Structuring equipment dedicated to industrial competitiveness: the example of the Nantes CEA Tech

The challenge: "Design an innovating robot-controlled X-Ray tomography platform to inspect parts of large dimensions

Since its creation, CEA Tech has pursued a mission: become an accelerator of innovation serving industry. By setting up in the Pays de la Loire region, at the TechnoCampus Océan on the outskirts of Nantes, CEA Tech aims to propose a regional technology transfer platform serving the industrial competitiveness of the local ecosystem.

The state of the art equipment available to companies in the region includes a robot-controlled X-ray tomography non-destructive testing (NDT) platform: ELIXIR.

In addition to the GERIM platform based on the Saclay site at Gif-sur-Yvette (Paris area), the TechnoCampus Océan platform combines robotics and X-ray instruments and allows multi-resolution imaging adapted to the object studied: lower acquisition times, inspection of parts with high slenderness ratio, detection of faults in various types of industrial parts, etc.

Specific characteristic and major challenge of the project: the size! The purpose of the robot-controlled X-ray imaging NDT platform is to offer a capacity that is unique in France: testing and 3D characterisation of industrial parts of complex geometry up to 4.5 m long (compared with a few dozen centimetres for conventional equipment)!

Free-standing X-ray cabinets

The solution: A tailor-made response combining protection and ease of use

For this ambitious project, the CEA Tech and Lemer Pax teams started from scratch: no estimation had been made concerning the weight that the shielded non-destructive testing cabinets could reach! Right from the design phase, the teams had to plan far ahead and anticipate the specific requirements of companies in the region. The Lemer Pax teams therefore proposed a tailor-made solution combining safety and optimum radiological protection for users when operating the equipment. The platform is in fact equipped with a 225 kV microfocus X-ray tube which produces ionising radiation while preserving maximum comfort of use when conducting the tests. Lemer Pax was therefore assigned the design, construction and installation of a lead-lined, temperature and humidity-controlled bunker intended to isolate the robot-controlled platform including 2 collaborative 6-axis robots, the X-ray generator and its detector.

The platform is used to address a wide range of issues in various industrial sectors. Its size and robot-controlled equipment allow us to break out of "standard" situations and offer much larger inspection possibilities, making this equipment unique in France.

Fanny BUYENS

Manager of the Elixir robot-controlled X-ray imaging platform

Installation: A tailor-made response for innovating equipment

Thanks to the financial support of the Pays de la Loire region, CEA Tech Pays de la Loire has acquired an X-ray imaging NDT cabinet of large dimensions: 9 m x 6 m, 4 m high and weighing 70 tonnes, with a public area in the rest of its technological hall (no special zoning). Intended in particular for the sectors of aeronautics (composite assemblies, etc.) and marine renewable energies (marine wind turbine blades, etc.), other industrial sectors such as automotive, electronics, 3D additive manufacturing and agribusiness also benefited from its services. Due to its large dimensions, the cabinet also opens new perspectives in other fields: inspection of objects on conveyor, inspection automation, characterisation of new manufacturing methods.

Our aim was to build, in collaboration with a proactive and attentive team, a customized and non-destructive testing cabinet that fully meets our needs.

Samuel GALL

Operational & Facility Manager - CEA Tech

Surrounded by 25 mm of lead (walls, ceiling and base plate), the non-destructive testing cabinet guarantees also optimum radiation protection. Thanks to its leaded-glass window, the operators can view the inside of the entire platform to check in particular the robot-controlled movements. Lastly, the cabinet is also equipped with a bunker-type motorised sliding door, offering maximum handling and access comfort.

Know more about
Lemer Pax NDT cabinets

Customer case_Non-destructive cabin_CEA Tech_Lemer Pax

The results

Successful start-up of a new high-tech activity guaranteeing operator safety and comfort

Equipment unique in France
Optimisation of non-destructive testing (time, budget, data)
Widely diversified activities
Safety and radiation protection of personnel preserved
Comfort and ergonomics of personnel guaranteed

CONTÁCTENOS PARA UN ESTUDIO DE SU PROYECTO

Structuring equipment dedicated to industrial competitiveness: the example of the Nantes CEA Tech

The challenge: "Design an innovating robot-controlled X-Ray tomography platform to inspect parts of large dimensions

The solution: A tailor-made response combining protection and ease of use

Installation: A tailor-made response for innovating equipment

The results

CONTÁCTENOS PARA UN ESTUDIO DE SU PROYECTO

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