Dantec FlawExplorer Laser Shearography Sensor

Dantec FlawExplorer is a wide field-of-view laser shearography sensor for post-production quality control and in-field (in-service) component inspection. Depending on the application it is used with thermal or vacuum (partial) excitation and can be operated manually or fully automated on a robot. The latest phase-shifting technology delivers clear, reliable results with sub-micrometre displacement resolution.

What it does for your operation

• Unmatched area coverage: 8 laser diodes illuminate up to 2.9 × 2.1 m (3.2 MPx camera) or 3.4 × 2.8 m (5 MPx camera) in one shot. Large composite parts are inspected in minutes.
• One sensor, many applications: Thermal excitation for delaminations and ply wrinkling in laminates and overwraps; vacuum excitation for disbonds and kissing bonds in honeycombs and sandwiches, with the same sensor.
• Automation and repeatability: On a robot arm, linear traverse or XY gantry, a dedicated protocol and PLC interface control camera and heat triggering, filters and all parameters. Robot integration is available as a standard software module.
• Built for the field: Aluminium housing with a detachable guard ring withstands shocks, knocks and vibration.
• Simple installation: a single 5 kg unit with just two connections (power and camera data).

Technical specifications

• Camera: 3.2 MPx (standard) or 5 MPx (optional) CMOS; max. 37 / 24 Hz
• Field of view per shot: up to 2.9 × 2.1 m (3.2 MPx) / 3.4 × 2.8 m (5 MPx)
• Varifocal zoom lens
• 8 laser diodes (Class 3R)
• Automatic shearing, automatic projection calibration, phase-shifting piezos
• Weight: 5 kg (11 lbs); connections: power + camera data
• Excitation: thermal (heat lamps) or vacuum (manual vacuum hood)
• Software: Istra4D (live measurement, advanced post-processing, automation module)

Typical applications

• Ply wrinkling in composite overwrapped pressure vessels, CNG and hydrogen tanks
• Disbonds in aerospace aluminium and aramid honeycomb parts
• Automated inspection cells for helicopter rotor blades and wind turbine blades
• Production quality control of radomes, nacelles and control surfaces

See also FlawHunter for fast one-person checks in the field and FlawScout for labs and training. To choose the loading method, read about thermal and vacuum excitation systems. For a FlawExplorer demonstration or an automation project in Turkey, contact us.