Linear motion assembly withstands harsh elements

High humidity, high temperatures and potentially aggressive water splash are the conditions a special linear motion assembly has to withstand in a NDT system.

High humidity, high temperatures and potentially aggressive water splash are the conditions a special Hepco linear motion assembly has to withstand in a non-destructive testing system designed and manufactured by Garrandale Systems Limited.

As a result all components had to be either stainless steel or provided with a protective coating.

Commissioned by a leading NDT specialist, the system manipulates ultrasonic test probes across the entire internal surface of three booster rocket segments.

Its purpose is to test a variety of properties including the integrity and thickness of a special thermal layer.

"This is a safety critical application," confirms Operations Director, Tony Hart.

"But thanks to robust mechanical design and the efficiency of the in-house designed controller, the precise movement of the ultrasonic test probes is assured." Garrandale Systems Limited prides itself on its innovation in engineering design.

It produces process assembly machines, jigs, fixtures, test systems and equipment typically for rail, automotive, aerospace, white goods, yellow goods and food industries.

Several of its installed systems feature Hepco slides and the company was therefore a leading contender for the NDT project.

"We worked with Hepco from the very early concept stages and it was a natural choice when it came to incorporating these functions in to the final machine," Tony Hart continued.

The resultant NDT system incorporates powered rollers that support the rocket booster segment and rotate it during ultrasonic testing.

These rollers are fitted onto a rail-mounted, battery-driven bogie that 'docks' against a static, floor-mounted frame assembly housing the electrical control system.

This frame supports a 15m boom that forms the x-axis and along which a rack driven Hepco GV3 linear system is mounted.

In turn a pneumatic Hepco Powerslide carrying a manipulator is attached to a gear driven ring that provides rotary movement in 5deg increments.

This slewing capability allows the manipulator to check the radius corners on the inside of the rocket booster casing.

The second manipulator head is mounted on the end of the bogie and again features a Hepco HPS Powerslide mounted to a gear driven ring.

Its role is to check the outer dome of the booster.

"The movement required, the repeatability and precision of the system, working environment, cost and availability all had a bearing on our choice of supplier," Tony Hart concluded.

"The Hepco systems have certainly fulfilled our customer's needs.".

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