HUERTH, Germany / CINCINNATI, OH, April 9th – Since the signing of the Joint Technology Development Agreement in May, 2023, Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business, and GE Aerospace have been making significant strides in revolutionizing commercial aircraft engine inspections. Through collaborative efforts, both companies have embarked on two pivotal programs aimed at enhancing aircraft engine inspections for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) as well as on-wing applications.
With a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, they concentrated their efforts for these first programs on advancing the following key features:
- Machine vision analytics
- Robotics automation
By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and expertise, they aim to streamline inspection procedures and enhance operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.
The collaborative endeavors undertaken by Waygate Technologies and GE Aerospace signify a concerted effort to address the evolving needs of the aviation sector. By focusing on machine vision analytics development and deployment through the Mentor Visual iQ+ video borescope, the companies seek to refine inspection methodologies, enabling the global aerospace industry to achieve the needed ramp in maintenance capacity regionally, aligned with the installed customer base, deploying advanced technology capable of more comprehensive assessments of aircraft engine components.
Moreover, by integrating robotics for automation, they aim to optimize the inspection process, reducing turnaround times and, through the use of assisted defect recognition, facilitated by standard image collection, support a rapidly growing workforce increasing the rate at which skilled aircraft engineers achieve certification.
“Our collaboration with GE Aerospace exemplifies our shared commitment to driving innovation and excellence within the aerospace industry,” stated Mike Domke, General Manager Visual at Waygate Technologies. “Through our combined expertise and resources, we are poised to deliver game-changing solutions that will elevate the standard of aircraft engine inspections.”
“We are thrilled to report the substantial progress made under the Joint Technology Development Agreement with Waygate Technologies,” said Michael Eriksen, Innovation Leader for Commercial Engine Services at GE Aerospace. “Together, we are pioneering transformative solutions that will redefine aircraft engine inspections, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, reducing the impact of operator variability and enabling our customers to readily visualize a digital record of their asset throughout its’ lifecycle. Ultimately, this reduces unplanned maintenance events and supports increased aircraft utilization.”
As Waygate Technologies and GE Aerospace continue to advance their collaborative efforts, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, shaping the future of aircraft engine inspections and reinforcing their positions as industry leaders.
Visitors and attendees at the MRO Americas show in Chicago (April 9-11) will be able to see the first working prototype to experience these latest achievements live in action. The booth numbers for on-site orientation are #4626 (Waygate Technologies) and #2184 (GE Aerospace).
About GE Aerospace
GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and systems for commercial and military aircraft with a global service network to support these offerings. GE Aerospace and its joint ventures have an installed base of more than 40,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines, and the business is playing a vital role in shaping the future of flight. For more information, visit us at www.GEAerospace.com
About Waygate Technologies
Waygate Technologies is part of the Inspection portfolio within the Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) Industrial & Energy Technology business segment. As an industrial inspection solutions provider and world leader in nondestructive testing (NDT), we ensure safety, quality and productivity. We combine more than 125 years of experience and a collection of heritage product brands including Krautkrämer, Phoenix, Seifert, Everest and Agfa NDT. Today, hundreds of brands in the aviation, space exploration, automotive, energy and battery industries trust our technologies. We drive digital transformation through a broad portfolio of award-winning solutions in industrial radiography and computed tomography (CT), remote visual inspection (RVI), ultrasound (UT), and robotic inspection. Inspection starts here: bakerhughes.com/waygate-technologies
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