(from left to right): Hans-Jörg Dau (DAUtec), Dr. Franz Josef Kirschfink (Lufthansa Technik), Dr. Andreas Vahl (ZAL) in the environmental testing laboratory.
Lufthansa Technik, ZAL and DAUtec put an environmental testing laboratory „TestCenter“ into operation
An exemplary cooperation of Lufthansa Technik AG and DAUtec GmbH under the umbrella of the Center of Applied Aeronautical Research (ZAL) strengthens effectively a core competence of the Aviation Cluster Hamburg Metropolitan Region. By the initiation of the TestCenter – an environmental testing laboratory on the Lufthansa Technik base at Hamburg Airport – in the late summer of 2011 an exceptional range of test infrastructure will be available for the local aviation industry.
ZAL Managing Director Dr. Andreas Vahl points out the reduction of cost in the stage of validation of technologies through the joint use of test infrastructure: „Our partners generate synergies by cooperating within a competent network. With DAUtec on board we are able to offer the necessary know-how in Aerospace Test and Qualification Services as well as Technical Documentation from one source.“
Located in the Cabin Innovation Center of Lufthansa Technik the environmental testing laboratory named TestCenter provides highly specified test infrastructure in which the airworthiness of new products is put to the test in accordance with the relevant specifications such as RTCA DO-160 and MIL-STD-810. The environmental simulations cover shock and vibration tests as well as temperature and humidity tests and are thoroughly rounded off by HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Test) and HASS (Highly Accelerated Stress Screening) and the electromagnetic compatibility check EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).
A really remarkable device of an environmental testing laboratory, however, is constituted by the autoclave integrated in the test infrastructures. The programmable oven is primarily used for thermal treatment of composite materials under increased pressure of up to 16 bar and increased temperature of up to 250° Celsius. With an interior diameter of five metres the autoclave of Lufthansa Technik produced by the company Scholz (Coesfeld/Germany) belongs to the biggest of its kind; it is specially tailored for the impressive reverses of Airbus A380.
DAUtec“s test and qualification engineers have found out that the autoclave is an interesting alternative to conventional environmental chambers which may be limited in width and thus cannot be used for the testing of bulky units and equipment. Dr.-Ing. Christian Möller – responsible for the operation of the environmental testing laboratory on the part of DAUtec – explains that the autoclave is highly useful for temperature and pressure tests: „We have been able to open up a new, profitable purpose of use and to optimize the productivity of the autoclave which was only established at the end of 2009 on the base of our partner Lufthansa Technik.“
In view of the expenses for the investment in the autoclave (1.7 Million Euros) Director Technology Projects at Lufthansa Technik Dr. Franz Josef Kirschfink is pleased with the already visible synergies of the cooperation: „DAUtec has straight away made a virtue out of necessity. These are absolutely practical patent remedies at their best and perfectly mirror our understanding of innovation.“
Hans-Jörg Dau is looking forward to new challenges as part of a world-wide marketing of the TestCenter which will be managed by DAUtec from now on: „On opening the environmental testing laboratory we are happy to welcome as our first customer one of the prestigious world market leaders in the field of galleys and medical cabin equipment, namely the Swiss company Bucher Leichtbau AG“, says degreed engineer for aerospace technology and enthusiastic pilot Dau.
DAUtec GmbH – a limited company operating in the aviation industry – offers engineering services comprising Aerospace Test and Qualification Services, Technical Documentation and Flight Accident Investigation. Founded by Dipl.-Ing. Hans-Jörg Dau in 2003, the company has been certified according to DIN EN 9100:2003 and aims at an accreditation of the environmental testing laboratory in accordance with DIN 17025. At the company location of Hamburg DAUtec employs a staff of about 10 people.
DAUtec GmbH – a limited company operating in the aviation industry – offers engineering services comprising Aerospace Test and Qualification Services, Technical Documentation and Flight Accident Investigation. Founded by Dipl.-Ing. Hans-Jörg Dau in 2003, the company has been certified according to DIN EN 9100:2003 and aims at an accreditation of the environmental testing laboratory in accordance with DIN 17025. At the company location of Hamburg DAUtec employs a staff of about 10 people.
Photo: Lufthansa Technik AG
Kontakt:
DAUtec GmbH
Hans-Jörg Dau
Merkurring 116
22143 Hamburg
dau@dautec.de
04022947770
http://www.dautec.de