The Advanced Inspection, Methods and Materials (AIMM) Center officially opened its doors in Ogden, Utah, marking a milestone in the evolution of nondestructive testing (NDT) for advanced composites. The result of a collaboration between CICNDT, a composites inspection consultancy, and robotic NDT startup Omni NDE, the 4,000-square-foot facility aims to become a one-stop hub for inspection innovation and training.
The AIMM Center is equipped with cutting-edge tools including robotic CT/RT, phased array UT, laser ultrasound, thermography, and shearography, serving industries from aerospace and defense to wind energy and marine.
“One of our goals for establishing the AIMM Center is to bring the latest sensors and inspection methods into one place,” said Jeremy Heinks, CEO of CICNDT.
Beyond inspection services, the center offers system customization, equipment sales, training, certifications, digital twin capabilities, and R&D consulting.
In a standout demo at the launch, Omni NDE showcased a robotic CT system housed in a mobile container, allowing on-site scanning of large aerospace structures.
“In some cases, we can even enable inspections in the field,” said James Bennett, Ph.D., CEO of Omni NDE, underscoring the flexibility of their cobot-based systems.
With non-contact inspection methods like robotic CT and laser UT, the AIMM Center is also advancing cleaner, contamination-free alternatives for sensitive composite materials.
The partners plan to host industry workshops and continue exploring complex materials like ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and welded thermoplastic composites.
“We are bringing decades of experience in real-world applications to trial these technologies and develop the practical methodologies needed to use them effectively,” added Heinks.
Reference: https://www.compositesworld.com/news/aimm-center-for-advanced-composites-ndt-opens-in-ogden-utah
