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New warranty
International news Robot will "learn" fuselage shape A robotic inspection system which 'learns' the shape of the aircraft fuselage it is to inspect has been built by ERA Technology of Leatherhead, UK. Ordered by MatEval Ltd of Warrington, the frame is to form part of an inspection system for the Starship 1 from Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, KS, USA. (see NDT International October 1985 for a description of the full system). The original specification called for the robot to be guided under joystick control over the surface of the fuselage; the probe's position would then be recorded at enough points to build up a net which the robot could follow during the inspection. However, Dr Morris Lockwood and his colleagues at ERA realized that this would be a very slow process and persuaded MatEval that a system which taught itself would be quicker. In the completed
version a purpose built contact probe is put in place of the ultrasonic probe and positioned in normal contact with the fuselage. The fuselage is then rotated as in the inspection process and the probe slides over the surface. The probe is maintained normal to the surface and the coordinates of a band of fuselage are recorded. The system optimizes the number of bands which are required to teach the robot the shape of the whole fuselage.
Fixed and floating platforms will be modelled by John Brown to identify critical areas for condition monitoring. AVT will then collect the relevant data which will be fed back into the model to see if the structure is performing as intended. Due to the increasing age of structures in the North Sea, the two partners expect the demand for structural re-analysis and monitoring to grow.
Currently two parts of the MatEval system are up and running and the firm expects to integrate the ERA robotic frame in the near future.
AVT Group, AVTECH House, Birdhall Lane, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire SK3 0XU, UK
ERA Technology Ltd, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SA, UK
Visual system assessed Markets and uses for automated visual inspection systems are to be assessed and predicted by BattelleFrankfurt. The study will enable potential users of automated visual inspection systems to obtain information about the possibility of introducing such systems in their own companies.
A high-speed eddy current inspection service for locating defects in tubes in condensors and heat exchangers is now being offered worldwide by Inspectorate-Unit Inspection.
System manufacturers can use the study results as a source of information about international markets and major application areas and development trends. The goals of Battelle's study are to:
The Hispec service has been available in the UK for 5 - 6 years and has now reached the point where the company says it inspects over 100 000 tubes a year. This is primarily in power stations but also offshore, in petrochemical plant and in ships.
NDT International December 1986
A joint venture agreement for structural integrity assessment of offshore structures has been signed by AV Technology Ltd (AVT) of Cheshire, UK, and John Brown Engineers.
Dr Lockwood feels that this concept could be widely applicable to fuselage inspection, even though the £ 120 000 system is purpose built for the Starship 1.
Tube inspection service offered worldwide
Both phase and amplitude analysis is used by the Hispec technique to detect not only corrosion on the inside or outside of the tube wall but also erosion, local pitting, cracks, dents and changes in material composition. 40 m of tube are said to be inspected per minute for a wide range of materials including brass, copper, stainless steel, titanium, monel and cupra-nickeL Computer analysis provides data summaries and tube listings for information on tube condition.
Firms link to analyse offshore structures
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Inspection of a heatexchangerusing Hispec
Dr Chris Webborn of Inspectorate EaE says that u lot of interest has been shown in the service overseas, particularly in Norway, Pakistan and South America. For further information contact: Inspectorate EaE Ltd, PO Box 45, Portrack Lane, Stockton-onTees, Cleveland TS18 2PP, UK
• describe and analyse currently available automated inspection methods and systems • provide an assessment of their efficiency, flexibility, and economy • identify potential uses • determine system adaptability to other uses • forecast major development trends
New warranty Wells Krautkramer has introduced a new warranty for its USK7 ultrasonic flaw detector. The scheme extends the full warranty cover for parts and labour for one to three years.
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version a purpose built contact probe is put in place of the ultrasonic probe and positioned in normal contact with the fuselage. The fuselage is then rotated as in the inspection process and the probe slides over the surface. The probe is maintained normal to the surface and the coordinates of a band of fuselage are recorded. The system optimizes the number of bands which are required to teach the robot the shape of the whole fuselage.
Fixed and floating platforms will be modelled by John Brown to identify critical areas for condition monitoring. AVT will then collect the relevant data which will be fed back into the model to see if the structure is performing as intended. Due to the increasing age of structures in the North Sea, the two partners expect the demand for structural re-analysis and monitoring to grow.
Currently two parts of the MatEval system are up and running and the firm expects to integrate the ERA robotic frame in the near future.
AVT Group, AVTECH House, Birdhall Lane, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire SK3 0XU, UK
ERA Technology Ltd, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SA, UK
Visual system assessed Markets and uses for automated visual inspection systems are to be assessed and predicted by BattelleFrankfurt. The study will enable potential users of automated visual inspection systems to obtain information about the possibility of introducing such systems in their own companies.
A high-speed eddy current inspection service for locating defects in tubes in condensors and heat exchangers is now being offered worldwide by Inspectorate-Unit Inspection.
System manufacturers can use the study results as a source of information about international markets and major application areas and development trends. The goals of Battelle's study are to:
The Hispec service has been available in the UK for 5 - 6 years and has now reached the point where the company says it inspects over 100 000 tubes a year. This is primarily in power stations but also offshore, in petrochemical plant and in ships.
NDT International December 1986
A joint venture agreement for structural integrity assessment of offshore structures has been signed by AV Technology Ltd (AVT) of Cheshire, UK, and John Brown Engineers.
Dr Lockwood feels that this concept could be widely applicable to fuselage inspection, even though the £ 120 000 system is purpose built for the Starship 1.
Tube inspection service offered worldwide
Both phase and amplitude analysis is used by the Hispec technique to detect not only corrosion on the inside or outside of the tube wall but also erosion, local pitting, cracks, dents and changes in material composition. 40 m of tube are said to be inspected per minute for a wide range of materials including brass, copper, stainless steel, titanium, monel and cupra-nickeL Computer analysis provides data summaries and tube listings for information on tube condition.
Firms link to analyse offshore structures
.
.
.
.
.
Inspection of a heatexchangerusing Hispec
Dr Chris Webborn of Inspectorate EaE says that u lot of interest has been shown in the service overseas, particularly in Norway, Pakistan and South America. For further information contact: Inspectorate EaE Ltd, PO Box 45, Portrack Lane, Stockton-onTees, Cleveland TS18 2PP, UK
• describe and analyse currently available automated inspection methods and systems • provide an assessment of their efficiency, flexibility, and economy • identify potential uses • determine system adaptability to other uses • forecast major development trends
New warranty Wells Krautkramer has introduced a new warranty for its USK7 ultrasonic flaw detector. The scheme extends the full warranty cover for parts and labour for one to three years.
411