie operators down to lengthy inspections, leaving them free to get on with other work. Setup and operation is so easy that extensive training is not required and the operator doesn't need to be an eddy current testing expert. All you have to do is place the wheel, scan the correct barcode and start the test.

 

WheelScan 5 Virtual Demo

Features

Why Inspect Wheels

Aircraft wheels are subject to high level cyclic fatigue, particularly during landing. To ensure the safety of passengers and the aircraft it is important that the wheels are maintained to the highest standard.

Eddy Current wheel inspection is widely accepted throughout the world as a rapid and reliable means of maintaining the integrity of aircraft wheels.

Easy Setup

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Set-up is made easy by the storage of test parameters. When a new wheel is encountered a “teach and learn” system, in conjunction with the rotary control, allows the stop and start heights to be determined intuitively.

Tough

With an all steel welded frame the WheelScan 5 is tough yet compact. The 70 kg (154.3 lbs) wheel lift capacity is in excess of the stripped weight of all commonly used wheels. The welded steel frame means that there are never frame bolts to be tightened and checked, for minimum maintenance and maximum strength. Positioning the unit is made simple by virtue of its compact dimensions, as well as the option of locking castors for maximum convenience.

Easy to Use

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The roller table facilitates positioning of a wheel and easy incorporation into a conveyor system. For a new wheel, only three positions need to be taught to the system using the "teach and learn" function and then saved for future recall. The operator interface couples the precision and flexibility of a digital control system with a rotary control for parameter setting and push buttons for commonly used functions. For maximum simplicity an operator can simply scan a barcode off a chart and instantly the unit is set-up and ready to go.

Easy Maintenance

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Full diagnostics are available to the operator. The suite of operations include motion control and test from the HMI (shown above) to full PC evaluation from a remote location.

The modular design, all components with plugs and sockets, enables rapid fault identification.

Reliable

Uses standard motion control system components for longevity. The unit has a modular construction for easy replacement of components. The ballscrew driven actuators have a standard life rating in excess of 10,000 km of travel, equivalent to approximately10 million wheel inspection cycles!

Key Features & Benefits

  • Compact with rugged construction
  • "Teach and Learn" function for stored test setups
  • Phasec 3d eddy current engine provides enhanced inspection capabilities
  • Built-in rotary bolthole inspection and electrical conductivity measurement capability
  • Bar code reader for simplified data entry and test setup
  • Ethernet port for connecting to networks
  • Tests wheels halves flange up or flange down
  • Dualtest mode allows a complete wheel to be inspected

Accurate

With encoders on all axis, repeat positioning of scan parameters is guaranteed. The AutoTrak Plus, two-dimensional bi-directional contour following system, ensures that the probe travel path covers 100 % of the surface. The wheel may be tested flange up, flange down, fully assembled flange to flange and can handle complex profiles (e.g. racing car wheels).

Minimizing User Errors

The WheelScan 5 provides a variety of methods for entering and retrieving data. The aim of the unit is to allow the experienced operator total flexibility when setting up precision inspections. The ability to “walk” the equipment through the tests and take settings from the on-board encoders ensures that measurements are absolutely precise for each type of wheel. Once the data has been set up it can be stored digitally for easy recall in the future. The recall can even be automated so that the total test can be recalled with the single scan of a bar code, and input errors such as the operator ID and Job References can also be input by bar code. This removes the need for manual data re-keying, the most frequent cause of data error in comparable systems. Also, a key switch with user/supervisor mode enables the operator to be prohibited from making adjustments.

WhIRS - Wheel Inspection Reporting System

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The WheelScan 5 has different levels of reporting to allow you to fulfil all your inspection requirements. Real-time charts are built on the LCD, allowing an easy and convenient method of checking the test. An instant thermal strip chart can provide an in-unit report for each inspection, whilst the Offline Data Analysis that can be provided on a linked PC can print a full colour report complete with all inspection parameters. This can be printed from a laptop situated right next to the unit, or from a PC situated on another continent!

Versatile Inspection

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The requirements of Aircraft Wheel Inspection are constantly being improved and becoming more varied. Non-standard wheels and different styles of inspection are being investigated. WheelScan 5 is prepared for all these developments.

Very small wheels are a major problem for similar wheel inspection rigs because of the inability to clamp, and may require tailor made hardware. The SLIC can easily cope with this. New wheels may demand internal inspections. Again the unique SLIC Clamping system has allowed the development of an arm to facilitate this.

As the effect of heat damage on wheels becomes more clearly understood the provision of a conductivity measurement system with the unit allows evaluation of this. A dynamic bolthole scanner can also provide valuable information about any conditions that might exist in and around these potential stress raisers.

Safe Inspections

Any inspection must be safe for the operator and for the component being inspected. The WheelScan 5 uses the unique SLIC device (Secure Lift, Inertial Centring) to lift and centre the wheel. This ensures that the component cannot be ‘clamped-up’ eccentrically, a risk at high RPM.

The unit is also designed so that all control interfaces are located on the front of the unit, which removes the requirement to lean over the inspection area.

Furthermore, the equipment is not vulnerable to damage by wheels being positioned for inspection as all instrumentation is safely below roller height.

Applications

  • Inspects all current commercial and military aircraft wheels
  • Crack detection on wheel beadseat and tube well areas
  • Crack detection via rotary scanner for tiebolt holes
  • Electrical conductivity measurement for potential overheat damage

Specifications

Probe Absolute probe system. Probes are as standard 6 or 9.5 mm diameter with a choice of frequencies from 100 k, 200 k (standard), 500 k and 1.5 MHz. Other diameters and frequencies are available on request.
Component Size Scan Height: 415 mm (16.3 inches)
Diameter Range: 0-865 mm (35.5 inches)
Max Weight: 70 kg (154.3 lbs)
Lift Ram Stroke 250 mm (9.8 inches)
Electro-luminescent display 320*240 pixel), rotary control for parameter setting. Push buttons for commonly used functions. Emergency Stop.
Probe Motion Speed The probe X/Y motion will travel at up to 150 mms-1 (6''/second) for the motion to and from the wheel.
Wheel handling Roller table and 215 mm (8.5”) stroke lift ram with position encoder locates SLIC adaptor on hub.
SLIC

1. Standard SLIC Part No: 50A210 = 48 mm to 225 mm
2. Large SLIC Part No: 50A213 = 50 mm to 230 mm

Inspection Speeds Up to 120 RPM (Note: 120 RPM limited to A/C Wheels < 300 mm diameter.)
Scan Direction Bottom to top or top to bottom
AutoTrak Plus Ensures the probe maintains a constant pressure normal to the wheel surface whilst scanning parallel to the surface at the required helix.
Data Recording 57 mm wide thermal chart (optional) or paper less recording and review system.
Data Storage Data Storage to WS5 internal PC Hard Drive and transferable to other Hard Drives via USB Port.
Outputs USB Port and VGA
Maintenance The unit has a modular construction for easy exchange of parts. Major wear parts are sealed units for maximum longevity. XY mechanism has expected life in excess of 10,000 kilometres (Built in prompts for routine maintenance.)
Weight 250 kg (550 lbs) or heavier dependant on
accessories.
rame Welded steel tube
Dimensions 914 x 870 x 800 mm (36 x 34 x 31½ inches)
Power 90 to 264 VAC, 47 - 63 Hz, 350 watt

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Corrosion Erosion Brochure acrobat-reader acrobat-reader
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WheelScan 5 Brochure acrobat-reader acrobat-reader acrobat-reader acrobat-reader


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