OC Robotics' Blade Inspection Tool (BIT) toolkits now available to order for GEnx engines

OC Robotics, a GE Aerospace company, is now taking orders for its advanced Blade Inspection Tool (BIT). BIT is an on-wing kit that uses AI technology to provide MRO shops with faster, more accurate inspection assessments for GEnx engines.

This technology gives GEnx-1B and -2B customers clear and consistent insight during HPT Stage 1 & Stage 2 blade inspections. Blade inspectors with integral cameras capture images with cutting edge AI technology, extracting and presenting them for review. BIT enables the user to measure both lines and areas on blade surfaces, to make an accurate assessment of the condition of hardware.

"Our BIT technology is a great example of how we are innovating new ways to create service solutions for our customers," said Nicole Tibbetts, Chief Manufacturing Engineer for MRO at GE Aerospace. "Industrializing BIT technology enables MRO providers to use this state-of-the-art tool for fast, accurate assessments of GEnx HPT blades."

The BIT toolkit can be used while the engine is on wing and enables reduced Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) inspection times by up to 50 percent* compared to tradition borescope methods.

Traditional borescopes use stereoscopic tips to generate a 3D map of the environment and require regular calibration. BIT uses consistent images of the blade and knowledge of the blade geometry to provide a simple measurement process.

“Traditional borescopes also lack the ability to steer and navigate inside some very tight spaces of the engine,” said Adam Mallion, Technical Sales Director for GE Aerospace. “Our BIT technology allows operators to get consistent images with the same angles and viewpoints every time.

The BIT tool is part of OC Robotic’s 360 Inspection System, a family of tools designed to help standardize inspection of GE and CFM engines.

BIT is part of OC Robotics parent company GE Aerospace’s focus to industrialize new service technologies that help support our customers’ cost of ownership and the turnaround time that they need. In December, GE Aerospace announced the formation of its Service Technology Acceleration Center (STAC), dedicated to developing engine services technologies and work processes.

Current technology that GE has brought to market include:

• GE’s Deep Cavity Inspection System: This inspection tool allows a single operator to perform “Enhanced FPI Inspection” of deep cavity spools using a fully automated system for highly repeatable, consistent results. It is compatible for GE and CFM engine lines including the GE90, GEnx, CFM LEAP, CF34-8, CF6-80C2 and Passport
• GE 360 Foam Wash: A cart injects a proprietary foam detergent into commercial jet engines to remove dust and dirt particles ingested during service. The foam reaches targeted areas within the engine, helping restore performance and improve fuel efficiency. Cleaning a GE90-powered Boeing 777 aircraft engines with 360 Foam Wash instead of a traditional water wash has the potential to save 35,500 gallons of fuel per year and related and related CO₂ emissions.