Diseño y aplicación de soluciones de ingeniería para proyectos del centro de investigación y desarrollo tecnológico de innovación aeronáutica de la fuerza aeroespacial Colombiana

Abstract

This internship was carried out at the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico de Innovación Aeronáutica (CETIA) of the Colombian Aerospace Force (Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana), within the framework of the strategic projects led by the institution in the areas of automation, maintenance, and technological support for aerospace surveillance systems and unmanned platforms. The process was undertaken by two students from the Control Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering programs who, through practical integration into the center’s activities, applied and consolidated their technical knowledge in the real context of an institutional project. The internship was conducted over a period of six months, in a face-to-face modality. The central problem identified was the lack of adequate tools to perform safe and standardized technical maintenance on the Rotary Joint of the TPS-70/78 radars. These components are essential for radar operation, but their handling in the field—without the use of a specialized maintenance bench—has led to operational failures and risks of damage to critical and costly parts. In addition, a lack of operational documentation was identified in previously developed systems by the center, such as the solar runway lights system, as well as the need to conceptualize future solutions, including an automated charging and storage platform for UAS-type drones. These technological needs motivated the structuring of the internship as an opportunity to provide solutions through applied engineering. The proposed solution consisted of the design and implementation of an automated system for the Rotary Joint maintenance bench, integrating a control system and a wireless system for signal measurement at the rotary tip, aimed at detecting damage without interfering with its movement. Initially, a scale prototype was developed to validate the control model and, in parallel, technical manuals were prepared for the solar runway lights system, along with the exploration of a storage system design for drones. However, due to delays in the delivery of components by the institution, priority was given to the development of the maintenance bench as the main project of the internship. As a result, a functional system was implemented to control the three axes of movement of the bench, solving critical issues such as motor asynchrony. In addition, intuitive interfaces were designed, which, together with a wireless pressure measurement system connected through a LAN network and integrated into the platform, enhanced the overall operability of the setup. The prototype was validated on a universal PCB, and the design of a professional printed circuit board was completed for future manufacturing. The entire system was documented in technical manuals and commented code files, leaving a solid foundation for the continuity and full implementation of the project. In conclusion, the internship met the proposed objectives, strengthening CETIA’s technical capabilities and leaving behind a robust, well-documented solution for a key process in radar system maintenance. Furthermore, it highlighted the importance of modular planning, interdisciplinary integration, and clear documentation to ensure the sustainability and replicability of the technological solutions developed.