Military Technology 06/2020

Industrial Focus MT 6/2020 · 69 MilTech: Can you explain the principle behind EBO Bend? MW: The EBO Bend process directs the electron beam through a special pipe device, at the end of which a deflection unit is installed which bends or deflects the beam by 90°, using an electromagnetic coil. This enables us to ‘weld round the corner’ in areas which are otherwise not accessible or, for example, to weld pipes on the inside instead of on the outside. MilTech: Are there any specific special requirements to allow this process? MW: No, any of our electron beam chamber machines of the EBOCAM series can be equipped with an EBO Bend system – it can even be retro- fitted to them. In the process, the system, which has a diameter of only 75 mm, can be extended to any length, depending on the chamber size, and adapted to different welding distances. It is guaranteed to function reliably, even at a maximum acceleration voltage of 150 kV. MilTech: Can the system be customised for specific customer requirements? MW: Yes, because welding tasks are, of course, different from customer to customer. As already mentioned, the system can be extended variably and adapted to various welding distances. A seam locating system, for example, can also be integrated. In this manner, by precise scanning with the electron beam, a seam which is not visible from the outside can be detected directly in the welding position and, thanks to reliable positio- ning, the seam can be welded with high precision. MilTech: What are the main areas of application for EBO Bend? MW: The areas of application are diverse – mainly, everywhere whe- re a high seam quality is required for welding pipe-flange connections, as is the case, for example, when manufacturing linear accelerators. A Steigerwald chamber machine with EBO Bend system was supplied to CERN, the European organisation for nuclear research, for example, whe- re the world’s largest particle accelerator is used for fundamental physics research on a large scale. Safran EUROFLIR410 Observation System for French Navy DAUPHINs Safran Electronics & Defense is to provide Héli-Union with its new-ge- neration EUROFLIR410 optronic observation system for the French Navy’s DAUPHIN N3 helicopters after a hard-fought international compe- tition, the company announced on 13 May. Héli-Union and DCI were jointly awarded a contract by the French ar- med forces last year covering the lease of a further 12 modified DAUPHIN N3, in addition to the four already in service. The aircraft will replace the ageing ALOUETTE III in naval service until the H160M GUÉPARD enters service – which is currently foreseen for 2028. The new-generation EUROFLIR410 provides unrivalled observation capabilities under any conditions of visibility, in particular due to its IAI Innovation Centre Completes First Development Cycle Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on 21 May that its Innovation Centre has completed its first 13-week development cycle and has already selected ventures for a second round. The Innovation Centre operates in collaboration with Starburst, a global accelerator that specializes in aerospace. During the initial cycle, three teams completed Proof of Concept (PoC) ventures involving robotics, autonomous operations and artificial intelligence for space and satellite applications. Following the accelerated development stage, the ventures will continue to evolve within IAI’s operational environment. IAI has already selected ventures for the Centre’s second cycle: R&D managers, aided by IAI’s Innovation Administration, screened the ideas submitted by employees based on business feasibility, market relevance and application to the future battlefield. The shortlisted ventures will start their development at the Centre by the end of May. The Innovation Centre uses open innovation methodologies to encour- age technological diversity and in-house entrepreneurship. The develop- ment teams undertake a fast engineering process to create a minimum viable product (MVP), while attending a personal and group enrichment programme which covers accelerated development, team building and management, public speaking, establishing collaboration and more. “IAI invests hundreds of millions of dollars every year in in-house R&D of innovative technologies. The Innovation Centre is unique in its startup model, which exists inside a stable, well-established company, providing IAI’s engineers with a path for testing their ideas and developing a PoC within weeks. The Innovation Centre adds to IAI’s technological capabil- ities that lay the building blocks for our future product lines. Open inno- vation and accelerated development have allowed us to launch dozens of different solutions to help the battle against COVID-19 and respond ‘here and now’ to the needs of the healthcare system. IAI will continue to stand at the forefront of technology, providing its employees and managers a range of ways to support the development of these technologies, advance growth, and reinforce IAI’s technological resilience,” explained Dr Amira Sahron, Chief Technology Officer and Executive VP of Strategy and R&D. Welding Round the Corner Steigerwald Strahltechnik in Maisach specialises in electron beam welding technology. MilTech recently had the opportunity to talk to Marco Wittig at Steigerwald about the company’s fascinating EBO Bend system, which allows welders to ‘turn the corner.’ IAI’s Innovation Centre encourages technological diversity, in-house entrepreneurship and – seemingly – pertinent graffiti! (Photo: Israel Aerospace Industries) The special pipe device allows for electron beam deflection of 90%, using an electromagnetic coil. (Photo: Steigerwald Strahltechnik GmbH)