Absolute Vision in R&D project for global airplane-engine manufacturer

SEPTEMBER 4--Absolute Vision Ltd. (www.absolutevision.co.uk) has begun working on a project with a major global airplane-engine manufacturer for the development of two-dimensional (2-D) part-marking reading applications. Following a successful technical-assessment phase, Absolute Vision was selected in June 2003 and has since undertaken a visit to a major subsidiary to demonstrate new data-matrix-code-reading products and discuss applications potential. The current project will further the aims of the manufacturer's policy to ensure that all its engine parts will conform to US Air Transport Association (ATA) 2000 Chapter 9 symbology within the next few years.

Charlie Plain-Jones, sales director for Absolute Vision, said: "The whole objective is to develop the most-efficient, cost-effective, and fastest way of accurately reading and recording 2-D data. In aerospace manufacturing, there are number of clearly identifiable applications, and our philosophy is to finely hone our products to these specific applications in joint development with key players in the market.

"Our hardware is relatively simple, which allows us to concentrate on core engineering and image acquisition. We are able to produce application-specific products very quickly and economically, and these result in a far more ergonomic and 'operator-friendly' solution than is achievable using general-purpose readers. In short, we work with the customer to produce readers to do a job."

The ATA and major airplane manufacturers have now mandated the application of 2-D data-matrix codes for part traceability so that all subsuppliers also need to understand how to apply and read the codes.