GKN Aerospace Deutschland is a global tier-one supplier of airframe and engine structures, landing gear, electrical interconnection systems, transparencies, and aftermarket services.

The company has more than 38 manufacturing locations in 12 countries and 17,000 employees worldwide. It continuously invests in research and development to improve aircraft performance, efficiency, and safety—and to shape the future of the aerospace industry.

GKN Aerospace elevates the performance of more than 100,000 flights every day.

The effect of legacy aerospace 3D measurement methods

The metrology team at GKN Aerospace faced major challenges in its part inspection workflows. For one, traditional touch-probing systems provided only selective evaluations, which often resulted in insufficient data for detailed assessments of complex free-form surfaces.

In addition, the need for more comprehensive and detailed information about manufacturing equipment and components was crucial to maintaining high standards of quality and facilitating fast decision-making. Unfortunately, conventional 3D measurement methods were no longer enough to keep up with the increasingly intricate parts of different sizes and the uptick in customer demand.

The team decided to invest in a new metrology solution to overcome these challenges. GKN Aerospace had several criteria.

“We were looking for a metrology solution that had a high degree of accuracy and could provide a lot of data in a very short time, regardless of the part size,” says Andreas Herkner, site quality manager at GKN Aerospace. “It had to be mobile and quickly ready for use as well as compatible with in-house software. And we wanted the solution to offer touch-probing capabilities.” 

MetraSCAN 3D: Launching a new era in inspection quality

To address these challenges, GKN Aerospace adopted Creaform’s 3D measurement technology—specifically, the MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner and VXelements 3D scanning software. 

Apart from MetraSCAN 3D’s proven ability to measure a wide variety of component sizes and shapes at very fast speeds, the team was impressed with the 3D scanner’s accuracy and ease of use.

“The implementation of the MetraSCAN was seamless,” Herkner says. “The metrology team was able to integrate the system into our workflows immediately, with minimal training.”

The MetraSCAN 3D was primarily used to inspect manufacturing equipment, allowing for regular checks and quick responses to all quality issues. Creaform’s training services ensured that all key users could use the 3D scanner effectively with minimal onboarding.

“We especially appreciated that the ongoing support was readily available for any specific questions we had prior to and past implementation,” says Herkner. 

The MetraSCAN 3D helps inspection teams to quickly generate accurate 3D scans of aerospace components. Credit: Creaform

Tangible ROI, thanks to a smart investment in a metrology solution

The introduction of Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D brought about significant improvements in GKN Aerospace’s quality control processes. 

The ability to quickly obtain high-quality data in a very short time allowed technicians to make quick comparisons with 3D models for more frequent inspections. As a result of more timely detection of deviations, as well as easy, reliable fault analyses, the inspection team was able to proactively address quality issues.

One specific inspection project involved using MetraSCAN for checking the dimensions of pressure pieces, which are subject to high loads and require regular assessments. The ability to perform rapid and detailed measurements ensured that the parts met the necessary stringent customer requirements to ensure overall safety and reliability.

The MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner integrates seamlessly with third-party software, such as PolyWorks.

Conclusion: Better inspection tools lead to better component quality

“Thanks to Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D, we have achieved a whole new level of quality control,” Herkner says. “The accuracy, speed, and user-friendliness of the technology have allowed us to perform more detailed evaluations and respond swiftly to any issues.

“This investment has not only improved our operational efficiency but also strengthened our commitment to delivering the highest-quality aerospace components. We are extremely satisfied with the results.”

Published Feb. 13, 2025, by Creaform.