| Groupe Institut de Soudure and Composite Integrity have just carried out non-destructive testing on the composites of IMOCA, the new Open 60 monohull to be piloted by Arnaud Boissières, skipper and holder of the SNSM record. The aim of this intervention from partners of Le Bateau des Métiers by Aerocampus is to check the condition of the materials in order to ensure human safety and the integrity of the structures of the composite parts on-board the monohull. 
Le Bateau des Métiers by Aérocampus, with the mast removed for inspection, on the jetty of the Vendée Globe
Reinforced testing in the name of performance and safety
For three days, a team of experienced controllers from Groupe Institut de Soudure and Composite Integrity concentrated on the mast, the rudders and the boom, as well as on the reinforcing elements in the inner hull. "We take advantage of the experience and the presence of our two partners in Sables d‘Olonne to really push the checks to their limits, on other elements subjected to extreme stresses", stated Arnaud Boissières.
After removing the mast and transporting it to the workshop, the mast, which is 27 metres long, was examined at 700 different points. The boom and the rudders were also inspected. "The boat undergoes an ultrasonic scan to ensure there is no pre-damage", explained Jérôme Raynal, sales director of Composite Integrity. Tap tests were also carried out to detect any faults in the glued assemblies.
Ultrasound inspection station with encoder to provide mapping of the carbon composite part being checked
Thanks to the expertise of the controllers, IMOCA underwent non-destructive testing in optimal conditions using cutting-edge techniques, which are notably used for aircraft.
Expertise from the aeronautics field applied to the nautical world
The project to get this racing yacht ready began in Aérocampus Aquitaine. Today, the South-West of France is a flagship of the nautical industry, with over 400 companies present, 2,400 employees and over 300 million euros of annual turnover. The objective of Le Bateau des Métiers by Aérocampus is to prepare a racing yacht for the Vendée Globe in the form of a training workshop, where all skills of the South-West - naval and aeronautic - will be visible for all to see.
Use of ultrasound technologies to check the condition of the material
Non-destructive testing by Groupe Institut de Soudure and Composite Integrity, its 50% subsidiary along with PPE, is one of the skills of the project's financial and technical partners. Certified NADCAP NDT for aeronautics, Composite Integrity is a unique platform in Europe, bringing the most effective control technologies together in the same place. "Le Bateau des Métiers by Aérocampus enables exchanges between industrial partners from different horizons", added Arnaud Boissières.
Ultrasound mapping device
On the Transat Jacques Vabre starting line
Arnaud Boissières and his co-skipper Stanislas Maslard will be taking to the seas on-board IMOCA on 25th October for the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre. "We are very proud to be partners of Le Bateau des Métiers by Aerocampus, and we are convinced that the quality of the materials from which it is made will allow Arnaud Boissières and Stanislas Maslard to sail a great race in 2015, as well as the next Vendée Globe in November 2016", said Abdelkrim Chehaibou, Research Director of the Group and Managing Director of Institut de Soudure (association) and Chairman of Composite Integrity.
View of the mast after ultrasound inspection
Presentation of the partners
COMPOSITE INTEGRITY, dedicated to non-destructive testing of composite parts, is a joint company of Groupe Institut de Soudure and PPE.
It has been installed in the Composite Park in Porcelette in Lorraine (Eastern France) since 2010 and on the site of Aérocampus Aquitaine since 2014. Composite Integrity offers industrial firms its expertise in non-destructive testing on composites at every stage of their projects: NDI on serial parts in production, expertise, new NDT techniques development, consultancy and training of controllers. Composite Integrity is certified ISO 9001, EN 9100, PRI NADCAP NDT and PR5120.
GROUPE INSTITUT DE SOUDURE: Groupe Institut de Soudure (1,000 employees, 30 locations in France and 9 globally, €100 M turnover in 2014) lends its expertise in the fields of metallurgy, composites, assembly and related testings to industrial firms, during their phases of designing, manufacturing and maintaining industrial equipment. The Group brings together six strategic activities: inspection, testing, expertise, training and certification of staff, research and training, certification of companies and products.
PPE: an international technology transfer centre, PPE is specialised in composite materials. Certified ISO 9001/EN 9100, it is involved in the processing of composite materials with continuous fibres and thermoplastic or thermosetting matrices. Since it was founded, more than 600 technology transfers have been realized all over the world.
AEROCAMPUS AQUITAINE: for three years, this campus dedicated to the aeronautics and space sector has been bringing together partners and expertise and is now recognised by large groups (Dassault Aviation, Airbus Helicopter training Services, Airbus Group, Telespazio, Saft, etc.). Le Bateau des Métiers by AEROCAMPUS is more than just a concept; it's a genuine symbol of economic development in the maritime sector, combining aeronautical and naval expertise to train our youth and benefit our industries. |
