Finalization of the INCAS Space Project - A Successful Technical Marathon

The Socitec Group technical team completed a successful journey within the framework of the #INCAS project. A collaborative project initiated in 2015, INCAS was designated as part of the 21st call for projects through the French Unique Interministerial Fund (FUI). Its objective is to develop innovative and competitive mechanical solutions to attenuate the low and very low frequency vibratory environments of sensitive equipment on board aircraft or space launchers. The working group, led by Avnir Engineering, called on the complementary skills of #Ariane Group and #Safran Helicopter Engines, manufacturers, laboratories, and research centers.

Background:

On-board equipment for aeronautics and space must demonstrate very good reliability and performance while being subjected to severe, complex operating constraints. The attenuation of dynamic low frequency loads to protect sensitive equipment is therefore critical for manufacturers. The project’s goal was to improve the lifetime of this equipment while optimizing it structurally, creating the challenge to find the proper balance between stiffness and mass.

Achievements:

This project, which included four engineers at #Socitec, ended this summer with proven and validated scientific and technological advances. Two new innovative solutions proposed by Socitec were able to cross the technological readiness levels TRL3 to TRL6: A hybrid blade-and-cable #shock #absorber intended to ensure #vibratory decoupling between the launcher and the payload to Ariane Group specification, and a range of dynamic absorbers to Safran Helicopter Engines specification aimed at reducing thruster piping vibrations.

Socitec particularly appreciated the good collaboration, forging new partnerships between the members of the consortium. This journey was also extremely beneficial for the members of our team, who have gained skills and expertise, both in terms of modeling and industrial processes such as additive #manufacturing, without forgetting the enthusiasm and pride of having contributed to a prestigious project!

Please watch the video to see the tests validating the Socitec solutions in a space-like environment during the different take-off phases and overall flight of a launcher. The last phase, in a harsh environment at design limit loads, is particularly impressive.