Aeronautics and Aerospace - Grupo ISQ€¦ · consultancy & services 37 phased array as a non-destructive inspection technique 40 technical advice on airport safety 42 ecodesign in

Research & DevelopmentClean SkyAIRMES

AeronauticsQuality, Safety and Sustainability in aircraft and airports

SpacePresence in ESA and CNES

InterviewMinister of Science, Technology and Higher Education

Aeronautics and Aerospace

April // Biannual

Series IV // No. 02YEAR 2016

€5.00 (VAT included)

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TestingMaterials Properties | Non-destructive | Dynamic | Structural, static and endurance | Thermodynamic | Climatic | Electromagnetic compatibility and electrostatic discharge | Chemical | Metrological | Customised test design and performance | Multi-technological testing programme management

Inspections and other servicesIn-situ NDC inspections | Environmental studies | Occupational Health & Safety | Outsourcing of lab activities

Space Centre ActivitiesMonitoring of assembly, validation, supply and launcher handling industrial operations | Safety coordination for assembly operations and preparation of launchers | Validation and supply of payloads | Coordination of space port environmental monitoring | Risk assessment and system reliability

Research & DevelopmentMaterials and aerostructures | Maintenance | Instrumentation and electronics | Health, safety & environment | Training

AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE

TECHNOLOGY & QUALITY _ APRIL 2016 03

EDITORIAL ISQ RESPONDS TO CUTTING-EDGE SECTORS

ISQ RESPONDS TO CUTTING-EDGE SECTORS

We believe that 2016, albeit tenuously, will be a turning point in the crisis cycle of

the last five years. The country’s major industrial units are expected to intensify their shutdown periods for maintenance and, consequently, ISQ will boost service provision in this sector.At the same time, rather counter-cyclically, we have had and still have important investments in the aeronautics sector in different regions of the country. This seems to indicate the importance of sector in the Portuguese economy, all the more so with newly approved investment projects aiming at establishing new industrial units in Portugal.As a cross-cutting technological infrastructure in the Portuguese economy, ISQ has played a role in all major projects relevant to the country. Our action includes various skills, from support to licensing, construction, testing and analyses of the production cycle to cycle, product development support. Such is the case of validation tests for the Embraer half-wing project, being run in our structural testing labs in Castelo Branco.Portugal has also participated in various space-related European programmes, developed by European bodies, such as ESA (European Space Agency) and ESO (European Southern Observatory). ISQ also maintains ongoing contribution in these programmes, and has been monitoring the operations of the Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launching systems at the European Space Centre in French Guiana for over a decade.Similarly, the contract secured by ISQ to supervise and inspect the assembly

of the ELT (Extra Large Telescope) in the Atacama desert, in Chile, is also noteworthy.Portugal faces ongoing challenges under these programmes, particularly in ESA with the development of Ariane 6, Vega and the PRIDE-ISV programme based on the IXV vehicle. I must emphasise that ISQ played an important role in the IXV project with a testing programme to validate the development engineering of this vehicle.The Portuguese Government, in the person of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Prof. Manuel Heitor, announced the idea of a project for an Atlantic platform to be deployed in the Azores, with a number of objectives based on space and sea-related scientific programmes together with eventually tapping into corresponding markets.In this respect, ISQ is prepared to take on this challenge and be part of a broad alliance of Portuguese and foreign entities and companies to bring it to fruition. It

is essential that this cluster results in an industrial sector with impact on our economy. In order to achieve this, it is absolutely essential to allocate strong political and financial aid, through programme contracts that support a rallying project.I would also like to offer a word of praise for the dedication and commitment of those at ISQ who have made all this possible, and my gratitude for the proof of confidence in the institutions and companies with which we cooperate in the various fields of activity and, in the present case, in the aeronautics and aerospace industry.

Manuel CruzChairman of ISQ Board of Directors

TECHNOLOGY & QUALITY _ APRIL 201604

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Research & DevelopmentClean SkyAIRMES

AeronauticsQuality, Safety and Sustainability in aircraft and airports

SpacePresence in ESA and CNES

InterviewMinister of Science, Technology and Higher Education

Aeronautics and Aerospace

April // Biannual

Series IV // No. 02YEAR 2016

€5.00 (VAT included)

YE

AR

S

YEAR 2016Series IV // No. 02April // Biannual

EDITORIAL03 ISQ RESPONDS TO CUTTING-EDGE SECTORS

INTERVIEW05 MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND

HIGHER EDUCATION Manuel Heitor

AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE10 ISQ IN THE AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE

SECTOR

15 3, 2, 1... TAKEOFF CONFIRMED

20 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR IN THE ISQ GROUP

TESTIMONIALS22 ESA | NEW PRIDE SPACECRAFT WILL RELY

ON ISQ TESTING

23 ESQS | EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE TOWARDS ARIANE 6

24 A SPECIAL ADVENTURE AT THE FRENCH GUIANA SPACE CENTRE

25 SAFRAN | CHOICE OF A NATURAL WOULD-BE PARTNER

26 THALES ALENIA SPACE | PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE LAUNCHER SCENARIOS

28 EMBRAER | SERVICE QUALITY MAKES ISQ A COMPETITIVE PARTNER

30 AED | REPRESENTATIVENESS OF AED AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO STRENGTHENING COLLECTIVE EFFICIENCY

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT32 CLEAN SKY EUROPEAN PROGRAMME

34 NEW PARADIGMS FOR THE INTEGRATED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT – ISQ IN THE AIRMES PROJECT

TESTIMONIAL36 TAP PORTUGAL | A PROJECT THAT

STRENGTHENS COOPERATION BETWEEN ISQ AND TAP

CONSULTANCY & SERVICES37 PHASED ARRAY AS A NON-DESTRUCTIVE

INSPECTION TECHNIQUE

40 TECHNICAL ADVICE ON AIRPORT SAFETY

42 ECODESIGN IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

TRAINING44 WE ARE TRAINING AND SKILLING FOR...

FLYING!

47 TRAINING PLAN 2ND HALF OF 2016

TESTIMONIAL48 IEFP | INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THE

AERONAUTICS SECTOR IN PORTUGAL

CHATTING WITH...50 NUNO MARQUES

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COORDINATED BYISQ Communication and Image Office

CONTACTSTelephone: (+351) 214 228 100

Email: [email protected]

EDITORIAL PRODUCTIONGraziela Afonso

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www.infoqualidade.net

DESIGNCempalavras, Comunicação Empresarial, Lda.

Graphic Design: Ana Gavetawww.cempalavras.pt

PHOTOGRAPHYISQ, contributors and Istock

PRE-PRINTING AND PRINTINGGrafisol – Artes Gráficas

PERIODICITYBiannual

COVER PRICE€5.00

PRINT RUN2,000 copies

LEGAL DEPOSIT36587/90

ISSN0871-5742

ERC Register: Exempt pursuant to Regulatory Decree No. 8/99 of 9 June, Article 12(1)(a)

Free distribution to ISQ associates

No reproduction, whether in full or in part, of texts, photos and illustrations is permitted with the explicit authorisation of ISQ.

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INTERVIEW MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER EDUCATION

As the Minister responsible for the Science, Technology and Higher Education portfolio in the current office, Manuel Heitor undertook various commitments. With strong ideas and sustainableproposals, based on a career spanning decades in higher education, innovation and research & development, both in Portugal and abroad, Minister Manuel Heitor is committed to, and engaged in working towards a Portugal of science, knowledge and culture. He acknowledges that institutions such as ISQ, mediating and interfacing between know-how and society, play a key role.

In your first statement, on the Government’s Programme submission took on a commitment for a growing focus on knowledge. In broad lines, how does this focus translate?Portugal must commit to the goal of becoming a country of science, knowledge and culture, and this requires a strategic effort to qualify the population and dignify scientific institutions and careers, within a framework of an indispensable growing and more stable investment in research & development (R&D). The challenge of achieving convergence with Europe and qualifying the working population, taken up by Portugal, which includes ensuring 40% of the population between 30 and 34 will have a higher education degree or equivalent by 2020, requires concrete actions for broadening the social support basis of higher education and qualifying advanced training activities at doctoral and post-doctoral level, as well as enhancing the scientific activity profile and attracting skilled human resources to Portugal.

Manuel HeitorMinister of Science, Technology and Higher Education

I should say that these goals are not merely statistical, but rather a necessary effort of renewal of our economy with more qualified human resources. However, it is notable that the target of having 40% of the population between 30 and 34 with a higher education degree is today much more complex than when it was defined back in 2010. Over the last few years, Portugal departed from this target, essentially for two reasons: the continuing decrease in the rates of graduates between 22 and 30 and the high levels of emigration among young graduates. According to official statistical data, 11.6% of Portuguese graduates were living abroad in 2014. More than 27,000 graduates aged 30 to 34 have ceased to contribute to the qualification of the Portuguese economy and lowered the weight of the population with a higher education degree.

STRATEGIC EFFORT TO QUALIFY PORTUGAL


We must, therefore, involve more young people in higher education and attract young graduates to Portugal over the next few years. In view of this reality, we need to stimulate an environment of effective institutional autonomy and strengthened accountability of scientific, technological and higher education institutions, enabling the diversification of their revenues, increased quality standards and greater success in their internationalisation processes.

What specific measures should be taken to achieve those objectives and how can their outcomes impact on stakeholders?The intensity of R&D and the level of qualification of human resources are singled out as two critical factors for the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy affecting the product’s potential growth. Within this context, scientific and technological development and cooperation between science and industry are seen as a key challenge to leverage R&D activities in Portugal, a cooperation that means knowledge applicable to new products, processes and organisatons. Portugal has moved away from Europe over the last few years and now needs to make a collective effort to reverse this trend. This divergence is associated, on the one hand, with differences in investment levels in R&D as a percentage of GDP – 1.29% in Portugal as compared to 2.03% in the EU in 2014, while it had already reached about 1.6% in 2010, – and, on the other hand, with the low level of qualifications of Portuguese labour, compounded by deficiencies that can be seen in business management. We face a very difficult situation which demands determination and confidence in the future. Among many other aspects, it requires the definition of catalysing research and innovation agendas and programmes, properly concerted between universities, polytechnics and the productive fabric, particularly with businesses, in order to establish an effective “Commitment to Knowledge and Science” that stimulates scientific employment.

These agendas should stem from a collaborative effort between public and private sector researchers, by adopting a matrix that crosses specialisation priorities with transversal technologies and scientific knowledge and defining a frame of reference for allocating funding to public policies for science and innovation. The intention is to mobilise the productive sector so as to enable and scale up the qualification of the population across the country, stimulating skilled employment and converging towards the European average in terms of the public and private investment effort in R&D. I argue for a new political agenda committed to boosting jobs for young people and enhancing, attracting and retaining skilled human resources, committed to scientific employment and the promotion of innovation communities within a context of so-called “Open Innovation”. This is a difficult goal, from which we have departed over the last few years, but it is the only one that we should be guided by, for which a broad consensus involving us all is required.For example, it requires the strengthening of current knowledge interface and transfer centres, such as ISQ, including technological and engineering clusters or other types of “Collaborative Laboratories”, with the aim of stimulating cooperation between scientific and higher education institutions and the economic fabric and businesses, enabling the selective creation of skilled job centres that generate economic value and mobilise the capacity for industrial production.

Meeting at ISQMinister and President of ANI with the ISQ Board of Directors

Has Portuguese scientific production deserved the proper attention primarily from the government, the political class and public policy makers? What needs to be changed?Access to science and knowledge is indispensable for a society to be more informed and more aware of the world it inhabits, contributing to making it more human, fairer and more democratic, where welfare is shared by all. Access to knowledge, together with the guarantee of accessibility to training, is a fundamental right and a key factor in enhancement, social mobility and democratisation for the democratic states of contemporary societies. In addition, where the knowledge produced arises from public funding, its open source sharing becomes an unquestionable imperative.In this context, we have launched a National Policy on Open Science, defining the guiding principles for its implementation in close collaboration with the scientific and academic community and in liaison with the various entities involved. The State and the entities under its supervision will adopt as fundamental principles in the development of their remits, the open access to scientific publications and data resulting from research financed with public funds, as well as the guarantee of their preservation, in order to enable their re-use and continued access, all in compliance with intellectual property rights, and data safety and protection.Extending the transfer of scientific knowledge to society and businesses, making it accessible to the population in the right manner, will strengthen the social impact of research, and will contribute to its enhancement and recognition, and to innovating and modernising the country’s economic fabric.



Are we faced with the need for a change in paradigm?As I mentioned, the dynamics of innovation and the modernisation and competitiveness of the economic fabric have been seriously compromised in recent years with the decline in public investment in R&D, which has had a very negative impact on private investment, resulting in an unprecedented departure of Portugal from Europe. The total annual expenditure on R&D decreased by about 530 million euros between 2010 and 2014 (official data, IPCTN 2014), with a decrease in private spending by more than 300 million euros.The emphasis on the level of qualifications in the European Commission report on Portugal published in February confirms the dependence of the innovation process on social and economic appropriation of scientific and technological knowledge and that the dynamics of innovation can-not be sustained or renewed without this knowledge being permanently updated. Only a dynamic renewal of skills and sys-tematic training of economic agents can feed the modernisation and development of any economy. Furthermore, the fact that Portugal is one of the OECD countries with the lowest percentage of graduates in the population aged 25-64 (29th place out of 34 countries), has an obvious impact on the competitiveness of our economy and justifies the need for further effort towards qualification in higher levels of education.

ENHANCING THE IMPACT OF INVES-TIGATION ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONSYou have defended the need for training more PhDs for an increased domestic scientific capacity, and Portugal 2020 issued Notices (applications) designed to integrate PhD holders in companies. How is this achieved?Investment in human resources dedicated to scientific and technological activities is essential to ensure that we have a popu-lation with increased skills and to get back on track to progressively achieve conver-gence with Europe. Attracting and retai-ning qualified human resources, including encouraging new employment opportuni-ties and the development of careers for

PhD holders, together with the promotion of the rejuvenation of human resources in universities, polytechnics and scientific institutions in general, are key objectives of Portugal’s commitment to knowledge.The development of a policy to invest in qualifications cannot fail to be associated with a teaching staff and rejuvenated research, as well as expert professionals in intermediary institutions, with stable career prospects in order to avoid the forced emigration of the most qualified and the abandonment of research careers. We need to ensure the rejuvenation of scientific and technological institutions, attracting more and better scientists and technologists from around the world by creating an environment that stimulates the mobility of researchers.The Government is preparing an Incentive Programme to Hire PhD Researchers, which will enhance the impact of research in public and private institutions, promoting a close collaboration between R&D and educational activities, and help to provide higher education institutions, public organisations and intermediary institutions with more qualified professionals, formalising scientific post-PhD employment and ensuring the rejuvenation of the institutions following the best international practices.In addition to stimulating scientific employ-ment, the Government will also strengthen advanced training by encouraging the sup-ply of short-term, specialised post-gradu-ate courses and doubling public support.

For there to be more PhD holders and investigators in Portugal there needs to be attractive working conditions for them. What do you intend to do about this?Attracting and retaining qualified human resources, including encouraging new employment opportunities and the deve-lopment of careers for PhD holders, are key objectives of Portugal’s commitment to knowledge. This requires a collective effort that needs to be planned and imple-mented, together with the rejuvenation of human resources within the institutions in the Portuguese Scientific and Technologi-cal System, including intermediary institu-tions or “Collaborative Laboratories”.

MANUEL HEITOR MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Science, technology and innovation have long been part of Manuel Heitor’s professional and academic career. After taking up the office of Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education from 2005 to 2011, he is now its Minister. He has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Experimental Combustion), and has had an extensive academic career at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon. Apart from his work as a teacher, university lecturer and investigator, he held the office of Deputy President of IST in the 1990s. He has a deep dedication to the study of science, technology and innovation policies, and has founded a number of institutions in this area, launched international conferences, published books and in July 2015 promoted the Manifesto “Knowledge as Future” in the country.

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It is in this context that the Incentive Programme to Hire PhD Researchers, which is still in preparation and discussion, adopts the commitment to strengthening scientific employment through PhD researcher contracts. I strive to avoid the forced emigration of the most skilled individuals, the leaving of research careers and the frustration of unrewarded dedication to science and technology.The Programme also relies on increased confidence in the Portuguese Scientific and Technological System through the following principles: the adoption of stringent evaluation processes, always prioritising peer evaluation based on the in-depth discussion of content and the outcomes of scientific activity; compliance with international standards, and respect for clear, transparent rules recognised by the scientific community; enhancing the credibility of independent scientific evaluation that excludes an irresponsible, acritical use of metrics for evaluation purposes. Most importantly, we need to strengthen the understanding within Portuguese society that the content of scientific publications and their academic, scientific, social or economic appropriation are far more important than publication metrics or its appreciation based on the institutions that publish it.The Programme also aims to contribute to the emergence of a flexible organisational context, open to innovation and capable of providing the institutional and financial stability that is paramount for institutions to function properly, for the continuing renewal of the scientific community, ensuring a balance between generational transition and the retention of the human capital in place, within the statutory framework of teaching and scientific research careers; the liaison between the institutions in the Portuguese Scientific and Technological System and the economic and productive fabric, strengthening scientific employment, particularly in “Collaborative Laboratories” which take the form of institutional partnerships.

Among the objectives that you set out to achieve, you have also mentioned the need to upgrade the Lajes Base in the Azores, in the context of our Atlantic position. How do you see the creation of a potential platform of domestic technical and scientific competence and a possible collaboration with the USA?We have recently begun discussions on a new transatlantic scientific and technological cooperation programme incorporating an integrated R&D approach in the areas of climate, climate change, energy and the oceans, with a focus on the Atlantic, giving a particular emphasis to the strategic position of the Azores. This includes the possibility of developing an international research station in the Azores. It was this challenge that I addressed in March in Washington, at the White House, with the US Secretary of Energy, and with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the directors of NASA and the National Science Foundation, and we agreed on a work plan for the coming months to encourage multilateral cooperation on complex engineering and science systems applicable in this area.In this context, a meeting will take place on 10 June in New York, at the Institute of International Education (IIE), on “Climate Change, Energy and the Oceans: the future of international scientific and technological cooperation in the Atlantic”. A further meeting will be held in late June in the Azores, bringing together researchers from across the world.

Graziela AfonsoJournalist

C O L L A B O R AT I V E R O L E

In specific terms, how do you see the role of technological facilities, such as ISQ, in the development of knowledge and business innovation, in particular with regard to their mission and model of action?It is widely accepted today in Portuguese society that investment in science and technology is absolutely critical to foster increased competitiveness and increased economy with increased knowledge, with more innovative and more specialised companies. This, however, requires an inclusive approach whereby innovation is regarded and valued as an open process. The future of the Portuguese, our future, is interwoven in a purpose shared by all peoples. We all gain from the enthusiasm and benefits of discovering new knowledge when we all take part in learning and applying this knowledge productively.It is therefore paramount to promote a stronger scientific culture, defined and contextualised within its natural link to the educational, cultural and economic domains. But it is equally important to persist in a continuing effort to support scientific and technological activity, its institutions, and the mechanisms to connect and engage with society. It is in this context that the “Collaborative Laboratories”, or intermediary institutions, especially in the form of collaborative arrangements between the productive sector and the scientific institutions, play an increasingly relevant role in modern societies. They are based on “risk sharing”, which is absolutely fundamental in a context of growing market uncertainty, in technological development and our attitudes as society.


Strengthening intermediary

and knowledge transfer

institutions, or other types of “Collaborative Laboratories”, such as ISQ, undoubtedly requires the

encouragement of cooperation

between scientific and

higher education institutions and the economic

fabric and businesses, enabling the

selective creation of skilled

job centres, that generate

economic value and mobilise the capacity for industrial production.

Bearing in mind the importance of technological facilities at the interface between science and business, would you elect priority areas for this interaction?Our strategy is to actively mobilise science- and technology-based actors so that they can enable a domestic environment that stimulates “Cities and Regions with Knowledge”. I mean the absolute need for scaling up scientific and technological activities across the country, reinforcing and enhancing the impact of higher education and scientific and technological institutions on the Portuguese society and economy. The ultimate goal is to enable access to knowledge and its social and economic value, taking account of the specific features and diversity of our country. This includes the development of scientific, economic, cultural and social programmes based on shared responsibility.

The intermediary institutions could indeed play a key role at various levels. I would highlight the following among these:•Services: Focused on the development of digital

skills and their application to a wide range of telecommunications and energy services, and to public administration services and social, commercial and industrial activities;

•Industry,energy,environmentandtechnologymanagement: Involving the development of specialist support products and services for industrial companies, within a wide range of themes, technologies and services, including the areas of industrial innovation, energy efficiency, environmental, marine and port technologies, and of support for the setting-up and development of start-ups.

•Health,nursing,rehabilitationandsocialwelfaretechnologies: Based on the development of specialist clinical support services in health centres and hospitals, as well as remote support to the population, proximity support to healthy ageing, and social assistance and intensive care services, such as rehabilitation technologies and the development of specialist support services for sports and leisure centres, including innovative forms of “adventure sports”;

•Agri-food,forestryandhusbandry:Coveringthewholevaluechainoftheagri-food,forestryandhusbandrysectors,includingtheproductionanddisseminationofnewscientificknowledge,aswellassupportservicesforbusinessesandthedevelopmentofpublicpoliciesthatstimulateagricultural,forestryandhusbandryactivities,involving,asappropriate,thedevelopmentofnetworksofscientificinstitutions,networksofagriculturalschoolsandlocallyandinternationallyrelevantlaboratoriesandtheirevolutionintonetworksoffarmsandexperimentalstations,includingaquaculture.

THE ROLE OF ISQ IN THE INTERNATIONALISATION OF PORTUGAL’S TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITYISQ’s50yearsofactivityhavemadeitthelargestdomestictechnologicalinfrastructureandagroupthatisexpandinginternationally.Inyourview,whatchallengesdoesaninstitutionsuchasthisfacetoday?The strengthening of intermediary and knowledge transfer institutions, or other types of “Collaborative Laboratories”, such as ISQ, certainly requires the encouragement of cooperation between scientific and higher education institutions and the economic fabric and businesses, enabling the selective creation of skilled job centres that generate economic value and mobilise the capacity for industrial production. It also requires access to sophisticated markets in Europe and the world, which is a well-known endeavour at ISQ, which has been performing an exemplary role in the internationalisation of the technological capability of Portugal and the Portuguese.

ISQhasbeenintensifyingitsactivityinareassuchasaeronauticsandaerospace.Howdoyouseetheseareasintermsoffuturedevelopment?These are absolutely critical areas in any modern society and economy that need to be promoted and encouraged in Portugal, especially in a context of growing technological change, together with the emergence of technological niches in these sectors, which can be addressed today by countries without a strong, diversified industrial base. We need, therefore, to invest in these niches where we can gain comparative advantages internationally. So, it’s imperative to promote skilled employment, that generates economic value and mobilises the capacity for industrial production.

O N T EC H N O LO G I C A L FAC I L I T I E S


AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE ISQ IN THE AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE SECTOR

ISQ IN THE AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE SECTOR

At ISQ today, it is not unusual to come across different ongoing works for the aeronautics and aerospace sector. These kinds of activities have aroused the interest of the Portuguese media in ISQ. In a book published in the current year by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation, entitled “Portugal e o Espaço” (Portugal and Space), ISQ is mentioned in some detail in this field. This is the result of a work spanning several years by a diversified and highly qualified team in areas of high technological and organisational complexity which earned ISQ a name and success in the sector, both within and outside Portugal.

© Embraer


The activities in the field of aeronautics and aerospace started at the beginning of the century and

have grown in a sustainable manner, gaining visibility both within and outside ISQ. In the past year alone, a number of projects involving ISQ have had wide internal and external prominence, notably:•The successful launch and recovery

of the IXV space vehicle, and the completion of the first Life Cycle Assessment project, both with the European Space Agency (ESA) as the final client;

•The start of the development tests onthe Embraer half-wing;

•Theparticipation in theconstructionofthe world’s largest optical telescope, the E-ELT (European Extremely Large Telescope) for ESO (European Southern Observatory).

But the activity in this sector is not limited to the most talked about events. Along-side, there are many other works under-way for the different segments of this sec-tor, be they:

•Industrialaeronauticalproduction;•Airtransportation;•Aircraftmaintenanceandrepair;•Airportconstructionandoperation;•Spacetransportation;•Technology development for nearly all

these subsectors.

Virtually all departments within ISQ have developed activities for at least one of these subsectors. Many ISQ personnel have already performed work in the aero-nautics and aerospace sector. As for cli-ents, in turn, a significant part are either foreign or belong to international supply chains.Most importantly, the whole sector is rapidly expanding. In the current global economic landscape, this is one of the sectors whose growth prospects remain strong.

HOW IT ALL STARTEDWe’ll try to tell the story of the road travelled so far. The story begins with two almost simultaneous events: The contract secured by ISQ for the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Portugal’s accession to ESA. The former demonstrated that ISQ is capable of occupying with merit a position in international arenas of a very high technical and organisational level of demand; the latter paved the way for the space industry and from here to other sectors with obvious synergies.Soon after, a protocol was signed for the joint development of activities in the energy and environment sectors between NASA and the Portuguese organisation C3P, of which ISQ is the Portuguese technical partner. At the same time, the initial R&D projects began with national and international partners in air transportation and navigation. ISQ was then already providing services in domestic airports and to aircraft maintenance and repair companies. In 2003, thanks to a partnership with the French APAVE, ISQ began to provide QA/QC services to the European Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana. Rodrigo Cunha was the first ISQ employee to travel to the CSG, where we remained for three years, paving the way for all the other jobs that followed. We witnessed the launch of Ariane 5, carrying the Rosetta mission, which became known all over the world ten years later. Many colleagues who subsequently went to the CSG had previously passed through CERN where they grew accustomed to a working method and environment which shared many aspects with their later experience. Some of them, after leaving the CSG, embarked on projects with similar levels of demand, such as ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and the Petroleum Institute.

PAULO ALEXANDRE CHAVES KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE MARKET



VegaThe smallest of the European launcher family used for the IXV mission.

IXV VehiclePreparation for testing

Two years later, ISQ began its work for ESA in technology development activities. We began with a number of minor jobs providing services for technology development in the areas of materials, inspection and testing, and metrology for ESTEC, ESA’s centre in the Netherlands where all its material development and flight systems and hardware activities are brought together. This work is based on a service provision agreement for technology development activities. It also meant a first step in learning about ESA’s technology management and development process. Around this time, the Portuguese government decided to extend its collaboration with ESA to the optional programme designed to develop future spacecraft, the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme. This decision opened the doors for Portuguese businesses and academia into the great European integrators who were developing the spacecraft of the future.

HOW IT ALL GAINED MOMENTUM FROM 2008In 2008, we established the initial contacts with Thales Alenia Space (TAS). This resulted in the participation of ISQ in a development project for a metal thermal shield. An important component of our participation in this project implied high vacuum and high temperature testing, and the simultaneous use of mechanical actuators. Together with Aralab and our Aerospace and Thermodynamic Testing Laboratory (LABET), we developed a vacuum chamber capable of successfully performing this work for TAS.Over this period, we also established the initial contacts with Snecma Propulsion Solide, meanwhile renamed Herakles (SAFRAN Group), with which we set up a partnership to develop thermal protection technologies for the IXV vehicle. Once again, this was a model of service provision for technology development, used in all instances described hereafter, except in R&D projects.This marked the beginning of the high profile and extremely successful project which would become the longest in this sector.

It was still necessary to develop a great deal of technology and make the vehicle which would only fly much later, in 2015.We began by focusing on the same kind of work we had undertaken a few months earlier for TAS, i.e. determining the thermodynamic properties of materials and testing in the vacuum chamber at our LABET. However, this work had to be suspended due to a fire in 2010, which completely destroyed the ISQ Castelo Branco facilities.This was a very difficult time, because we not only had to make up for lost time, but also to retain our clients’ trust in our ability to achieve the goals we had set out to achieve, and to keep to the deadlines and budgets.Fortunately, we succeeded in maintaining this trust and obtain quality results. This was helped by the fact that we had, at the same time, another testing campaign underway at our Oeiras facilities, also for the IXV.At Oeiras, we were also doing something very similar to what we had previously done for TAS: mechanical tests, some of them at high temperature, on screws and small metal parts. From here we proceeded to integrate these small parts into composite material panels, manufactured by our client, and went on to perform tests to characterise these sets dynamically, using the shakers of our Electrical


Equipment Testing Laboratory (LABEL) at Oeiras. This was work with entirely new characteristics for ISQ. There were sensor gluing tasks onto the composite material and the use of various triaxial accelerometers for data acquisition. This time we worked in partnership with IDMEC-IST. Despite the vicissitudes and all the innovations introduced, all these campaigns undertaken in Castelo Branco and Oeiras were a success.Alongside these works, we have also been growing in Portugal and at the CSG (French Guiana). In Portugal, we undertook an initial project with Optimal Structural Solutions for the development of composite materials for aeronautics, which was followed by several joint R&D projects. We started performing acceptance dynamic tests for magnetometers manufactured by the Portuguese company Lusospace, and have also secured an ESA project, in a consortium with IPFN–IST, for building a shock tube in Portugal to simulate planetary re-entries. As early as 2009, we had a permanent team at the European Space Centre.At that time, we had undertaken or were undertaking various R&D projects in this sector. These included TRACE-IT, ASHLEY, FATIGUE TEST, AEROInspect, FRIENDCOPTER, AROSATEC and SIRBLADE.Meanwhile, we were once again challenged by TAS for a rather more ambitious job. This time, the development of a new exterior panel for the upper stage of the Ariane 5 launcher was on the table. In this project, we began by validating the physical characteristics of different materials and by performing mechanical tests on small parts, then we went on to more complex parts, which included various components, and finally performed qualifying dynamic tests for a complete panel. The possibility of performing dynamic tests on a large-scale panel accelerated the decision to strengthen the capacity of ISQ to conduct dynamic tests, including the reinforcement of shakers.

NEW AREAS, NEW SERVICES SINCE 2011During 2011, ISQ began to provide services to the Embraer factories in Évora. At that time, the factories were still under construction and we began by providing industrial security services, expanding later to various areas, from chemical, material and metrology labs to training, machine directive, hoisting equipment, industrial maintenance, etc.In the same year, ISQ was invited by Embraer, in competition with two other Portuguese organisations, to submit a proposal for an ambitious technological development testing programme for a wing made out of composite materials. This project was awarded to ISQ, involving six in-house areas, together with an external partner, Optimal Structural Solutions, mentioned earlier. ISQ had to complement existing resources with new investment in a facility for structural tests, financed with regional support funds, which was set up at ISQ premises in Castelo Branco.

In 2012, ISQ joined the Board of the Portuguese Aerospace Industry Association - PEMAS. In the ensuing years, the Association endeavoured to meet the needs of its associates, managed to bring together the associations for Aeronautics, Aerospace and Defence, which resulted in the creation of the AED Federation, grouping the three associations in a shared physical space, and promoted joint, stimulating projects for the industry within a bottom-up logic.In 2014, we secured a contract with ESA to conduct the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for various materials and processes for the space industry, in partnership with a Norwegian company. We worked on various surface treatments, welding, tooling, production of fuel tanks, composite materials, fibre glass, etc. This work went very smoothly, and the partnership with the Norwegians was strengthened to secure a second LCA contract for ESA, this time for propellants used in space transportation. In the same year, we started another contract, also for ESA, aiming at finding alternatives to hexavalent chromium in alloys and materials for aerospace use.Still in 2014, the Portuguese authorities demonstrated that they valued the work of ISQ in this sector and invited us to take on two positions as representatives of the Portuguese State in the European Union: H2020 National Delegate to the Transport Programme for aeronautics and H2020 National Delegate to the Space Programme.

IXV Vehicleprepared for installation in the Vega launcher



For its association with ISQ, this

sector brings its clients, partners,

competitors, employees and

the public at large the perception

of an innovative organisation, with

personnel qualified in areas of high technological complexity.

T he aerospace sector, in its multiple strands, maintains strong growth prospects. In the field of aeronautics, never like today have so

many aeroplanes been commissioned and built. The amount of passengers transported continues to grow at an average rate close to 5%. The traffic of passengers and cargo in airports, and the number of airports for civilian use continue their steady growth all over the planet. Waiting queues to access maintenance and repair services are also on the rise.In terms of the aerospace industry, we are witnessing a real revolution with the arrival of various private operators designing, manufacturing and operating launching systems with substantially lower space access costs and the mass production of satellites, driven by massive commissions, such as that made by OneWeb to Airbus, in 2015, for nearly 700 units.In Europe, this sector is also undergoing deep changes with the merger of some of the major industrial integrators and the start-up of the development of a new launcher, Ariane 6, whose development cost will be around 6,500 M€. The demand for the transport of satellites into orbit has also seen a substantial rise. In 2015, twelve launches were made from the European Space Centre of three different systems. At the end of the century’s first decade, it became the norm to make six launches a year of a single system. Arianespace, responsible for European commercial launches, today has the largest ever order backlog, amounting to 5,300 M€.From a business perspective, the aerospace sector brings ISQ further internationalisation in a high-tech sector, with above-average margins and strong growth prospects; market pull in technological and organisational terms to keep abreast of the new challenges we are being set; potential for cross technology and service development to boost other areas at ISQ.

From an image perspective, this sector is perceived as a symbol of technological progress, industrial capability, exporting potential, as well as a factor for the economic development of developed societies. For its association with ISQ, this sector brings its clients, partners, competitors, employees and the public at large the perception of an innovative organisation, with personnel qualified in areas of high technological and organisational complexity, which integrates global and stringent industrial supply chains.From an institutional perspective, it brings higher recognition and visibility to ISQ with Portuguese and European decision-makers. For all these reasons, this is a sector on which ISQ will undoubtedly continue to focus.

T H E F U T U R ELO O K I N G U P WA R D S


AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE 3, 2, 1... TAKEOFF CONFIRMED

3, 2, 1 TAKEOFF CONFIRMED

Twas thus it spoke, “O rasher, bolder race Than all those daring deeds have tempted fate, Thou, whom no labours tame Nor war’s fell stroke, nor rest wilt grant on human toils to wait: Since these forbidden bounds by thee are broke who durst my Virgin Seas to violate, Which long I guarded, where I ne’er allow plowing to foreign or to native prow.”

(Camões, 1572)

Five centuries separate these two events, but the spirit, the tenacity and the courage is the same, it means that

we do not settle for our corner of comfort, it is a challenge to open up new horizons, it is the will to overcome new challenges, it is the determination to fashion by our own hand the future of our present, it is the desire not to be just another grain of sand washed away by the waves of time, which led us to make our presence known both in the air and the space.

The world today is much more than the chaos, the tragedies and the calamities depicted by the media on a daily basis; on the contrary, it is a world brimming with new opportunities. It is up to us to choose to let ourselves be submerged by the constant waves of opportunities that wash by us or to ride their crest. The latter was the choice made by LABET - Aerospace and Thermodynamic Testing Laboratory of ISQ.

IXV launch11 February 2015


At the time, ESA (European Space Agency) was developing its IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle) programme, the prototype of a space shuttle to make an initial flight to collect data and test new materials, resistant to the extremely adverse conditions of re-entry into the atmosphere. Were we knowledgeable and experienced in this area? We were not, but we had experience in testing and mastered the universal languages of engineering: mathematics and physics. We also knew that this challenge would be our best opportunity to internationalise our aerospace activity and thus take a qualitative and quantitative leap which our market would not allow.Therefore, after conducting a summary study of the investments needed, and their availability in view of future business opportunities, we began to implement them. We were careful to try and develop, whenever possible, all the activities internally, including those related to data control and acquisition, so that it was possible to configure independently, at any time, the equipment for our clients’ future specific needs.

KEY INVESTMENTSWe purchased a 10-6 mbar high vacuum double body chamber to enable external heating or cooling, equipped with various access flanges for future instrumentation needs, passage of electric power and cryogenic tubing. Vacuum tests under temperatures from -150°C to +1200°C have already been conducted in this chamber, as well as the determination of specific vacuum heat and extreme temperatures of various materials used in the aerospace industry.

The existence of this multipurpose vacuum chamber and its easy move and adjustment to customised tests made it a highly sought-after piece of equipment, particularly on the international market, and led to a growing domestic market for new components, not just for the aerospace industry, but also for other sectors of new material and technological development, enabling tests to be performed at lower costs and without the need to travel to foreign labs.At the time, a shaker with a horizontal table was also acquired, as was a guided vertical expander with maximum power of about 290Kw, equipped with an LMS data acquisition system (standard for the aerospace industry), which enables, in addition to conventional Seno and Random tests, Operational Modal Analysis tests to be performed for fine-tuning mathematical design models. This shaker was also equipped with a climatic chamber for vibration tests with temperature control between -40°C and +150°C.We performed the Operational Modal Analysis tests for various thermal protection panels in this shaker, as well as the IXV nose, to determine the natural specific frequencies and their respective modal forms. In this modal analysis, we determined the first natural frequency was within the 60Hz range, which coincided with the frequency of the Vega launcher itself.The Italian project team was immediately alerted to this coincidence which would have negative consequences for the IXV launch.

Therefore, by changing the compaction of the insulating silicon fibres, it was possible to modify the rigidity of this “IXV nose”, making its first resonance module move away from the critical 60 Hz range.In addition to aerospace tests, e.g. those performed on the new panels of the cryogenic tanks of the new Ariane (CUST – Cryogenic Upper Stage Tanks) and the new carbon fibre exhaust nozzles for satellites and craft, many other tests have been performed in this shaker, both for international and domestic industries (automotive, components for satellites, electrical equipment, certification of aircraft components for the Air Force, military equipment, cold production units, among others), which now have easy access to one of the largest shakers in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe.


Fitting of IXV noseto the shaker

Determination of specific vacuum heat and extreme temperatures


Also under the IXV pro-gramme, the need for traction tests arose for stand-offs, insulating panel fasteners to the craft outer body. But, once again, this test required tempera-tures varying from room temperature to 1000ºC. For this purpose a specific customised system was entirely designed and de-veloped at LABET. It was also necessary to develop a whole system to enable the study of gas migration and measurement of permeability inside the IXV insulating panels in order to ensure their integrity during the rapid depression caused by the quick climb of the launcher.Under the IXV certification programme, it was LABET’s responsibility to perform the thermal tests for re-entry into the atmos-phere on the “nose” and the insulating panels of the craft’s lower belly. To this end, a second specific design was made at LABET, a muffle capable of reaching 1200°C and temperature increase ramps, identical to the temperatures expected during re-entry. This test and its moni-toring enabled the expected behaviour to be analysed in terms of temperature distribution, both inside the re-entry pro-tection panels and on the interface of the craft’s external surface insulation, during and after this wide transient regime during re-entry.

“This was a short assignment with great impact”, said

Gaele Winters, ESA’s Launch Director, at the

time. It is thus that, on 11 February 2015, after a short,

but very important and success-ful mission, Portugal stands on an equal footing alongside its European partners in breaking new ground.

EMPOWERING TO ALSO RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGES OF AERONAUTICSBut the dream has not stopped here. Thanks to the experience gained by ISQ and the success achieved in this kind of test, a new, important door began to open. The aeronautical sector also start-ed to look on us as a partner for testing aeronautical components. And the chal-lenge came from an aeronautical manu-facturer in one of the sector’s world giants, Embraer.We were set a fresh challenge: To design and build a customised laboratory for testing aeronautical structures, capable of conducting static and fatigue tests on large aircraft components, as well as developing a whole new specific testing programme and sequence for this area. Following technical visits to Embraer and other aeronautical testing labs, we concluded that the most advanced systems, used by the main manufacturers, are the MTS hydraulics control systems and the HBM data acquisition system, so ISQ opted for these.

TELMO NOBRE TECHNICAL MANAGER THERMODYNAMIC AND AEROSPACE TESTING LAB

Traction testson stand-off

CUSTModal analysis and forms


-

-


MTS and HBM SystemsControl Room

At the same time, a structured floor was designed and built, as was the remaining infrastructure needed in a lab of this kind. Simultaneously, LABET, together with other ISQ labs and teams and in partnership with Embraer’s engineers, began to develop the project and the infrastructure required for the particular test we were going to perform: testing a half-wing in composite material. Just over a year later, the lab, endowed with the MTS hydraulics system and the HBM data acquisition system, was accredited to AS/EN 9100 standard, and audited and approved by Embraer.

At the same time, the design of the supporting RIGs for the test article was complemented and the building of these welded metal structures began. Despite its size and weight, the design accuracy and the quality of the welds with full penetration to ensure the perfect positioning of the test article and a resistance to fatigue tests (several million cycles) required full monitoring during the construction stage by ISQ welding and 100% ultrasound control specialists.

In mid 2015, everything was finally ready for the tests to the half-wing to start. Surrounded by a team of engineers from Embraer Compósitos in Évora and Embraer S.A. in Brazil, who had designed and built this half-wing, and by another team from the testing department of Embraer S.A., Brazil, the long-awaited and most critical time had come. Never had the pressing of an Enter key been so harrowing...

Interior of the IXV panel insulationsSystem for the study of gas migration and measurement of permeability

Half-wingTesting set-up

Fitting of the half-wingto the testing RIG


KC 390 LiftTesting set-up

A completely new test, never done before in Portugal, operated by a complex hydraulics control programme, where thousands of variables were introduced, from PID configuration (feedback control loop Proportional Integral Derivate), all the loads that made up the various flights, the flight combinations and the calibration data of all parameters, together with the prediction and definition of all alarm and/or shutdown thresholds, in the event of an anomaly, all this, despite many, repeated validations by the whole LABET testing team, always left a question hanging when it came to pressing Enter. Has anything failed or is anything missing? Any fault could simply destroy the test article, a unique, priceless piece, and the whole ISQ investment and credibility would be ruined then.However, confident in the excellent team and the professionalism demonstrated over time, in so many new, non-standard tests successfully performed, certain that in this case we had not given Murphy’s Law any leeway, Enter was pressed... And everything went smoothly!

The static tests were very successful,

with no programming faults in the entire

MTS hydraulics control or HBM data acquisition

control systems. Once again, LABET had successfully

achieved its goal, and ISQ once again lived up to its long tradition of honouring its commitments and overcoming the technical challenges set by its clients, turning what seemed impossible and a mere dream into a new palpable reality on which our future will continue to build.

AND SPEAKING ABOUT THE FUTURE...Speaking about the future, a new and promising opportunity has been seized through a collaboration protocol between two major Portuguese engineering institutions, ISQ and CEIIA (Centre of Excellence and Innovation in the Automotive Industry).As an initial practical result of this partnership, thanks to the experience acquired with the half-wing test, ISQ began to perform the qualification tests

for some components, designed and developed for the new Embraer KC 390 military transport airplane. Shock and static limit tests have already been successfully performed on the elevator of this aircraft, with fatigue and Load Bearing traction tests now being underway on various representative test specimens of this model.Therefore, by combining complementary knowledge, joining forces, working as a team and believing in ourselves, we managed to position Portugal in its well-deserved place in history, as the poet justly sings…

“Cease the sage Grecian, and the Man of Troy to vaunt long Voyage made in bygone day: Cease Alexander, Trajan cease to ‘joy the fame of vict’ories that have pass’d away; The noble Lusian’s stouter breast sing I, whom Mars and Neptune dared not disobey: Cease all that antique Muse hath sung, for now A better brav’ry rears its bolder brow.”

Lusíadas (Luís de Camões)

KC 390military

transport airplane


AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR IN THE ISQ GROUP

AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACESECTOR DEVELOPMENTS AT THE ISQ GROUP

2000Inspection and quality control for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the new Linear Particle Accelerator at CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research).

2001Study for the correction of structural anomalies at hangar 6 of TAP Portugal.

2002Collaboration started with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in the field of environmental pollution, following a protocol signed with the Portuguese Ministry of Environment and the Centre for the Prevention of Pollution (C3P).

2003Participation started in the European Space Centre - presence at Kourou (French Guiana) – in the context of technical inspections and risk assessments for the Ariane 5 launching systems.

2004Collaboration started in various projects with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC).

Full management of the laboratory of OGMA – Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal, for physical and chemical tests (up to 2009).

Risk assessment on ramps at Lisbon Airport.

2005Collaboration with NASA in the field of lead- and hexavalent chromium-free electronic soldering.

Collaboration started with OGMA for chemical analyses and environmental control.

2006Collaboration with ESA in assessing new hexavalent chromium-free coatings.

Start-up of the first Research & Development project for technology development and services with the industrial integrator Thales Alenia Space (TAS).

Upsizing of the ISQ Group team at the European Space Centre in Kourou.

2008Completion of the first complex testing campaign with TAS.

2009Start of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) project, ESA’s re-entry vehicle.

Start of the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUST) project with the development of a new lining panel for the orbital stage of a European launcher.

ISQ is a member of the National Aerospace Committee for Non-Destructive Tests (CANEND). Professional risk assessment for maintenance operators at Lisbon Airport.


2010Provision of services started for Embraer in Évora.

Service provision in accident prevention for Embraer.

2011Opening of the new ISQ Structural Testing Centre for Aeronautics and Aerospace in Castelo Branco to meet the requirements of the aerospace industry in the development stage in the field of prototype qualification, environmental simulation and accelerated ageing.

2012Start of the structures test development project for Embraer, with a view to deepening knowledge on the mechanical behaviour of composite materials in aerostructures.

ISQ is a member of the Board of the Portuguese Aerospace Industry Association (PEMAS).

2013Preparation, updating and review of ANA’s self-protection measures for Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Beja, Azores, Madeira and Porto Santo airports, in relation to fire safety in buildings.

2014Creation of the AeroCluster Portugal Consortium: cooperation agreement for the coordination of joint actions for the European research programmes Clean Sky 2 (CS2) and Horizon 2020 (H2020).

Extension of TAP Portugal’s Hangar 6 with structural inspection of the main gate system.

Completion of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) Project - ESA’s re-entry vehicle.

Contract with ESA for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of materials and processes for the aerospace industry. New LCA for propellants used in space transportation.

Design for Embraer of structures for static and fatigue tests on the half-wing in composite materials.

2015Arrival of the Embraer wing at the ISQ Structural Testing Centre for Aeronautics and Aerospace in Castelo Branco.

Launch of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV), ESA’s re-entry vehicle.

Participation started, as a project partner, in the European Clean Sky 2 programme – start of the AIRMES project with TAP Portugal in the field of aeronautical maintenance.

2016Participation started in the land-based optical telescope European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) – management and quality assurance in the construction of infrastructure, technical inspections and engineering.

New project with the European Space Agency (ESA) to find alternatives to hexavalent chromium in alloys and materials for aerospace use.

Preparation, updating and review of self-protection measures for Groundforce Portugal, at Lisbon, Porto, Funchal and Porto Santo airports, in relation to fire safety in buildings.


NEW PRIDE SPACECRAFT WILL RELY ON ISQ TESTING

TESTIMONIAL NEW PRIDE SPACECRAFT WILL RELY ON ISQ TESTING

Competence, dedication, creativity or focus on results are qualities recognised to the ISQ team by

Giorgio Tumino, responsible for the IXV Programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). A set of qualities that, together with its strong technological capacity, led ISQ to participate in the various tests that the new PRIDE spacecraft (Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe) will require in the short term.

What is the importance of IXV to Europe and how would it contribute to Europe’s affirmation in this sector?Europe is now recognised in the space community as one of the most successful space actors. Over the last decades, Europe demonstrated a flawless know-how in launching in space any type of missions with the Ariane and Vega launchers family, in operating in orbit any kind of spacecraft, in performing complex space operations, such as docking the Automated Transfer Vehicle – ATV) to the International Space Station, in achieving deep space operations as evidenced through the complex Rosetta and Philae missions.However, unlike the Americans, Russians and Chinese, there was one remaining field of space activities that Europe did not master in the past, and this was the capability to safely return objects from space through the atmosphere down to Earth. Such capability is a cornerstone for a wide scope of space applications ranging from planetary exploration, sample return missions, future launchers, spacecraft, crew and cargo transportation, unmanned space vehicles for on-orbit satellite servicing, and several other innovative applications in the field of space and aeronautics. The IXV mission definition,

development and implementation provided Europe with the capability to return from Space to Earth. The IXV mission success on 11 February 2015 enabled various systems and technologies to be pioneered, including a full re-entry from orbital speeds with an un-winged lifting-body system with extraordinary performances as compared to alternative capsules like the Russian Soyuz or the American Space Shuttle, with in-flight qualification of critical atmospheric re-entry technologies such as large advanced reusable ceramic matrix composites and hot structures whose ground qualification included the facilities and tests carried out at the ISQ Material and Thermodynamic and Aeronautical Labs.

How do you evaluate the participation of ISQ in this programme and which are the main advantages?The ISQ Material and Thermodynamic and Aeronautical Labs provided an extremely valuable support to the IXV mission for the characterisation and performance evaluation of all the advanced materials, in particular the reinforced ceramic matrix composites which were part of the vehicle reusable thermal protection system, as well as the design and performance of critical development and qualification testing.The work of ISQ was of the utmost importance for the successful completion of the IXV development and qualification programme, in particular since the test articles and conditions were quite unique, requiring competence, talent and creativity to tailor test equipment and execute very complex tests with ad-hoc test procedures.I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole ISQ team involved in the IXV development and qualification programme for the outstanding

experience, dedication and commitment to results shown during the testing activities. The ISQ team was able to cope with any unforeseen event, fully meeting the specific needs of the programme.

How do you see the partnership between ESA and ISQ?The cooperation with ISQ will certainly continue in the near future. The ISQ team already involved in the IXV development and qualification programme is considered a very important partner for the future. More specifically, the IXV follow-on programme named PRIDE is just started, building on the system and technological know-how acquired through the IXV mission experience, developing a reusable spacecraft capable to go to orbit, operate payloads in orbit, and safely return to Earth with high ground landing accuracy, most probably in Santa Maria in the Azores, to be reused for multiple missions.Therefore, since reusability will be one of the most critical aspects to be demonstrated through this development, the involvement of the ISQ team’s expertise in the testing and analysis stage for advanced reusable thermal protection materials will be a must in the implementation of the development and qualification programme. More precisely, the involvement of ISQ may be envisaged in the short term for all materials and structures characterisation tests, fatigue testing, thermal testing within the development and qualification programme for all the advanced materials for thermal protection and hot structures of the new PRIDE spacecraft.

Giorgio TuminoIXV, Vega and PRIDE Programmes ManagerESA’s Directorate of Launchers


ESQS RepresentativesInternational Meeting, April 2016, ISQ

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE TOWARDS ARIANE 6

ISQ is a member of ESQS (Europe Spatial Qualité Securité), an industrial grouping of European companies which

provides services to the aerospace sector in the areas of Quality, Reliability, Safety and Environment. According to Patrick Pélissié, Operations Director in French Guiana, the ISQ team, with its excellent performance, will continue to participate in the coming challenges: Ariane 6.

What is the ESQS and what activities does it undertake in the aerospace sector?It is a consortium, an economic interest grouping (EIG), created in 1996 in French Guiana to provide services to the aerospace industry in the fields of Quality, Reliability, Safety, Environment and Regulatory Control. It brings together the competencies of nine European companies: Apave (France), Apave Italy (Italy), GTD Ingeneria de Systemas lá Software (Spain), Heracles (France), ISDEFE (Spain), ISQ (Portugal), ROVSING A/S (Denmark), TÜV Industrie Service GmbH (Germany) and Vitrociset (Italy).This EIG was created with the European partners to meet the quality and investment requirements of the European Space Agency (ESA), having a structure capable of leveraging the skills and specialisms of the various partners through a centralised and structured organisation. It was mandatory that the consortium only included European companies and we selected the best. We have a solid, sustainable consortium with an outstanding reputation.The headquarters of the ESQS EIG are lo-cated in Kourou, French Guiana, and all its

activities are undertaken at the space base by approximately one hundred specialists. The number of permanent specialists va-ries according to operational cycles and the number of active launch pads. Initially there was only Ariane 4 and then, simulta-neously, Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega.Currently, at Kourou, three launch pads are operational (Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega), and launches are marketed by Arianespace. Our ESQS EIG is providing industrial services at the three launch pads in the areas mentioned above.

How do you evaluate the ISQ partnership?ISQ has an excellent performance, is fully integrated into the ESQS consortium team, operating at the three launch pads, and currently undertakes activities in the areas of Quality, Reliability, Safety and Environment. All the partners’ experts pull in the same direction. The ESQS team is a large, united team, fully integrated in even larger teams of Arianespace and the European Space Centre in French Guiana (CNES).

Quality Assurance and the Environment are great challenges for aeronautics. How important is the work of the ESQS EIG in this field?In terms of Quality, we provide two kinds of services: one for Arianespace and another for CNES. For Arianespace, we provide operational services (on-board quality and ground quality) for the Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launching systems. For CNES, we provide Quality services for all ground means which contribute to launches: cargo preparation, telecommunications, telemetry, tests and trials, meteorology and energy, among others.For both Arianespace and CNES, we pro-vide management, environmental, goods

and people protection services for all existing launching systems. In the case of CNES, these services also cover satellite preparation activities, such as chemi-cal tests and trials whenever Ariane 5 is launched, as well as regulatory controls.

What is your greatest challenge for the future?I spent 20 years in French Guiana, from 1983 to 2013.When I first arrived, we were four or five, now we’re 150. There was one launch pad only, with no commercial flights; now there are three launch pads and various commercial flights. The greatest challenge is this diversity, with ever growing demands.Ariane 6 will undoubtedly be the great new challenge.The project has started and, in due course, will replace Ariane 5. Ariane 6, which aims at reducing costs and performing better, is giving rise, within ESQS, to the need to have more versatile technicians and engineers who are able to work on the three pads simultaneously, with several integrated technical strengths.Together with this challenge, the EIG is faced with another: mastery of the French language, something missing in all the members and indeed throughout Europe. It is very difficult to find engineers and technicians specialising in these areas who have a reasonable mastery of French. There is always the need for specific training of a more technical nature to meet ESA’s needs, delivered on site, on the job, under a dual practical training scheme.

TESTIMONIAL EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE TOWARDS ARIANE 6


TESTIMONIAL A SPECIAL ADVENTURE AT THE FRENCH GUIANA SPACE CENTRE

A SPECIAL ADVENTURE AT THE FRENCH GUIANA SPACE CENTRE

We were in the Summer of 2006 when I joined the ISQ mission in the context of occupational safety,

in Kourou, in French Guiana, where the European Space Centre (CSG) is located and the most advanced of all rockets, Ariane 5. The European Space Centre is responsible for the launch of many of the satellites and devices orbiting the Earth and comprises many services, with a particular emphasis on telecommunications, image, the internet, military defence and, for a long time, the supply of the International Space Station (ISS) under an ESA ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) project in which I took part at the level of operational control and safety in the five units launched from Kourou.I confess that, initially, after I was deployed, I felt a mix of fear and personal curiosity, but also and mostly a measure of professional curiosity at being given this opportunity to collaborate in a project of this scale and all that it implies. Portugal, while an active participant as a Member-State of the European Space Agency (ESA), had not played any major role at the technical or especially operational levels in the processes connected with the actual launches, and this was instrumental for my participation to be regarded not just as a personal challenge, but rather a professional one, based on the entire know-how acquired throughout my years in the service of ISQ.

The adaptation to the local culture, the separation from my family, and the French technical jargon, quite specific to the aerospace industry, were difficulties that required absolute commitment, which was eventually rewarded when my stay was extended beyond the three years initially agreed.During this time, I had the opportunity to actively manage occupational safety and operational control, both from the BCS (Bureau de Coordination Sauvegard), from which risk activities shared by all areas are controlled and managed, such as the transport of hazardous materials, like hydrazines, used as fuel for the so-called payloads (satellites), and the unloading of the ships that carry part of the components that will be used in the different rockets.During these ten years, I also participated in the preparation of EPCU (Ensembles de Preparation Charge Utile) payloads as an integral part of the payload to be initially transported in Ariane 5 and, later, also in the Russian Soyuz rocket, as an intermediate solution for payload size, of which the first launch took place in October 2011 in Kourou.Last but not least, the Vega rocket, the smallest of the rockets, saw the light of day. It was a European project whose first launch took place in February 2012, complementing the “family” of European

rockets and providing solutions adapted to the needs of each client in terms of payload. Thus, the European Space Centre became a reference in terms of credibility and success based on rigour, quality and management, of which ISQ is an integral part.

José VicenteSite Safety Coordinator Safety and Operations

Coordination at CSG, as part of the ESQS consortium

Fregat Teamby the Russian Soyuz launch


Leader in advanced thermal protection systems for re-entry into the atmosphere and as a supplier

of thermostructural composites of high quality, the French group SAFRAN initiated a partnership with ISQ under ESA Intermediate eXperi- mental Vehicle (IXV Programme). This partnership, thanks to the strengths offered by ISQ, has been intensified, leading Tierry Pichon, the director of Herakles High Temperature Composite Programme Department, to envisage other opportunities for future cooperation.

What is the importance of the IXV programme for the activity of Herakles and how has it contributed to your corporate goals?Herakles has been involved in the development of Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) since the late 80s, when the development of the Hermes European spacecraft was launched. At that time, Herakles, then known as SEP was already entrusted with the design of the nose, hot structures, and windward Ceramic Matrix Composite TPS of the vehicle. After the cancellation of the Hermes programme, Herakles continued to develop TPS technology under the MSTP programme (Manned Space Transportation Programme) and the Generic Shingle programme funded by CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales – National Centre for Space Studies).

The IXV programme, which followed the French Pre-X programme once it became Europeanised, is therefore the accomplishment of several decades of activity in the field of thermal protection systems built from thermostructural (high temperature) composites. As such, the IXV programme was undeniably of vital importance to Herakles, as it not only enabled the company to show its ability to master cutting edge Ceramic Matrix Composite technology, but also constituted a European first through the in-flight demonstration of an advanced thermal Protection System. This demonstration strengthened Herakles’ position as a world-class provider of thermostructural composites and a leader in the field of advanced atmospheric re-entry thermal protection systems.

How do you evaluate, in general, the ISQ participation in this programme and what strengths has it brought on board?With its participation in the IXV programme, it was the first time that ISQ and Herakles collaborated together. The selection of ISQ was initially due to European geo-return constraints, but also to its available test facilities and quality assurance expertise. ISQ was a natural candidate as a partner for the TPS subsystem.Indeed ISQ proved to be valuable in this cooperation, providing flexibility and adaptability during a development phase that was subject to several adjustments, as a result of varying requirements. ISQ personnel were available at all times to provide answers to Herakles’s queries,

and in addition showed significant creativity and ingenuity in finding adapted solutions to the unavoidable problems that arose in the course of this challenging development.And last but not least, the activities that ISQ was entrusted with, were performed within a reasonably attractive budget.

In the medium term, how do you think the cooperation between ISQ and HKS will pan out? Which new challenges could be addressed together?Following the IXV programme, ISQ and Herakles have already cooperated again within a Technological research programme of the European Space Agency, as a direct result of Herakles’s satisfaction with the previous partnership. In the near future, post-flight activities related to the IXV re-entry should be performed, in which ISQ should also play a role, as part of the established IXV industrial team.Naturally, with the approval by ESA of the pre-development of PRIDE (Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe, successor of the IXV), at the last Space ministerial conference, needless to say that there will be more opportunities for cooperation with ISQ.

TESTIMONIAL SAFRAN

CHOICE OF A NATURAL WOULD-BE PARTNER

Tierry Pichon(second from the right)


TESTIMONIAL PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE LAUNCHER SCENARIOS

PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE LAUNCHER SCENARIOS

It was important for Thales Alenia Space Italy (TASI) to be connected to the CUST VTI (Cryogenic Upper

Stage Technologies – Versatile Thermal Insulation) programme. The activity under the CUST VTI programme focused on advanced re-ignitable cryogenic upper stage technologies required by the future launcher scenarios currently under consideration such as evolutions of the Ariane, the Vega launch systems and for the Next Generation Launcher. These technologies are not limited to a launcher system and can also be applied to exploration spacecraft, especially in cryogenic systems.All the tests foreseen in the current FLPP CUST programme have been successfully implemented and performed, which provided essential experimental data to consolidate the VTI technology for future use in launcher vehicles. As a general statement, all the VTI technology components survived the different tests (random and thermal) without significant damage.This means that all the components were able to fulfil their function up to the end of the test, thus demonstrating a high level of confidence in the possibility to develop a full scale VTI system based on this technology for future launchers. Most importantly, because the technology was specifically developed for a specific target application, the VTI panels were found in perfect condition after the series of tests.No sign of internal degradation of performances or of structural failure could

be detected by visual inspection or by thermography.This remarkable result was obtained also for the curved panels, which were tested in significantly more extreme random vibration conditions. All these results demonstrate the very high level of maturity reached for the VTI components, and gives full confidence as to its suitability for launcher applications.Additionally, a very good behaviour has been observed for the docking system. Both structural properties (as demonstrated through dynamic loads and thermo-mechanical stress) and thermal properties are well characterised, allowing good predictions in models. This component can then be considered as mature enough to be included in a potential future launcher development. Despite some improvement, the test results and the knowledge acquired can be used to propose modifications and other improvements that will have to be addressed before or during the next development phase.Finally, the seals, although they contributed to the successful completion of the different tests, are probably the components on which a particular effort will have to be made in order to ready them for an in-flight demonstration.

ISQ COOPERATIONThis experience will be very helpful for the successful completion of the forthcoming technology development activities that have been identified for the next phase thanks to all the companies involved in the project Cooperation with ISQ was very fruitful, in particular the additional activities performed to overcome the missing NDI (Non-destructive inspection) test, have demonstrated the reliability of the technology and the ISQ support in the test campaign was for each run quite stringent in terms of schedule and well organised to resolve the issues. The results and the associated thermographs, notifying about deviations from the expected results for ESA PRIDE technology was a goal that needed to be achieved to complete the test campaign within the CUST VTI programme timeline.The future cooperation between ISQ and TASI will depend mainly on the programmes that the next ESA Ministerial Conference in late 2016 will approve.

Adriano FerrareseResponsible for the VTI and ESA-FLPP

Programme at Thales Alenia Space Italy (TASI)

Mauro MontaboneResponsible for the Advanced Solutions,

Materials and Robotics Unit in Scientific and Applied Engineering


R&D AERONAUTICSAEROInspectDevelopment of an Integrated Non Destructive System for Inspection of components in aeronautical industry

AROSATECAutomated Repair and Overhaul System for Aero Turbine Engine Components

ASHLEYAvionics System Hosted on a distributed modular electronics Large scale demonstrator for multiple type of aircraft

FRIENDCOPTERIntegration of Technologies in Support of a Passenger and Environmentally Friendly Helicopter

FATIGUE TESTFatigue Test of integrated sensor CFRP panels

(projects funded by the European Commission and the national funding Programme QREN)

NATALSol-gel nanostructured pre-treatment for aluminum alloys used in aeronautics

AIRMESAirline Maintenance Operations implementation of an E2E Maintenance Service Architecture and its enablers

TATEMTechnologies and Techniques for New Maintenance Concepts

TRACE-ITAn Advanced Structural Integrity System for Air Transport Composites using NDT Evaluation and Damage Tolerance Methods

NANOSENSORESAuto-sensorial coating for mechanical impact on aeronautical structures


SERVICE QUALITY MAKES ISQ A COMPETITIVE PARTNER

Third largest worldwide manufacturer of commercial aircraft, also with a presence in the executive Aviation and defence and security market, Embraer is a company based in Brazil with more than 19 thousand employees and with clients in more than 60 countries. In 2012, Portugal was the country chosen for the implementation of two plants mainly due to its qualified human resources. With a differentiating position in the market, ISQ became an important partner to the Brazilian multinational company. The Chairman of Embraer Portugal, Paulo Marchioto, describes this solid relationship.

What were the reasons which led Embraer to build two plants in Portugal, and especially in Évora?From the strategic analysis performed a decade ago, Embraer identified very specific technological areas in our suppliers and found, in the European Union and especially in Portugal, conditions which allowed the setting up of two plants. Also, the city of Évora offers excellent conditions, from available qualified labour to quality of life.

Did ISQ contribute to the success of the activity of Embraer in Évora?ISQ started to work with Embraer in Évora during the construction phase of the two plants. This collaboration continued during the Installation of the equipment and the kick-off of the plant activity. It continues today in our daily production activity. To

date, we can say that ISQ has contributed to the success of Embraer in Évora.

Have ISQ laboratories a response capacity in terms of Embraer needs and demands?One of the reasons why ISQ has supported our operations in Évora relates to the range of services it offers and proposes when needed. We have used ISQ whenever our needs come across ISQ competitive proposals in comparison to other entities present in the market. ISQ is competitive in terms of budget and service quality in the current market.

What are the expectations for reinforcing the relationship between Embraer and ISQ in Évora?From our experience with the company and the results of the work developed until this day, Embraer sees, in ISQ, an organisation with relevant competences which may continue to be useful whenever our needs meet their competitive offer.

Paulo MarchiotoChairman of Embraer Portugal

TESTIMONIAL SERVICE QUALITY MAKES ISQ A COMPETITIVE PARTNER


Embraer MetalWings production line

Embraer CompositesSemi-automatic line for the assembly of horizontal stabilizers

IN CASTELO BRANCO, ISQ RESPONDS WITH TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTWhat where the reasons which led to the development and production of wings in Portugal?Embraer identifies the development and production of wings as a critical activity in its know-how generating process as an aeronautical integrator (OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturers). With wing parts or full wings produced in Évora, our objective as a centre of excellence is that both our companies in Portugal closely follow the global trends regarding this specific matter. It was in this context that the advisability study for the project arose and which involved the test performed by ISQ, in Castelo Branco, of a wing demonstrator in composite materials.

And has ISQ once again proven to be a good technological partner?With the objective of running a series of tests on a wing demonstrator only in composite materials, Embraer conducted an assessment of the skills available in Portugal. From the consultations made, ISQ seemed to gather the suitable conditions to perform it and it also has the experience within the market. Therefore, the project moved ahead.

In this field of technological development, what are your expectations regarding the future relationship between the two companies?Again, the facts which led to the cooperation we have today suggest that there might be more projects, with the identification of new specific opportunities in which, in a market as competitive as this, ISQ is a win-win partner.

Does Embraer intend to develop other projects in Portugal?Yes, in the first quarter of this year, we signed two new investment contracts with the Portuguese government which, among other projects, will enable high-rate production of large structures sets for a new Embraer family of commercial jets, the E-Jets E2. In total, we will invest more than 93 million Euros in Portugal.

© Embraer

© Embraer


TESTIMONIAL REPRESENTATIVENESS OF AED AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO STRENGTHENING COLLECTIVE EFFICIENCY

REPRESENTATIVENESS OF AED AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO STRENGTH-ENING COLLECTIVE EFFICIENCY

The changes felt in the aero spacial sector in Portugal over the last decade were considerable, causing

an important impact on national economy, while also changing the paradigm in the industrial sector. From a scenario where business was based on maintenance, repair and operation, Portugal evolved into a situation of becoming a global player in areas of development, engineering and manufacturing, offering solutions, complex sets and critical aircraft parts in the supply chain of producers of global end products (the “OEM”).This development often began from collaborative projects, as a way to add value to the national offer, allowing Portuguese companies to present themselves as aligned suppliers with competitive consolidated solutions in detriment of individual competences.The important recent investment of new companies in Portugal, such as Thales Alenia Space, Mecachrome, Lauak and of course Embraer, greatly contributed to a change in the national scenario, with integrated projects which promote engineering, industry and the supply chain in the country. The creation of Training Courses and Centres of Excellence and Engineering positions these commitment on a medium/long term plan, essential to Portugal. Like good examples of projects which arose from the “Embraer effect”, we have the semi-wing project, developed with ISQ, the participation in the KC-390 project or the LIFE projects (Crystal Cabin Award 2012), as well as the NewFACE, which gathers national consortiums, north to south.

In this context, PEMAS (Portuguese Aero Nautical Industry Association) played an essential role in the promotion of projects, cooperation and in the international promotion of the sector. Founded in 2006, PEMAS is an open network which represents and integrates the majority of the national aeronautical industry, and to which were joined the scientific and technological system, the teaching system and end users in a common vision for a strategic collaboration for the development of the sector and of the country, as well as the implementation of action lines, namely:

• Supporting the integration in nationaland international aeronautical supply networks;

• Promoting and generating innovativeaeronautical programmes with added value;

• Actively contributing to the definitionof public policies for the aeronautical industry and markets involved.

CREATION OF AEDThe several years of collaboration of PEMAS with its national Space and Defence counterparts (PROESPAÇO and DANOTEC) led to the creation of AED (Federation of Aeronautical, Space and Defence Associations), which widened this scenario to 68 companies and institutes. Today, these entities represent a universe of more than 18,500 highly qualified jobs, a turnover greater than 1.7 MM Euros and which exports more than 87% of its work.

The members of AED work in areas such as Structures and Materials and Production Technologies, Tools and Support Systems, On-board Systems and Electronics, Commercial Aviation and Cabin Interiors, but also in transversal areas such as Training, Certification and Testing (where ISQ has an essential role) for practically all of the major worldwide players.The dynamic created between the members of the associations allowed the streamlining of continuous work groups or ad hoc, were topics of common interest are discussed.In this context, more than 18 collabo-ration projects between the associates have already been developed, as well as collective and internationalisation effi-ciency projects. Among others, we have training and project accompaniment such as PAIC - a Off-set Programme project, successfully completed, or the promotion of the Portuguese participation in Clean Sky 2 through AeroCluster Portugal (www.aeroclusterportugal.pt) which resulted in the unique participation of 14 Portuguese companies in a project of this type.


NewFACE ProjectDevelopment of new aircraft concepts

Another essential aspect to be considered for these sectors is the definition of public policies. If, in the past, the lack of long-term strategic guidance did not allow for integrated national efforts, it is increasingly important that new public policies align the Portuguese Aeronautical, Space and Defence market with the characteristics of this market: long development cycles, barriers to the introduction of new products/services and the need for joint commercial effort of an efficient approach to OEMs and first line suppliers.The strategic identification of the competitive areas and the definition of the long-term support programmes focused on product development and on concrete results also contributed to boost the national situation. In this field, today, AED is well known as a point of contact with AICEP, IAPMEI, ANI, GPPQ, FCT or the Ministries of the respective areas.In addition to this, it may have an essential role in the interface of public policies with the industry.

For all this, the creation of AED Portugal is a natural step to reinforce the contribution of the collective efficiency initiatives. The increase in the critical mass and the openness of the scope means more representativeness and a greater number of cooperation projects. In technological terms, the various areas which are transversal to the three sectors will sustain the proliferation of technologies with double and triple use, besides boosting innovation. The creation of a wide network of collaboration, involving companies, interface entities and public decision-makers, generates value, not only for those directly involved but it also has an undeniable multiplying effect for the national economy.Internationally, we also highlight the active participation of AED in the promotion of cooperation networks, such as the participation of PEMAS in the co-founding of EACP (European Aerospace Cluster Partnership – 41 clusters from 14 countries) and the collaboration partnerships of AED with its counterparts in Spain, Germany, France or Brazil.The presence and regular contact with ASD Europe, ESA, EASA and European Programmes such as CARE, ACARE or EREA has now positioned AED partners as players from Portugal among the international community.A consequence of this work, and following the tender launched in June 2015 by the Ministry of the Economy is the recognition of the Framework Clusters National competitiveness, the

PEMAS, PROESPAÇO and DANOTEC associations joined forces to define the outlines of the AED Cluster: a figure which formalises the strategy of the three entities for this tender, the results of which will be announced soon.Lastly, it should be mentioned that the programme of AED activities for 2016 is well consolidated, including joint participation of different international missions and fairs, highlighting its presence at Farnborough 2016, from the 11th to the 17th of June. It is the seventh consecutive year that PEMAS/AED ensures the presence of Portuguese companies in large worldwide events in a long-term strategy for the promotion of the national sector in several events since 2004. In addition to the networking and promotion of products and services, the aggregated national presence undoubtedly contributes to an increase of international awareness of the value of the Portuguese Aeronautical Cluster.Also worth highlighting is the AED Portugal Seminar on the 20th and 21st of October, 2016. As it has been occurring for more than seven years, PEMAS/AED organises a big annual event with the objective of not only discussing topics of interest in the areas of Aeronautics, Space and Defence, but also to mainly bring companies from other countries to get to know the Portuguese reality, putting itself on the international map. Together with entities such as AICEP, the Portuguese-French Chambers of Commerce, in 2016, we expect to have the involvement of the Portuguese-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Embassy, among others. The holding of the annual EACP meeting with representatives from all participating countries is also expected, for the first time, in Lisbon.

The creation of a wide network of collaboration, involving companies, interface entities and public deci-sion-makers, generates value, not only for those directly involved but it also has an undeniable multiplying effect for the national economy.

José Rui MarcelinoChairman of PEMAS and AED


CLEAN SKY EUROPEAN PROGRAMME

Since 2002, the Programmes (FW) for Technological Research and Development and European Innovation has supported research and innovation activities in priority areas, including aeronautics. In the 7th FW (2007-2013), the European Commission and 12 founding members (Leading European Companies from the sector) started a common technological company, Clean Sky [1] (JTI – Joint Technological Initiative), according to a public-private partnership (PPP), with the objective of sustaining the competitiveness and leadership of the European aeronautical industry. Since then, the Clean Sky programme has increased its level of ambition leading to the creation of Clean Sky 2, now framed in the scope of Horizon 2020 (2014-2020).

T he plan of action of Clean Sky was designed according to the priorities of the European aeronautical

industry aiming to contribute to the objective of the long-term plans SRIA 2050 (Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda), proposed by the European

technological platform of the sector ACARE [2] (Advisory Council for Aviation Research in Europe). Clean Sky is aimed at the development of aeronautical technologies for the reduction on the environmental impact of pollutants, noise, consumption and gain efficiency.The Clean Sky programme (Clean Sky 1) began in the 7th Framework Programme and had a global budget of 1.600 M Euros, financed in equal parts by the European Commission and the European Industry. The €800M European funding were used, 50% by the 12 leaders, 25% by the 65 associated members (Core partners) and 25% (200 M Euros) by almost 500 European partners within the sector, selected through an open tender among SME’s, industry, research centres and universities. The leaders and associates contributed in-kind with 50%. The partners were financed between 50%, 75% or 100% of their fixed costs, depending on whether it was a large industry, SME or research centre, respectively.In Clean Sky 1, a total of 16 Portuguese entities (ANA, Edisoft, GMVIS Skysoft, NAV, TAP, Active Space Technologies, Critical Materials, Critical Software, Fibersensing, GLEXYZ, Optimal, Spin.Works, FFCUL, INEGI, ISQ and IT) participated as partners in 21 projects, having accumulated a return of approximately €3.6M [3].

EVOLUTION OF CLEAN SKY IN HORIZON 2020Horizon 2020 or H2020 (2014-2020) confirmed the strategic importance of the Clean Sky programme to the competitiveness of the European industry to create a new Clean Sky 2 with a reinforced budget of €4 000M, widening the base of founding members to 16, integrating the (general or small aviation) in the action plan and tripling the budget for partners (€600M).Clean Sky 2 increases the level of ambition and is structured (Fig. 1) around three demonstrators (IADP) for the technological integration of three platforms (rotorcraft, Large Passenger Aircraft and regional aircraft), three modules (ITD) for technological development (aerostructures, systems and engines) and three transversal modules (EcoDesign, Small Air Transport and Technology Evaluator).The PPP format is maintained, and now the European Commission is responsible for contributing with a funding of less than 50% (€1.755M) and members with the remaining in-kind.In the Clean Sky forecasts another 50 associate members (core partners) and 800 partners will join these 16 founding members, resulting in an initiative with a truly European scale.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CLEAN SKY EUROPEAN PROGRAMME


Figure 1Structure of Clean Sky 2 modules

EU Funding Decision1.755bn€

(1.716bn€ “net”) After running costs

Fast RotorcraftAgusta | Westland | Eurocopter

Large Passenger AircraftAirbus

Regional AircraftAlenia | Aermacchi

Airframe ITDDassault – EADS-CASA – Saab

Systems ITDThales – Liebherr

Engines ITDSafran – Rolls Royce – MTU

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Building on Clean Sky, going further into integration at full aircraft level and developing new technology streams for the next generations of aircraft

Clean Sky defines funding limits, 40% for founding members, 30% for core partners and 30% for partners. The funding rules for H2020 are simple and only define two levels, 70% and 100% of direct costs and a fixed percentage of 25% for overheads. Therefore, the activities of Innovation (IA – Innovation Actions) are 70% funded and the activities of Research (RIA – Research Innovation Actions) or coordination (CSA – Coordination and Support Actions) are funded at 100% regardless of the type of Entity [4].

NATIONAL SUPPORT TO CLEAN SKYWith only two years of implementation, Portuguese entities have shown a growing and clear ability to participate in a total of 13 Portuguese entities (TAP, Tekever, Active Space Technologies, ISQ, INEGI, Caetano Aeronautics, GMVIS Skysoft, Alma Design, Critical Materials, Edisoft, Optimal, CEIIA and Aertec) with a return of 9.2 M€ [5] resulted from the participation in six project, also managing to register four national entities on the restricted list of core partners.

The very positive evolution of the results obtained by the Portuguese entities in the last seven years mirrors the competitive-ness, maturity and technological skills of the national aeronautical sector while also opening good perspectives for the affir-mation of the Portugal aeronautic cluster internationally.The follow up of Clean Sky is ensured by the group of representatives of the State Members of the European Commission SRG (State Representative Group) and the Board of Clean Sky. In Portugal, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the National Innovation Agency (ANI) and the Office for the Promotion of the Framework Programme (GPPQ) gather to support the SRG. The SRG members advise the Board of Clean Sky, monitor the definition of the terms of reference for tenders, analyse the results and support transversal activities for all State Members.

JOÃO ROMANA AEROSPACE COORDINATOR AT NATIONAL INNOVATION AGENCY (ANI) AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN CLEAN SKY SRG

[1] Clean Skyhttp://www.gppq.fct.pt/_7pq/7pq.php?tema=UWA- RAYlhtTObvsG6RIHjHjAZhjuNAKh9xZqyybCWQ0g)[2] ACARE websitehttp://www.acare4europe.com[3] The sum of €3.6M of Clean Sky 1 national return represents 1.9% of the amount of open tenders and 0.5% of the total financing of Clean Sky 1.

[4] With the exception of non-profit entities, public or private, which are financed 100%, for any type of activity (RIA, IA or CSA).[5] The sum of €9.2M of Clean Sky 2 national return represents, in March 2016, 2.7% of the total funding of Clean Sky 2.


NEW PARADIGMS FOR THE INTEGRATED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENTISQ IN THE AIRMES PROJECT

The AIRMES project [1], a system of systems to reduce operational interruptions which result from technical faults in aircraft, is integrated in the European Clean Sky 2 (CS2) programme. It covers the optimisation of the various phases of the aeronautical maintenance operations and has a total budget of approximately 6 million euros, corresponding to a financing of 4.6 million euros. The project has the collaboration of a consortium of 12 partners from six European countries, and is led by the national operator TAP Portugal.

T he AIRMES project intends to develop technologies related to prognosis, applications for mobile

devices to support maintenance, and a collaborative environment for the sharing of information, for better communication between key players and the aeronautical maintenance value chain. The AIRMES project, together with the DEMETER [2] project, selected in the scope of the 1st Call for Proposals (CfP) of the CS2, integrates the Platform 3 - WP3.6 ADVANCE Workprogramme of the CS2 [3], which is a strategic topic in the demonstrating platform (IADP) Large Passenger Aircraft (LPA), led by Airbus.The ADVANCE platform covers topics such as the Definition and Improvement of Maintenance, Maintenance Based on Condition, Big Data, Configuration Management and Maintenance Execution. It is also important to highlight that AIRMES project is the project with the biggest participation in the various work packages of the ADVANCE Platform.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEW PARADIGMS FOR END-TO-END MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT – ISQ IN THE AIRMES PROJECT


ISQ participates in the AIRMES project activities for the development, integration and demonstration, in a real operating environment, of mobile applications which optimise the performance of maintenance operations, which are integrated in the area of Maintenance Execution. These improvements will be achieved through the integration of mobile solutions which allow the correct gathering and understanding of information which is relevant to maintenance tasks, which guide and support the maintenance technician throughout the inspection process and in the interventions in aircrafts. The development of a virtual reality prototype platform through the implementation of a 3D model and animation algorithms to assist the consultation of documents and maintenance procedures will be the main activities performed by ISQ, contributing also with its industrial maintenance background skills to the project in general.Systems which use virtual reality to assist in maintenance operations have already existed since 1970 with a number of applications, however, their application in the aerospace sector, namely in maintenance operations, is still at a very low level of maturity. In the coming years, an increase in solutions (software and hardware) is expected, which will allow the simulation, with a high level of reliability, the various stages of the maintenance cycle, maintenance, such as disassembly, repair, assembly, among others.

[1] AIRMESAirline Maintenance Operations implementation of an E2E Maintenance Service Architecture and its enablers Clean Sky 2 – Grant Agreement number: and its enablers Clean Sky 2 – Grant Agreement number: 681858.

[2] DEMETERDevelopment of E2E Maintenance architecture process and methods enabling a reliable and economic air transport system.

[3] CLEAN SKYwww.cleansky.eu

This type of system can be enhanced through the addition of 2D information related to the material and processes needed to conduct the maintenance operation, and can therefore provide a decision supporting system. Also, a decision support system based on virtual reality technology may also be used as a tool to support the training and assessment of technicians. This tools will also allow continuous troubleshooting during the training of technicians, allowing access to extremely important data, such as error statistics, execution times, work load forecasts and associated costs. With this data, it is also possible to obtain performance measurements for the technicians for future assessment.One of the main challenges in the application of this technology is related to the technical documents, as its updating and consultation are time-consuming tasks and subject to human error.The European project TATEM, in which ISQ also participated, in addition to having identified these facts, also estimated that between 15 to 20% of a technician’s time was dedicated to searching for relevant information needed for the performance of the maintenance tasks, and, at the end of the project, proposed the development of software focused on the maintenance process as a mitigation measure. Some of the errors identified result from the fact that information is provided in 2D format, not at all adjusted to the complex three dimensional reality of maintenance activities. Therefore, the presentation of the problem and of its solution in 3D facilitates its perception and the understanding of the options of intervention.The development of this type of software also has limitations which AIRMES pro-ject will cover and overcome. Examples of these limitations are the incompatibilities of pre-existing documents, lack of supply of contextualised documents, more de-manding requirements face to the level of information and lack of operational val-idation. On the other hand, the introduc-tion of new technologies and procedures which are unusual to the normal mainte-nance lines operation may create some expectation on technicians.

MARGARIDA PINTOHEAD OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT UNIT

NELSON MATOSR&D RESEARCHER

PEDRO GAMITOR&D RESEARCHER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR


RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEW PARADIGMS FOR END-TO-END MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT – ISQ IN THE AIRMES PROJECT

The gathering of truly contextualised documentation, this is, to have available reliable information, correctly dimensioned in time and space (right time an place) for the end-user (maintenance technician), is one of the objectives of ISQ in AIRMES project. To reach this, ISQ will make use of information technologies, namely architectures oriented towards service (service-oriented architectures – SOA) and software as service (software- as-a-service – SaaS), associated with mobile applications installed in tools such as smartphones or tablets. The impact of these developments will result in a significant reduction in the time spend for documents searching and in the reduction of the possibility of human error in aircraft inspections.

AIRMES MEETS IN TOULOUSE

The partners of the AIRMES project had a kick-off meeting in Toulouse, on the 15th and 16th of December 2015, at the ONERA facilities (French

Centre for aeronautical, space and defence research), also a partner in the project. This event was aimed at starting the projects which integrate the ADVANCE Platform of the CS2 with the attendance of all of the representatives of these projects and also the leaders of the Platform, as well as the leader of Platform 3 of the LPA (Large Passenger Aircraft).In this meeting, the ADVANCE Platform was presented in an integrated manner along with the activities planned for each of its projects and the future actions for the next four years of this joint initiative were defined. The AIRFMES project framed in the Aeronautic Maintenance is integratedin this CS2 Platform contributing to a new generation of technologies integrated in a more efficient Maintenance Management, reducing costs and increase the availability of the aircraft.

A PROJECT WHICH STRENGTHENS COOPERATION BETWEEN ISQ AND TAP

Representatives of both entities highlight not only the importance of the AIRMES project, but also the fact that it constitutes another opportunity for closer relations developed between ISQ and TAP

throughout the years.Margarida Pinto, head of the ISQ Research and Development Department, underlines:“This project pursues the close collaboration between ISQ and TAP especially in the area of research and development, in which ISQ carried out, together with TAP, industrial maintenance projects. At the end of 2015, a joint project in the scope of the European Framework FP7 was successfully completed. This project with TAP-ME (Maintenance & Engineering) was focused on the development of advanced methodologies for non-destructive inspection of composite aero structures.For ISQ, the participation in this European project means a step forward in the recognition of ISQ as a supporting technological infrastructure of strategic interest for the aeronautical sector, through the development of technologies and competences for a sector as differentiating as this one, accomplishing once again its mission to support the National industry”.On the other hand, Joel Ferreira, coordinator of the AIRMES Project reinforces that: “ISQ’s experience was essential for the success of the AIRMES proposal and to guarantee the Portuguese coordination of the project. ISQ was supporting TAP from the beginning of the process and made a decisive contribution to overcome difficulties when the Portuguese coordination was threatened along with the viability of the consortium and of the project. TAP and ISQ partnership in this area lasts for many years now and it is our interest to continue this good collaboration for many and good years.


CONSULTANCY & SERVICES PHASED ARRAY AS A NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION TECHNIQUE

The main objective of the R&D unit of the Non-Destructive Testing Laboratory of ISQ (LABEND) is

the development of advanced non-destructive inspection systems. This work group has more than 20 years of experience, including various sides of knowledge, namely in the scope of materials, non-destructive control methods, automation and the development of dedicated software, resulting in an avant-garde technology which is recognised both nationally and internationally. The development of dedicated robotic systems that integrate the application of the advanced non-destructive inspection techniques available on the market, combined with pattern recognition models and with specialized signal processing algorithms, allows for a higher level of inspection automation, which constitutes an approach of high added value, in which solutions with higher productivity and minimal influence of the operator become available to the clients, as well as a complete computer record of the controlled zones for future analysis or assessment when relevant.This way, ISQ manages to present original solutions for specific situations, with the goal of meeting the needs of its clients. ISQ’s capacity, particularly of the R&D group, has been contributing for the development of cutting-edge technology in this field of activity, also allowing ISQ to establish itself as an important partner in high end industrial and scientific national and international projects.

COMPOSITES AND AERONAUTICAL INDUSTRYThe recent evolution seen in composite materials has caused an increase in its use by advanced industries, specially in the aeronautical and aero spacial segments.Generally, the idea that composites are the final say in the technology of materials for aeronautical use is widespread, specially for having extremely important properties for the sector, such as the increased mechanical resistance, the low specific weight, good performance to fatigue and good resistance to corrosion. On the other hand, composite materials have the disadvantage of being much more susceptible to impact damage than metals. The carbon fibre composites, particularly of the CFRP (Carbon-fibre-reinforced-polymer) type, started to progressively replace many metallic components on the aeronautical sector, in secondary systems as well as primary systems, such as wings and fuselages.

COMPOSITE PRODUCTIONAccording to the ASTM D3878-95 regulation, a composite is a compound constituted of two or more materials insoluble among themselves, which combine themselves to form a material with different properties than the materials that compose it, which come from the physical synergism developed during the processing. Each part can be made using an optimal method of the combination of one or more reinforcements with an array. The production method of the parts is one of the most delicate points regarding the certification of a component made with composite materials.

PHASED ARRAYAS A NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION TECHNIQUE

It is the general idea that composites are that latest in the technology of materials for aeronautical and aero spacial use. Phased Array is an advanced non-destructive inspection technique which is more adjusted to the industry’s demands. In this area, the ISQ responds through its Non-Destructive Testing Laboratory.


EDITORIAL PHASED ARRAY AS A NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION TECHNIQUE

In the aeronautical industry, the certifica-tion of a component involves a strict quality control, making the production process a very rigorous one. Among the most impor-tant composite production methods, we can name molding by manual laminating, vacuum packages laminating, injection, thermoplastic compression (RTM), resin transfer (CM) and advanced laminating (ASMC), usually by automated methods.

COMPOSITE DEFECTS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCESComposite materials stand out because of their increased resistance and specific hardness. However, the impact resistance on the direction of the thickness is very low when compared to metals. In high speed impact, the resulting damage is not a problem in terms of detection, as these are easily located by visual inspection and quickly repaired. Regarding low speed impacts, small amounts of energy can be absorbed through very localized damage mechanisms and without large plastic deformation. Thus, the damage is not easily detected, requiring the use of specific inspection techniques, as is the case of ultrasounds.Since the fibers are the reinforcement element, their rupture by impact signifi-cantly afects the mechanical resistance of the set. Regarding the cracks that occur on the matrix, they don’t lead to significant reductions of the mechanical capacities, but can sometimes promote defects of laminating type. Laminations are the most important type of damage in the composites, as their evolution leads to a drastic reduction of resistance and hardness, which may even cause a col-lapse of the material.

PHASED ARRAY TECHNIQUE AP-PLIED TO COMPOSITE MATERIALSPhase Array is an advanced ultrasound inspection technique that allows for the execution of a non-destructive as-sessment of a material. The ultrasound method consists in the emission of high frequency sound waves and in the sub-sequent reception of them. Ultrasounds are the acoustic waves with frequencies higher than the audible sounds, 20KHz,

usually using frequencies from 1 to 10 MHz on the non-destructive inspection.In composite materials inspection, defining the proper frequency to apply is very important, because these tests are characterized by a high attenuation, which depends on the frequency that was used. High frequencies have a higher attenuation, but at the same time, a higher detectability, while low frequencies have a higher sound penetration and lower attenuation, but also lower detectability. Defect detection is based on the principle that if there is a discontinuity on the material, and consequently, different acoustic impedances, which create a reflection of the sound waves, allowing for the detection of that same defect. The Phased Array probes have several piezoelectric crystals, named elements, excited independently, which can be geometrically arranged in many ways–linear, circular, matrix, and others–, depending on the type of probe. This technique presents two great advantages when compared to conventional ultrasound:•Theelementscanbeexcitedindifferent

moments, applying delay laws, which al-lows for the generation of angled sound waves, as well as their focus in certain points, achieving greater acoustic pres-sure. This point is particularly important when it comes to materials with an in-creased attenuation, like composites;

•This technique is favourable to the integration in automated systems, allowing for the inspection of 100% of the available area in lower times when compared to the conventional solution. Along with this technique, complex signal processing algorithms are used, which perform the intepretation of acquired data and allow for their representation through various viewing types on the interface with the operator (Fig. 1).

AVAILABLE SOLUTIONS ON ISQ FOR INSPECTION OF COMPOSITESAs a result of its research work, ISQ, through LABEND, offers some specific automated systems for the inspection of composite materials, resorting to the Phased Array technique, from where we highlight the fixed system for the inspection of complex geometry components, named COMPInspect, which uses the immersion technique, as well as the mobile system for TRACE-IT remote inspection.

COMPInspectThe inspection system developed on this project can be divided in three distinct parts: the immersion tank that holds the water and components that will be inspected, the main movement system of the three-axis probe, axis X, Y and Z, and the probe’s coupling arm, which holds two more auxiliary axes, allowing for two-way probe rotation. This way, there is a probe displacement around five axes, which allows for an interesting approach to complex geometry components inspection.

Inspection system COMPInspect

Figure 1 C-scan (top view) representation of a plate. Three detected defects In different thicknesses. The colour scale represents the flight time.


RACE-IT System Robotic inspection for aeronautics

TRACE-ITThis project developed a robot capable of moving on extremely smooth and non-magnetic surfaces, such as an airplane wing. Resorting to a vacuum fixation system (Fig. 2), the system moves along the surface of the component, even in positions and angles difficult to access, and working in inverted position while inspecting the material (http://trace-it.eu/).

TRACE-IT Scanner during an aeronautical component inspection

Figure 2 C-Scan (top

view) graphic representation

of damaged component

inspection results

FUTURE TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Composite materials are an indisputable reality in

the aeronautical sector, with room for improvement. It is a promising area of development, eventually leading to aircraft weight decrease and subsequent energy efficiency increase, as well as an expected reduction of maintenance activity.The aeronautical sector has gained relevance in national industry, with Portugal increasingly seeking the role of technological partner at international level.As the largest scientific and technological private infrastructure in Portugal, ISQ will continue to position itself as a technological partner and to contribute with solutions that enable its clients to offer added-value service provision, thus contributing for the development of national industry.

HUGO CARRASQUEIRAHEAD OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING LABORATORY

JOSÉ DE LA TORRER&D RESEARCHER NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING LABORATORY

DAVID SANTOSR&D JUNIOR RESEARCHER NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING LABORATORY


CONSULTANCY & SERVICES TECHNICAL ADVICE ON AIRPORT SAFETY

ISQ provides technical advisory services on Portuguese airport safety to the managing body of the facilities

and infrastructure, to handling companies and to passengers and goods transport maintenance companies. It particularly focuses on risk assessment, air quality and updating and reviewing self-protection measures. ISQ also monitors testing and technical audits on fire safety systems and equipment.The purpose of the studies carried out was primarily to ensure compliance with the legal and regulatory frameworks for occupational health and safety, the regime and technical regulations for fire safety in buildings and the energy performance of buildings directive.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETYISQ operates in various areas of occupational health & safety and fire safety within airport facilities. It places particular emphasis on air quality assessment in buildings, risk assessment in workplaces and public spaces, technical audits for verification of compliance with legal requirements for fire safety, and self-protection policies. In the event of an emergency, these measures ensure self-protection and the management of fire safety in buildings and other spaces during their operation and use.

Risk ManagementIn order to ensure health and safety conditions in workplaces and other public areas in airports, ISQ identifies the type of risk associated with the many activities and tasks performed, based on the process of risk management defined in ISO 31000.During the risk assessment, ISQ uses the ALARP principle (As Low As Reasonably Practicable), based on occupational accident and illness statistics, information about the probability of exposure to each identified risk and the corresponding consequences.

TECHNICAL ADVICEON AIRPORT SAFETY

Over the past two decades, ISQ has been developing a set of technical advisory projects on Portuguese airport safety as regards health and safety at work, as well as fire safety.


On the basis of prioritising risk, the necessary preventive, protective and mitigation measures are identified for each type of risk. This permits risks to be dealt with and reduced to acceptable levels.

Air QualityAir quality assessments monitor the concentration of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Airborne Particles (PM10, PM2,5), Formaldehyde (H2CO) and the Temperature (AT), Relative Humidity (RH) and Air Velocity (AV). The macrobiological characterisation of the air is also carried out (fungi, bacteria and Legionella spp) for comparison with the reference values laid down by law.For situations in which the measurements are above the reference values, prevention and protection measures needed for the compliance with these values are identified. The ISQ Group has properly calibrated equipment and accredited laboratories that enable these assessments to be made.

FIRE SAFETYThe purpose of ISQ’s fire safety assessment is to comply with current legislation and the technical notes of the National Civil Protection Authority. It consists in monitoring and testing fire safety systems, namely the means of detection of fire and gas, means of extinction, emergency lighting, compartmentalisation, smoke extraction, interfaces between systems and systems with independent sources of power. Audits are also performed to identify nonconformities or anomalies and to define the necessary corrective actions to ensure that facilities have acceptable fire safety levels.

Self-protection MeasuresThe new national legal regime requires operators/owners to prepare self-protection measures in the buildings or parts of the buildings they occupy. These measures are determined according to the type of use in question and the respective risk category. ISQ provides all the necessary support for their implementation.

Self-protection measures apply to all buildings and other spaces. These make provision for the organisation and management of safety, whose aim is to increase the safety of people and buildings in the event of fire. They include within their scope all prevention, preparation and response measures, encompassing all levels within each organisation.ISQ draws up self-protection measures for each category of risk, and for each type of use, which feature:•Preventive measures, which take the

form of Prevention Procedures or Prevention Plans, according to the category of risk;

•Intervention measures in case offire. Depending on the risk category, these may be Procedures in Case of Emergency or Internal Emergency Plans;

•Safetyrecords;•FireSafetyTrainingconductedthrough

actions intended for all employees and associates of the operating entities. It may also depend on the specific training required by safety representatives and other staff involved in high fire risk situations;

•Emergency Drills to test the internalemergency plan and to train the occupants of the buildings. They create behavioural routines and improve procedures.

The multidisciplinarity and multifunctionality of ISQ’s intervention allows us to provide a 360° technical advice service in partnership with the various operators/owners of the airport facilities. It also enables monitoring that goes beyond compliance with the existing legal and regulatory requirements. Our aim is always to follow best practices, and to apply technical and technological know-how.

MARIA MANUEL FARINHAHEAD OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT UNIT


CONSULTANCY & SERVICES ECODESIGN IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

AMAZE Additive Manufacturing Aiming Towards Zero Waste & Efficient Production of High-Tech Metal Products

ECODESIGNIN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

A relevant question in ESA’s Clean Space Initiative is: “What happens when one tries to apply EcoDesign to aeronautical industry?” This question arises in the context of environmental Impact and ESA programmes legislation.

EcoDesign and Life Cycle Assessment (ACV/LCA) are known methods applied in concepts such

as eco-efficiency or “cleaner”production. In practical terms, EcoDesign provides a logical structure that, with the support of environmental information generated by an ACV, allows the identification of the main environmental challenges of a specific manufacturing product or process and, consequently, supports the identification of potential compromise solutions.Thus the question “What happens when one tries to apply EcoDesign to aeronautical industry?” arises in the sphere of ESA’s Clean Space Initiative, that foresees the establishment of a common frame for the European space sector with respect to environmental impact assessment and complying with current legislation by ESA programs. As a main result, Clean Space foresees the development of an EcoDesign tool, to be integrated in its planning process in order to include environmental aspects in planning future space missions.

The main problem arises from the fact that the existent tools are specific for technologies still being applied, with emphasis in general consumption products and large-scale production practices. Therefore, the correct operation of this tool clearly depends on the inclusion of the specificities of this sector which, among others, include the use of singular materials, specialized manufacturing processes, lower production volumes or more demanding testing and functional requirements.In this respect, the question now is: “Which are the main challenges for the adaptation of ecological concession tools to demanding applications such as the ones in aeronautical industry?” As a first attempt to address that question, ESA launched a call for Life Cycle Assessments (ACV) of a wide set of specific manufacturing materials, components and processes of this sector. This activity, in cooperation with ISQ, resulted in the findings below.

MAIN CONCLUSIONSThe majority of materials used in demanding applications are not properly modelled by the current tools.

This conclusion is patent in the vast majority of the analysed processes and components, with special incidence on the ones using specific properties materials. An excellent example is the high-strength aluminium alloys, such as light alloys or aluminium-lithium alloys.The results clearly show that small compositional differences in the alloys can lead to significant variations. In fact, some of the elements presents in this alloy type can significantly contribute to variations even in low concentrations. Therefore, this is a challenge for the application of EcoDesign in advanced applications, because it is expected that application that require specific properties obtained by special alloys present results substantially different than the ones provided by the current tools.


The use of specific materials leads to more emissions in the production stage.

The effective use of materials is especial-ly important in demanding applications. An example of that are the components made by titanium alloys, such as the propellant storage tanks, in which the material removal rates can ascend to 95%, independently of its geometry. For instance, we can talk about the environ-mental assessment of the production of a cylindrical 1 m3 tank, covered by carbon fibre which main message patent here is that the environmental performance of the production of this type of component is clearly dependent on the base material recovery, more than any support struc-ture of the process or consumed energy. In this sense, it is recommended for the use of materials with closed recycling cy-cles, with special incidence on those in which the properties of the materials are maintained after the recycling process.

The supply chain rupture risk can occur in an indirect way.

The dependence on essential raw materials can also occur indirectly from the use of materials in support functions. As the main example, stands out the fluorite used in the production of germanium, base-element for the photovoltaic panels used in space missions.With respect to the production of photovoltaic energy, currently the most used system corresponds to triple-junction solar cells composed of two layers of gallium-indium-phosphorus and gallium-arsenic supported over a structural layer of germanium. Its use is fundamentally justified by a higher efficiency, advantages in radiation and hardness, small temperature coefficients, high reliability, high tension and low current.This is clearly one of the advantages of using the ACV methodologies, because it facilitates the identification of special features in the several upstream and downstream stages of the process or product being analysed. In quantitative terms, it was also possible to conclude that, for example, for the production area of 1 m2 and a width of 150μm, 7.1 kg of

fluorite are necessary.

Small quantities can contribute in great measure.

Such as it was verified in the production of different alloys or photovoltaic panels, small variations in variations in materials or concentration may lead to discrepant results, consequently, incorrect conclusions. Therefore, considering the specificity and singularity of many of the materials used by the aeronautical industry, it is recommended that all the present elements in the composition of any component are considered, aiming the achievement of results that reflect its real environmental performance.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The results indicate that the advanced manufacturing methods used by the aeronautical industry add particular properties when compared to the conventional ones. In fact, these methods are in the majority of the cases associated with lower environmental performances, which doesn’t mean that they should lack in an environmentally negative connotation. Actually, this reflection only focused in sharing ways of how to benefit from the Life Cycle Assessment methodologies and EcoDesign practices as support tools for the decision making process in this sector. Hence, answering the article’s initial question, it is concluded that supporting the decision making on existent EcoDesign tools can lead to incorrect compromise solutions. However, when adapted to the particularities of this sector, these offer a vital vision for supply chain of manufacturing materials and processes. Because of that, given this use, despite being associated with significant effort, the adaptation of these tools to demanding applications such as the aeronautical sector ones is extremely recommended. It is a future commitment in face of the sector demands.

EDUARDO JOÃO SILVARESEARCHER AND PROJECT MANAGER – INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY CENTER


TRAINING WE ARE TRAINING AND SKILLING FOR... FLYING!

All across Europe, whether it is France, Italy or Portugal, we witness the same phenomenon:

the construction of the Embraer factories in our country, an investment of 177 million Euros, was undoubtedly an important milestone which was able to elevate Portugal to the international aeronautical market and, at the same time, to the space sector.Several small and medium sized enterprises redirected their focus towards the international aeronautical and space sector. There are good employment opportunities in several regions in the country together with companies that became technologically innovative and very competitive, with excellence levels in the most diverse

areas: from quality control and tests, materials and composites, air quality – in which ISQ operates internationally –, to eco-design, leather and wadding, aircraft maintenance, product development and manufacturing, aero dynamical structures, among others.The Portuguese aeronautical and space cluster already integrates the big challenges of the sector: “less weight, better performance and more efficiency to reduce costs and pollution”, having participated and led highly innovative support solutions for the great worldwide evolutions in the industry and services.The cluster companies need highly spe-cialized technicians, from level 3 to 7 of the European Board of Qualifications, oriented to companies’ specific areas

WE ARE TRAINING AND SKILLING FOR... FLYING!

In Europe, as well as worldwide, the aeronautical sector is linked to the idea of technological innovation, high strategic interest for economy and employment, not only for the techno logical innovations and real assets that it generates, but most of all because of the “business wave” that boosts the other orbital sectors, with great impact in local employment, in the regions in each country, including in the circular economy.

ISQ Training Center Advanced practical training


of intervention and needs. The aeronau-tical and space sectors require “innova-tive and specialised talents”, that greatly overcome the competences of the tradi-tional aeronautical technician or aeronau-tical or space engineer.It is estimated that, in the following years, air traffic will have an average annual increase of 4.7%, therefore requiring aircraft manufacturers to produce 29,220 new aircrafts, more modern and comfortable, more efficient and reliable and less pollutant. It is an increasing opportunity of innovation, specialized business and employment in several areas of expertise, including in Portugal.

In two studies released in the beginning of 2016 by the Centre of European Studies for the Training (Cedefop) and by the University of Antwerp it was concluded that:

•There is a big gap between thecompetence supply and the competence demand. There is a serious gap of necessary competences to satisfy the necessities of the employer companies, competences that are not created by the educational and training institutions despite of the high level of unemployment existent in Europe. With effect, more than 38% of the companies don’t find available the necessary technical competences, this number being even higher in the aeronautical sector, around 58%;

•Therearemorethan2.6million jobs inEurope that are linked to aeronautics, it is predicted that it will increase up to 3 million (distributed between companies linked to production, airports, aviation and maintenance), which requires a permanent update of competences, including in the area of mechanics and mechatronics, composites and materials, metrology, testings, as well as quality control. We’re talking about advanced specialized training.

•Beyondthekey-competencesthatlackin the areas of maintenance, materials, tests and quality control, safety, “green competences: environmental and circular economy”, there are still transversal core-competences that are not developed nor provided by the educational institutions, with negative impacts both in the selection and hiring process, and in the career evolution, namely problem solving, capacity to work on multidisciplinary teams, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Portugal took its first steps in aeronautical sector, mostly in level-4 initial training, carried out by IEFP. There is still good quality higher education programmes, mainly in mechanical engineering.

MARGARIDA SEGARDASSISTANT DIRECTOR ISQ TRAINING

MARTA GARCIAHEAD OF E3 - EXECUTIVE EXPERTISE FOR ENGINEERS TRAINING


If we want to grow and be innovative, with global training offers adjusted to an European and international cluster that needs global competences, we need European reference good practices and training solutions, sustained by practical and hands-on training facilities, with modern equipment. In France, there are 16 qualification standards for the aeronautical sector and a strong investment in continuous training, in partnership with territory development companies and entities.

ISQ’S ANSWERS AS A TRAINING PLAYER OF THE SECTOR

ISQ has invested in continuous training, in the advanced training in niche areas based on companies and regions surveyed needs aiming at capacity building and certification, when necessary. Good examples are the many workshops in aeronautical maintenance, mechanical movement of cargo, emergency plans, safety, autoprotection measures, emergency exercises welding and bonding technologies, non-destructive testing, metrology materials and composite materials technology, or in methodologies such as the Balanced Scorecard specific for the sector, among others.In addition to training courses and R&D projects with our clients and partners, representatives of the sector (Embraer, OGMA, PEMAS, AED, Alma Design, Ana Aeroportos, Gestair, INAC, AFAP, etc.), ISQ has also collaborated in IEFP’s capacitation strategy, namely in the standardisation and modernisation of the training spaces dedicated to aeronautics, aiming a greater multifunctionality, efficiency and “just in time” adaptation capacity to the emergent market needs. In Portugal, we need to further support the renowned growth of this sector, namely creating a solid, innovative and sustainable workforce, in a close partnership with the companies’ needs, under a dialogue with the sector’s stakeholders, in a regional and international prospective scenario. This dialogue on employment is one of the

axis of Corporate Social Responsability and Sustainable Growth: the public and private training centres, manufacturing companies and service providers, authorities and Research Centres should have a close cooperation and collaboration, and the aeronautical sector represents an excellent opportunity to unite forces, influence and interest mechanisms, towards growth, towards the sky and the space!We need to invest in training and qualifications in order to overcome competence and talent gaps in the youth and adults that work or intend to work in this sector. This investment should be implemented at a national level with regional emphasis, associated with national, international and sectorial certifications, in accordance with the European line of growth and the growth targets for each country. Obviously, this should follow the same line and the strategical priorities for training and employment defined in the Convention of Riga and in the European Declaration: “New priorities for the cooperation in training and education: European strategy 2020”.ISQ’s international work experience for the aeronautical and space sectorscontributed to realise the lack of skills common to both sectors with no defined limits. In fact, training for the aeronautics surely creates competences for the space sector, which nowadays and in a near future will integrate part of the telecommunication sector, including quality control, testing, interoperability, etc., sector in which ISQ has strong competences and is also an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) European Centre of Excellence.We believe that if we work together and in a concerted manner for this Aeronau-tical and Space cluster with national and regional authorities, including manage-ment teams of public funding develop-ment framework programmes we can provide better training, better qualifica-tion for better performance and... Fly!

GET TO KNOW OUR TRAINING AREAS:· AERONAUTICS

· ENVIRONMENT

· AUTOMATION

· PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

· ENERGY

· NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

· MANAGEMENT

· MAINTENANCE

· PEDAGOGIC/BEHAVIORAL

· QUALITY

· SAFETY

· WELDING

· TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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TRA

ININ

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TRAINING WE ARE TRAINING AND SKILLING FOR... FLYING!


TRAINING TRAINING PLAN 2ND HALF OF 2016

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

· Postgraduate programme in Renewable Energy and Energetic Efficiency – 3rd edition 320h

· Postgraduate course in Quality Engineering – 40th edition 402h

· Postgraduate course in Welding Engineering (EWF/IIW Qualification) for levels: E/IWE – Engineer, 498h E/IWT – Technologist and E/IWS – European/International Welding Specialist – 35th edition

· Postgraduate course in Maintenance Management – 20th edition 350h

· Postgraduate course in Integrated System Management: Quality, Environment, Safety and Corporate 336h Social Responsability 9th edition

· Postgraduate in Lean & Operations Management 220h

· Superior Occupational Safety Officer – Level VI – ACT approved – 31th edition 550h

UPDATE EVENTS

· Energetic Auditing – Technical Lighting Measurement and Verification 8h

· Quality Control in Welded Construction 4h

· Elaboration of Specifications and Qualification of Welding Procedures 8h

· Exploration and Inspection of Electrical Installations 8h

· Fundamentals of Electricity for Non-Electrotechnical Engineers 8h

· Forestry Fuel Management 8h

· Laboratory Waste Management 8h

· HACCP – Food Safety System 8h

· Introduction to e-commerce 8h

· Lean Management – Industry and Services 8h

· Distributed Electricity Production: Auto consumption and Small Production 8h

· Sustainable Urban Rehabilitation 8h

· Energy Management System: Objectives, Goals and Action Plans for Energy Management 8h

SPECIALIZATIONS

· Specialization in Quality Management 125h· Specialization in Building Fire Safety for 3rd and 4th Risk Category Designers 128h· EWF Specialization for Welding Coordination for EN 1090 – Standard Level (WC-S) 120h· IIW/EWF Specialization for Standard Level Welding Inspector (IWIP-S) 163h· HAVC Project Specialization 104h

MANAGEMENT

· AACE – Costs Management (EVP – Earned Value Professional) 35h· ISO/IEC 27001 Foundation – PECB International Certification 16h· ISO/IEC 27002 Manager – PECB International Certification 24h· ISO/IEC 27005 Risk Manager – PECB International Certification 24h· PMI – Project Management Professional (PMP) 60h· PMI – Risk Management Professional (RMP) 40h· Times and Methods – Standardized Study of Work 16h

These and other programmes are offered in the several training centres across the country and can be customised for your organization.

CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONISQ Formação OeirasPhone: (+351) 214 234 000E-mail: [email protected]

ISQ Formação Vila Nova de GaiaPhone: (+351) 227 471 916E-mail: [email protected]

ISQ Formação SinesPhone: (+351) 269 632 276E-mail: [email protected]

+ INFOwww.isq.pt/formacao/catalogo

Programmes


TALKING WITH... NUNO MARQUES

TALKING WITH...

Nuno Marques

ISQ is the greatest technological infrastructure technology of Portugal, with physical presence in different regions of the country, namely in the centre, in Castelo Branco, where it is installed, which responds to the needs of the aeronautical and space sectors. Nuno Marques, a Laboratory Technician, works here.

What is the oldest memory you have of ISQ?It’s not difficult to remember. It was March 2007. At the time I was a student at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco. A professor told me about a project for the development of a specific control system for the execution of ATP tests at ISQ-LABET, in Castelo Branco. I accepted the offer and got to know more about the project with my professor’s assistance, and the project was completed by the end of that same year. This was my first contact with ISQ, and it has been almost 10 years, now.

How is your day at ISQ, Castelo Branco?

Pull out all the stops! Al-ways at 120%. Always trying to stay one step ahead. Always run-ning, taking care of a lot of things at the same time. Whether it is disassembling parts, writing reports,

conducting testing, or trying to figure out new

solutions. Everything hap-pens very quickly and at the

same time.

What does an Electronic Engineering graduate do when he/she is not conducting fatigue or vibration testing?Here at ISQ we do ATP tests, i.e. tests required for approval of isothermic boxes and equipment for the production of cold necessary for the transportation of perishable food products, but also temperature tests, vacuum tests, maintenance, secretariat, workplace organisation, service and equipment optimisation… Anyway, there’s always something to do.Outside ISQ, electronic engineering is always present. I do some things in this area, such as hardware development. I also spend time with my family, in my car or motorcycle.

How do you explain what is fatigue or vibration testing to an 8year old child?I explain it just like I explain my daughter, for example: “At work, Dad wags and bends parts: some of them break, others don’t.

Working at ISQ has in some way influenced the professional and the person you are today?I like working. I’ve been like that my whole life. I always give my best. On a professional level, the commitment to others is essential: I’m there for ISQ, delivering quality work, and ISQ is there for me, always offering interesting opportunities. Because of that, I believe I am committed to quality work and ongoing improvement.

If you had to choose the best moment you experienced so far at ISQ, what would that be?When a job is done! This is always the best moment in all projects I’m involved with.

As a child, what did you want to be when you were older and how did you discover your vocation to engineering?Any activity that would make me “get to work” was always captivating and interesting to me. I loved to ride my bike when I was young, but not only riding for the sake of it. Riding my bike included the maintenance part. It was like the continuation of the activity. And I was self-taught! Of course it was way before the “youtube generation”. I used to disassemble, assemble and, even if some parts were missing, the bike would always work. Through this, it was already possible to realize that I had some vocation for Engineering.

Which reasons would you highlight to include Castelo Branco in the 2016 touristic route?Above all, the mountain air and the peace that the country’s interior can provide. In addition, I would recommend a visit to the village of Monsanto and its historical area about 50 kilometres from here. There are certainly other reasons, but these ones seem attractive enough to include the Castelo Branco region in the destinations to be visited.

Sofia BernardoCommunication and Image

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT IN AIRPORTS

Health and Safety at WorkIndoor air quality | Thermal environment evaluation and illuminance levels | Exposure to electromagnetic fields and optical radiation | Exposure to chemical and biological agents | Checking the presence of asbestos

Safety consultancy (authorised by ACT) | Risk management (ISO 31000) | AQS legislation database | Assessment of occupational risks | Explosive atmospheres directive (ATEX)

Project and construction coordination | Safety, project and health plans | Projects evaluation and scaffolding inspection | Checking the colective protections and personal protective equipment

Fire SafetyAudits | Fire risk assessment | Self-protection measures | Equipments: project specifications and revision, on-site execution and tests follow-up

EnvironmentAir: Quality studies on ambient air

Consultancy: Environmental Impact Study (EIA) | Audits for Legal Compliance (ISO 14001)

Constructions: Environmental management of construction contracts

Waste: Management plans | Feasibility studie

Environmental Responsibility: Due Diligence | Environmental Licensing | Environmental risk analysis (ARA) | Establishing of financial guarantee

Soils and Water: Contamination studies of soils and waters | Remediation plans

Sustainability: Sustainability reports (GRI – Global Reporting Initiative) | Life-cycle assessments (ISO 14040) | Carbon footprint

Documents

Aeronautics and Aerospace - Grupo ISQ€¦ · consultancy & services 37 phased array as a non-destructive inspection technique 40 technical advice on airport safety 42 ecodesign in