Eads and Creaform have entered into a technological partnership agreement covering 3D optical measurement for aerospace and defence applications.

This five-year agreement provides for the development of innovative applications in the field of optical 3D measurement for non-destructive testing (NDT), test monitoring and form and surface measurement, applied to aeronautics, space and defence.

“EADS has successfully implemented Creaform’s 3D scanning and optical measurement technologies since 2008. The developments planned will enable EADS to reduce its development time cycle, create synergies and reduce the time-to-market of its new products,” said Yann Barbaux, head of EADS innovation works.

“Innovation and the development of 3D optical measurement is at the core of our growth strategy,” explained Charles Mony, president of Creaform. “This technological partnership with a world leader in aerospace and defence, in addition to the support that EADS Innovation Works will provide, will enable us to speed up our development process and focus our technological advances so to meet the needs of these particular sectors. As a young Canada-based company founded only 10 years ago, we are particularly pleased with EADS’s trust in us, and with potential side benefits of this agreement on our innovation capacity and the development of skilled labour in our region,” he added.

“We are delighted to have concluded this agreement, which reflects EADS’ support to Canadian SMEs active in innovation and new technologies - a support that is necessary to ensure they are competitive on the international market,” said Pierre Delestrade, president and CEO of EADS Canada.

One of its products Creaform offers is the high-end MetraSCAN 3D scanner devised as the logical complement to the HandyPROBE optical CMM. Powered by the C-Track dual-camera sensor, the MetraSCAN increases the reliability, speed and versatility of the measurement process like no other scanner before, says the company.

Creaform’s headquarters in Quebec City, Canada

Featuring Creaform’s TRUaccuracy technology, the MetraSCAN ensures highly accurate dimensional measurements regardless of the measurement environment (instability, vibrations, thermal variations, etc.) or operator skills. “This is what metrologists want,” stated product manager and former metrologist Daniel Brown.

“Scanning, probing, gap and flush analysis, shiny part inspection and fine surface detail acquisition can be performed quickly through an integrated and uninterrupted process that is above all compliant with the most stringent industry standards.”

Over the past 10 years, Creaform has grown from a five-employee metrology services start-up to a 300-employee international company and major developer and manufacturer of 3D portable optical measurement technology and provider of 3D engineering services.

The company has shown a spectacular 79 per cent compounded growth rate since 2002, and has sold more than 2,500 systems in the past decade. Plus, the company has been awarded more than 30 prizes for its vision, innovation and success.

“Looking back at the past decade and considering the humble means that we had in 2002, I’m just in awe of what we have accomplished, and how fast we became a major player in the 3D optical measurement technology industry,” says Mony. “This might sound a bit cliché, but all of this was made possible by the innovation spirit and tireless work of our crew, the support of our partners and the confidence of our ever-growing client base. 10 years have gone by, and yet our drive, passion and determination remain absolutely intact. “