Deployment project enables EADS-CASA to improve the structural dynamics analysis and compress testing cycle time for the Airbus A330 MRTT
Leuven, Belgium – LMS, the engineering innovation company, announced today that EADS-CASA has implemented LMS Test.Lab to accelerate its processes for ground vibration testing. This aircraft testing process includes a series of tests to detect the aircraft resonances as a verification of the aircraft safety and reliability before the first actual test flights. The LMS Test Lab Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) solution includes integrated testing and analysis software and is based on interconnected LMS SCADAS III data acquisition front-ends adding up to over 700 channels. This represents one of the largest channel count systems for aerospace dynamic testing. EADS-CASA co-operated with LMS Engineering Services and Alava Ingenieros, LMS’ representative in Spain, to gain an in-depth understanding of best practices in ground vibration testing and to accelerate the deployment of the LMS Test.Lab solution.
Based in Madrid, Spain, EADS- CASA Military Transport Aircraft Division (EADS- CASA MTAD) is a division of EADS, the European Aeronautical Defense and Space Organization that develops and manufactures aircraft and space systems. EADS-CASA deployed the LMS GVT systems to support the development of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the civilian A330 aircraft. The role of the system is especially important in identifying structural resonances and validating flutter models on the A330 MRTT. To support this, the LMS Test.Lab solution delivers a tight integration of all the ground vibration methods, including mode appropriation, stepped sine, swept sine and random testing.
The extensive channel count of the LMS GVT system enables EADS-CASA to make all measurements for a complete aircraft configuration in a single test instead of the multiple series of tests required previously. This saves considerable time and reduces the risk of set-up mistakes and data management errors. In addition, on-line monitoring enables engineers to view results in real time as tests are being run. EADS-CASA engineers can check the validity of measurements and correlate test data with simulation results on the spot instead of waiting hours or days for lengthy post-processing. In this way, engineers can immediately identify the root cause of problems and better determine corrective actions.
Animation tools such as deflection shapes show how parts bend and twist at various frequencies, and the LMS PolyMAX tool analyzes modal test data to identify resonances. PolyMAX also yields more accurate and consistent results independent of subjective judgments of individual engineers. In the frequency band under investigation, the modes are very close to one another. Quickly identifying the critical modes represents an important challenge for the engineering team. The integrated LMS Test.Lab GVT solution offers the ability to quickly find and identify the critical modes in a reliable way, enabling the company to significantly shorten the turnaround time for these critical tests.
To support the complex deployment of the GVT system in a time-critical aircraft development process, EADS-CASA decided to rely on LMS Engineering Services. A dedicated project team of Alava Ingenieros and LMS engineers supported the deployment of the LMS Test.Lab system, through a careful system installation and integration, extensive user training and on the job assistance. In addition, EADS-CASA and LMS cooperated to exchange know how and best practices regarding the application of multiple excitation techniques like mode appropriation, stepped sine, swept sine and random testing. Overall, the LMS Test Lab Ground Vibration Testing solution and the successful deployment and technology transfer project allowed EADS-CASA to realize considerable savings in time and resources on the Airbus A330 MRTT project.
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