The aerospace industry pushes the boundaries of engineering potential. Every component (whether a turbine blade, flight control sensor, or optical window) must work flawlessly in severe temperatures, stress, and vibration.
Image Credit: Andrey_Popov
In such a setting, even the smallest deviations can lead to inefficiency, downtime, or catastrophic failure. For over 50 years, Zygo-Navitar has provided advanced metrology and optical solutions to aerospace manufacturers and operators.
These technologies are more than just measurement and imaging. They enable safety, dependability, and innovation in one of the most demanding industries.
Metrology For Manufacturing and MRO
When manufacturing aeronautical components, such as turbine blades, tolerances must be ultra small, in the range of microns or nanometers.
Traditional contact-based inspection is often too slow, unreliable, and dangerous for such high-value components. Zygo™'s 3D optical profilers, driven by Coherence Scanning Interferometry (CSI), provide non-contact, full-field measurements with nanoscale precision.
From blade geometry and surface roughness to cracks and deformation, Zygo devices provide data rapidly and consistently, even in production settings. The maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector benefits from the same level of precision.
Aircraft components are subject to wear and stress throughout their lifespan, and Zygo's metrology instruments help determine whether parts can be safely reused or require replacement. The result is reduced downtime, increased fleet availability, and enhanced passenger safety.
Additive Manufacturing and UAV Growth
Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing aerospace production, especially for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAV demand is expected to rise in the coming years, yet quality assurance for AM parts remains a challenge.
AM parts often have steep slopes, rough textures, and fluctuating reflectivity, making them challenging to measure with standard metrology instruments. Zygo's CSI technology excels in this area, enabling repeatable, non-contact measurements of metals, composites, and polymers.
By ensuring dimensional accuracy and surface integrity, Zygo helps aerospace innovators to approve AM products faster and more confidently. In reality, this translates into fewer failures, reduced rework, and speedier adoption of lightweight AM designs in mission-critical aerospace applications.
Optics That Withstand The Atmosphere’s Harshest Conditions
Beyond metrology, Zygo-Navitar plays a central role in aeronautical optics. From navigation and imaging to surveillance and communication, optical systems must be clear and reliable in harsh environments.
Zygo-Navitar specializes in:
- EO/IR gimbal windows to protect sensitive payloads and minimize optical distortion
- Large Conformal and structural windows made of modern ceramics, such as magnesium aluminate spinel, provide durability and clarity at high speeds and altitudes
- Custom coatings for aerospace, including anti-reflective and salt-fog resistant silver
- Imaging systems, lenses, and cameras for robotics, automation, lab analysis, quality control, and research
These technologies ensure that imaging and sensing systems work optimally, regardless of the environment.
Tailored Engineering for Complex Challenges
Each aerospace program poses a unique set of challenges. Zygo's strengths include not only its instruments and optics, but also its collaborative attitude.
Whether integrating profilers into automated inspection lines, building metrology processes for AM UAV parts, or producing conformal windows for high-speed aircraft, Zygo tailors solutions to its customers' requirements.
This collaborative approach ensures that aerospace companies acquire more than tools; they gain confidence in their ability to innovate while being safe and compliant.
The Path Forward
Precision is critical in the aerospace business. Zygo-Navitar provides the metrology and optical knowledge that enables manufacturers, MRO providers, and innovators to achieve the highest levels of performance and safety.
Zygo's solutions enable the aerospace sector to confidently push boundaries on turbine blades, UAVs, gimbal windows, and sophisticated coatings. When precision is critical, Zygo-Navitar is the partner who ensures innovation takes flight.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Zygo Corporation.
For more information on this source, please visit Zygo Corporation.