PROJECT AWARD

​DES was just awarded a project from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (NCMS CTMA) to design, develop, prototype and test a specialized inspection tool. This tool will measure and test rod end deflection to inform aircraft maintenance team on the displacement of the swashplate/pitch assembly rod ends. DES will investigate high precision methods and inspection techniques including x-ray, photogrammetry, laser measuring, resistive insulation measuring, and vibration loading. The tool is intended to remove subjectivity of an inspection step, allowing for go/no-go criteria to be used for disposition.