Research Organisation

Alphabetical listing of research establishments and organisations who are Associate Members of BINDT.

A.E.S. Destructive and Non-destructive Testing Limited
Address:Flat E, 2/F, Block 2, Kwai Tak Industrial Centre, 15~33 Kwai Tak Street, Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong
Telephone:+(852) 2422 6898
Fax:+(852) 2419 1137
Contact:Dr Welkin Li, Technical Director
Email Address:info@aes.hk
Web Address:www.aes.hk
Description:AES® was established in 1983 with services now covering destructive and non-destructive test of metallic materials, NDT and welder training, welder and welding procedure test, proof load test, QA/QC inspection and instrument calibration. AES® is certified to ISO 9001: 2008 and is a HOKLAS/HKIAS accredited laboratory/inspection body for services as listed in the HOKLAS/HKIAS Directories (services that are not listed in the directories are not specifically accredited by HOKLAS/HKIAS). AES® is also a Government Approved Specialist Contractor for NDT of welds.

Aberdeen NDE Centre Ltd
Address:Block 2, Unit 7, Souterhead Industrial Centre, Souterhead Road, Altens, Aberdeen, Scotland AB12 3LF
Telephone:+44 (0)1224 894422
Fax:+44 (0)1224 871514
Contact:Raymond J R Wilson, Director of NDT Level III Services
Email Address:info@aberdeenndecentre.com
Web Address:www.aberdeenndecentre.com
Description:Aberdeen NDE Centre offers a wide range of services to the industry requiring NDT training, certification, consultancy and NDT Level III services.

Our Aberdeen-based centre will provide:
  • Level I, II and III training, examination and certification.
  • Company-specific NDT examinations and evaluations.
  • Advanced training programmes for qualified and non-qualified NDT personnel.
  • Development of new inspection techniques and industry applications.
  • Corrosion/Erosion monitoring using conventional and advanced NDT systems.
  • Introducing non-intrusive and intrusive inspection applications.
  • NDT familiarisation/awareness programmes.
  • Competency assessments and evaluations.
  • Consultancy in NDE including audits and reviews of company training needs.
  • NDT Level III services covering procedures writing, reviews and endorsements.

AWE Aldermaston
Address:AWE Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4PR
Telephone:01189 826932
Fax:
Contact:John Moggeridge
Email Address:john.moggeridge@awe.co.uk
Web Address:www.awe.co.uk
Description:AWE plc is contracted to the Ministry of Defence for all aspects of safety and performance of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. As a result, AWE employs a wide range of Scientific and Engineering staff, and facilities dedicated to the design, manufacture and testing of conventional, nuclear and aerospace components. These areas are in turn supported by a team of NDE technologists.
The current NDE capabilities include radiographic facilities housing a 4 MeV Linac, 10 MeV Minac and conventional X-ray systems from 420 kV down to 50 kV. These systems can be used with our flat panel and camera-based digital real-time radiography systems to produce digital and CT images as well as conventional film radiography. In addition we have a 160 kV microfocal cabinet system also capable of producing CT images. We also have both ultrasonic and eddy current capabilities with XYZ computer-controlled immersion tank systems and a small robot and turntable for use with conventional eddy current probes.
Personnel within the NDE group at AWE are trained to ASNT Level II.

BSRIA Limited
Address:Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7AH
Telephone:01344 465600
Fax:01344 465626
Contact:bsria@bsria.co.uk
Email Address:bsria@bsria.co.uk
Web Address:www.bsria.co.uk
Description:BSRIA's engineering, technical and market research experts provide independent, objective and practical help in design, construction and occupancy of the built environment.

A member association with over 50 years' experience, we support industry through advice, testing, instruments, research and guidance to promote energy and water efficiency, best practice in construction and effective operation of buildings.

BSRIA's services include:
  • Airtightness testing: BSRIA offers nationwide airtightness testing, consultancy, design reviews and support services on all buildings for Part L of the Building Regulations – dwellings and non-dwellings.
  • Airtightness training: BSRIA runs a BINDT-accredited course in domestic airtightness testing, which is the first step towards becoming registered with BINDT as a domestic airtightness tester.
  • Acoustic testing: For Part E of the Building Regulations.
  • Instruments: BSRIA Instrument Solutions offers hire, calibration and sales of a comprehensive range of building services and construction instruments. We are a UKAS accredited calibration laboratory. See www.bis.fm for further information.
  • Thermography: Infrared thermography can be used in a variety of applications including detecting heat losses from buildings and checking electrical installations for excessive temperatures.
  • Condition monitoring: Including power quality, electromagnetic field (EMF), vibration and acoustic surveys.

Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering
Address:University of Strathclyde, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Royal College Building, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW
Telephone:0141 548 2886
Fax:0141 548 2950
Contact:Dr Anthony Gachagan
Email Address:cue@eee.strath.ac.uk
Web Address:www.cue.ac.uk
Description:CUE has conducted leading edge research in the application of ultrasound for UK and overseas governments and a wide range of industrial companies. It is also a member of the UK Research Centre in NDE (RCNDE). CUE will meet the needs of ultrasonic end-users through:

  • Fundamental research programmes, consultancy and feasibility studies.
  • Transducer and systems design, development and characterisation.
  • State-of-the-art transducer modelling software, manufacturing and evaluation.
  • Prototype devices and instrumentation.
  • Training in all aspects of advanced acoustics.
  • Long-term partnerships with industry and academic groups.

The activities of the Centre cover the majority of the important topics associated with the application of ultrasonics to solve industrial NDE problems. Current research spans the acoustic spectrum from 5 kHz to 20 MHz as well as encompassing interrelated areas from physics through materials technology, instrumentation and computing, to prototype manufacture and application demonstrations. Notable examples of current projects include:

  • Design and fabrication of ultrasonic transducers and arrays.
  • Remote Sensing Agents for Reconfigurable NDE Scanning.
  • New flexible ultrasonic transducers and arrays for NDT and in-situ health monitoring.
  • Biologically inspired systems.
  • Piezocomposite transducers for NDE of concrete.
  • Air-coupled ultrasound transducer systems.
  • Application of wideband coded sequences to maximise system SNR.
  • Wireless coupled sensors.
  • Calibration of acoustic emission sensors.
  • Transducers for high temperature applications.
  • Single crystal transducer arrays.
  • NDE of dirty parts using thermosonics.
  • Polymer engineering of piezocomposite fillers.
  • Multilayer piezocomposites for high power transmission.
  • Surface displacement and beam profiling calibration of ultrasonic transducers.
  • High performance software for 3D imaging, signal processing, visualisation and intelligent system evaluation of ultrasonic NDT data.
  • Intelligent systems for NDE.

Computerised Information Technology Limited
Address:20 Potters Lane, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK11 3HF, United Kingdom
Telephone:+44 (0)1908 260082
Fax:+44 (0)1908 260084
Contact:Mr S C Sood
Email Address:scsood@btconnect.com
Web Address:www.cituk-online.com
Description:Manufacturer of digital computed radiography, radiograph film digitisation and electronic archive systems and specialist inspection services. Also supply turn bespoke system solutions for the oil & gas, nuclear, petrochemical, shipbuilding inspection, aerospace and rail track welds.

Corus R, D & T
Address:Swinden Technology Centre, Moorgate, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S60 3AR
Telephone:01709 820166
Fax:01709 825337
Contact:Mr C J K Lester, Principal Technologist (01709 825228)
Email Address:clive.lester@corusgroup.com
Web Address:www.corusgroup.com
Description:Research services are available in the form of testing, consultancy and feasibility studies.
The design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of purpose-built inspection systems can also be provided on a turnkey basis in the following areas: eddy current surface defect detection; computerised development facilities are available for multi-frequency eddy current evaluation in the 1 kHz to 10 MHz range in various probe configurations.
Pilot facilities are available for the development of automatic in-line inspection systems.
Ultrasonic internal defect evaluation systems are available for specialised applications, for example the assessment of inclusions and hydrogen-induced cracking.
Further research and development services are also available, primarily metals-related but potentially applicable to non-metals in the following areas: failure mechanism investigations, physical property determination, welding and corrosion performance and comprehensive X-ray stress analysis techniques.
Swinden Technology Centre offers a wide range of services drawn from the collective expertise of a 500-strong multi-disciplined workforce of one of the world's premier metallurgical laboratories. These services are available on a contract basis to organisations outside Corus.

Doosan Babcock
Address:Technology and Engineering, Porterfield Road, Renfrew, Scotland PA4 8DJ
Telephone:0141 886 4141
Fax:0141 885 3338
Contact:Mr F J Hancock, Principal Engineer NDT Technology, Direct Tel: 0141 885 3894; Direct Fax: 0141 885 3700
Email Address:fhancock@doosanbabcock.com
Web Address:www.doosanbabcock.com
Description:With over 30 years' experience and 40 permanent staff based at Renfrew, Doosan Babcock provides services that encompass the full breadth of technology transfer from research and development to the design and manufacture of specialised equipment and systems to providing site application. Its worldwide reputation is based on providing high-quality, high-integrity inspection, always with an eye to practical application.
The capability includes:
  • conventional and specifically developed ultrasonic and eddy current techniques (TOFD/phased array);
  • automated ultrasonic (MIPS/GUIDE) and eddy current inspections;
  • inspection qualification, including technical justification (ASME/ENIQ);
  • procedure and equipment validation;
  • inspection of austenitic and duplex welds;
  • inspection of complex geometry components;
  • defect fingerprinting, characterisation and sizing using semi-automated equipment;
  • high-temperature ultrasonic inspection;
  • fitness-for-purpose inspections;
  • provision of ISI services;
  • use of novel solutions, including the 'swimming' robot AIRIS to provide ISI services to remote and difficult to access areas within NPP plant;
  • laser scanning to generate 3D as-built models of plant;
  • panoramic imaging;
  • offshore inspection services, including TOFD and laser scanning.
Doosan Babcock is accredited by UKAS and SWEDAC for automated UT inspections; and by UKAS for manual UT, MT, PT inspections.
Doosan Babcock offers NDT consultancy covering:
  • advice on inspection problems;
  • feasibility studies;
  • troubleshooting;
  • independent third-party review of inspection procedures;
  • group sponsored projects;
  • computer modelling of inspection capability;
  • design for inspection;
  • NDT equipment evaluation;
  • strategies for fitness-for-purpose inspections and re-validation;
  • inspection qualification;
  • risk-based and non-invasive inspection.
In addition, a range of consultancy services is offered to operators who wish to implement condition-based maintenance strategies. Development and implementation of risk-based strategies for inspection and maintenance programmes is also available.

Services associated with assessing the condition of plant and predicting the remaining life of critical components include:
  • All plant – a range of techniques are used to determine the condition of equipment including thermography, metallography, visual inspection (camera, fibroscope) and performance benchmarking.
  • Rotating Machinery and Pipework Systems – for monitoring services, ranging from setting up databases and classifying machinery through to taking measurements and carrying out analysis and diagnostics.
  • High Temperature Plant – remanent life assessment using replication techniques to evaluate creep fatigue damage. On-site services are backed up by metallurgical and chemical analysis facilities.
Doosan Babcock also carries out R&D in the fields of manual, semi-automated and fully automated ultrasonic and eddy current methods. Specialist areas include: Ultrasonic inspection of austenitic and duplex welds, development of ultrasonic and eddy current inspection techniques for difficult geometries and materials, phased array ultrasonics, hot ultrasonic inspection, TOFD technique, high-reliability computer-controlled fully automated ultrasonic inspections, inspection qualification, computer modelling of inspection capability, consultancy, troubleshooting, group sponsored projects.

E.ON Engineering Ltd
Address:Technology Centre, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Nottingham NG11 0EE
Telephone:+44 (0)2476 192313
Fax:+44 (0)115 9024003
Contact:Dr Colin R Brett, Technical Head of Inspection Management
Email Address:colin.brett@eon-engineering.com
Web Address:www.eon-uk.com/about/technology
Description:E.ON Engineering provides a comprehensive range of NDT, condition monitoring, metallurgical, and plant life assessment services.

NDT Capabilities
With over 25 years of experience inspecting power plant we have established a high-quality NDT service based on strong technical foundations, supported by metallurgical and assessment engineers who can advise on the significance of the results on future operation.
We can help you in the following areas:

NDT Contract Management: provision of a complete NDT contract management service during plant overhauls that is tailored to the needs of customers.

Audit and Surveillance of NDT Contracts: to ensure that NDT is carried out by qualified staff to approved procedures. This service includes advice on remedial actions and can be performed on site or in manufacturers' works.

Consultancy: Our extensive experience of the application of NDT enables us to offer consultancy in inspection design and NDT procedure development.

Inspection Services: all inspection methods employed are carried out by staff qualified to the highest standards in NDT. Relevant background knowledge of the engineering and metallurgical nature of the inspection ensures that the optimum technique is applied.

Condition Monitoring Capabilities
E.ON UK Technology provides a comprehensive range of condition monitoring services – adding value through our extensive engineering expertise and the use of remote data acquisition and expert system analysis.

The Condition Monitoring services can be used to determine the health of turbines, transformers, generators and motors, heat exchange surfaces, fans, pumps, mills, gearboxes, insulation and linings.

E.ON Engineering is accredited to BS EN ISO 9001 and 14001.

Euroteck Systems UK Limited
Address:Units 6-7 Kepler, Lichfield Road Industrial Estate, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7XE, England
Telephone:+44 (0)1827 312455
Fax:+44 (0)1827 312548
Contact:Mr Collin Sampson, Managing Director
Email Address:sales@euroteck.co.uk
Web Address:www.euroteck.co.uk
Description:Euroteck Systems is a Midlands-based specialist supplier of non-destructive test equipment. With staff having more than 60 years' combined experience in the NDT industry we can provide a cost-effective solution to a problem. Euroteck supplies industrial X-ray, ultrasonic and magnetic particle inspection systems with comprehensive after-sales support from its Tamworth factory.
Real-Time X-ray Inspection Facility: Specialising in real-time radiography, Euroteck Systems Inspection Division has five real-time X-ray systems, 4 microfocus systems and the latest generation hi-resolution, wide dynamic range digital scanner, producing high-quality digital X-ray images. We can inspect castings and moulded parts, up to 60 kg, down to microchips.
With microfocus, components such as printed circuit boards, electronic assemblies etc can be viewed with up to 100x magnification.
Images can be provided on CD as stills or as movies on DVD/video showing the part being manipulated in real-time.
Clients from Formula 1, aerospace, automotive, electronic/electrical and sports industries use our expertise.
X-ray, CR, digital and real-time systems, CP & portable & microfocus: Euroteck are sole agents for Durr, leaders in CR (Computed Radiography), BOSELLO who manufacture fully automatic systems and ICM for portable equipment. Approved systems integrators for GULMAY high stability constant potential X-ray from 100 kV – 420 kV. As systems integrators we can provide a custom solution to meet your requirements using the best equipment available on the market today.
Magnetic Particle and Penetrant Systems: Euroteck Systems Ltd are exclusive agents for TIEDE world leaders in MPI and penetrant equipment and consumables. We can provide fully automatic MPI and penetrant systems using TIEDE's patented OPTO-TEC image recognition and QAP control and quality monitoring systems.
NDT Systems: PC-based systems with motion control. Ultrasonic immersion scanning systems, refurbishment and upgrades with the very latest C-scan and data analysis specifications.
Calibration, Service & Repair: Repair, service and calibration on most makes and models of NDT equipment, offering full traceability to national standards.
On-site contract maintenance and calibration for most NDT disciplines, equipment hire, refurbishment and second user sales.
The company is BS EN ISO 9001:2000 registered.

Imes Ltd
Address:Campus 3, Science and Technology Park, Balgownie Drive, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8GW, UK
Telephone:01224 705777
Fax:01224 707952
Contact:Kevin Fraser, Technical Manager
Email Address:info@imes-group.com
Web Address:www.imes-group.com
Description:Imes Ltd provides a total service covering consultancy, design reviews, field engineering, inspection, document/certificate management, and legal compliance in a range of lifting equipment operations. Imes Ltd has a wide experience of managing large-scale contracts for large asset volumes that are geographically spread within industries such as defence, nuclear, marine, oil and gas.
The goal is to achieve, for customers, the elimination of in-service failure and to ensure maximum asset utilisation in a wide range of both loose and fixed lifting items and process equipment.
Imes has a number of consultant engineers supplying expert services such as defect assessment within lifting items, expert witness and design review.
Through a unique range of products, the company has the ability to apply, measure and monitor load and assess the performance of an asset's condition by utilising the following techniques:
  • Load, strain, pressure sensing, measurement and data logging.
  • AE, as a means of first point assessment for global monitoring and the source location of defective or highly-stressed regions.
  • NDT including UT, TOFD, ET,VI, MPI, DPI to evaluate such highlighted regions.
  • Rope access service to complement the test and inspection work.
As part of Imes, Buchan Inspection is a specialist provider of third party independent inspection, testing and advisory services for lifting equipment.
It is one of the few companies in the UK to gain ISO/IEC 17020 (EN 45004) UKAS for Lifting Equipment registration.
Imes engineers are qualified to at least ASNT Level II in the aforementioned disciplines with the versatility to apply the technology to both field investigations as well as to in-depth laboratory type assessments when fatigue lives are to be addressed.
Imes prides itself in the ability of its engineers to respond to customer requirements with the provision of bespoke, cost-effective solutions.

Innospection Limited
Address:Unit 1, Howemoss Avenue, Kirkhill Industrial Estate, Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 0GP, Scotland.
Telephone:01224 724744
Fax:01224 774087
Contact:Mr Andreas Boenisch
Email Address:info@innospection.com
Web Address:www.innospection.com
Description:Innospection is an advanced NDT service and solutions provider, with its main focus being on the eddy current and SLOFEC™ techniques. Including the eddy current technique, Innospection uses remote field eddy current, magnetic biased eddy current, multiple sensor scanning units and combined technique solutions.
Innospection provides advanced inspection services and application solution developments to the oil & gas industry; on and offshore, to the petrochemical, power and other process industries.
With its experienced and highly qualified inspection engineers, Innospection operates state-of-the-art computerised inspection systems for the inspection of:
  • Heat exchanger tubes
  • Boiler tubes
  • General surface crack detection.
As a main supplier for the SLOFEC™ inspection technique, Innospection offers inspection services and solutions for:
  • Pipes and pipelines
  • Storage tanks
  • Pressure vessel.
With the submersible multiple technique inspection tools, Innospection operates advanced inspection systems to scan:
  • Risers
  • Flexible risers
  • Caissons
  • And other pipe subsea structures.
With high quality advanced inspection services and innovative inspection solution developments, Innospection are working worldwide.

NDT Consultants Ltd
Address:Middlemarch House, Siskin Drive, Coventry CV3 4FJ
Telephone:02476 511151
Fax:02476 511696
Contact:Dr D S Dulay, Managing Director
Email Address:sales@ndt-consultants.co.uk
Web Address:www.ndt-consultants.co.uk
Description:NDT Consultants is well placed for customers wanting specialised inspection services, both in its spacious laboratories adjacent to Coventry Airport and UK and overseas sites. Its team of Level I, II and III engineers have a vast experience from all facets of industry, covering aerospace, automotive, petrochemicals, offshore, medical, steel production, ordinance and defence. NDT Consultants specialises in the five main technologies (UT, ET, PT, MT and RT) but supplement this with specialist applications and custom-designed technology and instruments for applications such as:
  • Eddy current heat exchanger tubing.
  • Digital radiography.
  • Ultrasonic camera.
  • Long range UT guided wave corrosion assessment.
  • Quasar resonant inspection.
Where no technology is available to assist a customer, then its Research Department may be able to develop the technology necessary.

The company is well known and respected for its activities in training and qualification in the aerospace industries, both manufacture and maintenance and both civil and military. Training and qualification for general engineering is also provided. Training may be conducted at NDT Consultants' facility or at the customer's premises at home or overseas. In addition to the standard training courses, special courses can be designed to meet customer's individual requirements for inspection, including circumstances where automated inspection creates high throughput.
The courses for the five major NDT methods, together with those for etch inspection, have accreditation from BINDT for PCN and NAS-410/SNT-TC-1A schemes.

NDT Consultants Level III staff have between them almost one and a half centuries of experience in very diverse disciplines and industrial sectors. They are retained as Level III consultants for many aerospace manufacturers, and specialise in auditing, approval of data cards, development of new techniques etc for suppliers to companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Westland Helicopter, Rolls-Royce, Dowty Aerospace etc. In addition, their Level III services may be called on for other consultancy applications as diverse as offshore, petrochemical, manufacturing, utility distribution and defence/ordinance applications.

NDT Consultants Ltd is the sole UK appointed agent for Sherwin penetrants and magnetic particle consumables. They also supply other associated accessories such as UV lamps, UV lamp change and mercury spillage kits, TAM panels, yokes and magnets and new or reconditioned MPI benches. They are also one of the world's largest suppliers of magnetic flux indicators.

Physical Acoustics Ltd
Address:Norman Way, Over, Cambridge CB24 5QE
Telephone:01954 231612
Fax:01954 231102
Contact:Mr P T Cole
Email Address:info@pacuk.co.uk
Web Address:www.pacuk.co.uk
Description:Physical Acoustics specialises in high-tech NDT and condition monitoring, from sensor to multi-channel systems for acoustic emission, ultrasonics, leak-detection, eddy current, resistivity, vibration and signal analysis. Products include dedicated systems and parts such as plug-in ultrasonic pulser and controller cards for PCs. A complete range of in-house NDT software is also available. Inspection and testing consulting services are also offered in the fields of acoustic emission, ultrasonics, eddy current and related fields.

On-line testing services:
  • TANKPAC, the only method which allows storage tank floors to be checked without product removal.
  • MONPAC the 'industry standard' for in-service testing of spheres, cryogenic tanks and LPG storage.
  • VPAC, licenced from BP, estimates through-valve leakage rates for controlling losses to flare.
  • Remote on-line monitoring of reactors and critical plant.
  • Partial Discharge (PD) location in transformers.
  • Ultrasonic inspection services using B- and C-scan and TOFD and TUBESCAN for boiler tubes.
  • Impact-echo testing of concrete structures.
  • BOXMAP testing of steel box-girders for fatigue cracks.

Courses offered: Customised short courses to acoustic emission system users. Annual summer acoustic emission short course. Procedure specific training.

Application of AE to: Composite structure testing; Pressure vessel and storage tank testing (metal); GRP tank testing (composite).

Research services offered: Research and development contracts in the field of acoustic emission, ultrasonics and related areas. Physical Acoustics Ltd has carried out research and development contracts in a wide range of application areas.

RWE Power International
Address:Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 6PB
Telephone:01793 893362
Fax:01793 892288
Contact:Roger Lyon – Section Head, Inspection Management
Email Address:sgsales@rwenpower.com
Web Address:www.nde.rwepi.com
Description:RWE Power International has used its experience and expertise to develop a number of specialised products.
  • Manufacturers and developers of EMAT technology including the supply of a selection of purpose made EMAT probes. The benefits of this technology include the ability to measure wall thickness of unpreprared tubes.
  • Developers of a Microsoft Access software database to implement, control and manage NDT contracts; the database allows for the storage and retrieval of site specific data and reports; to assess plant condition against previous inspections and to issue progress and final reports.
  • Developers of second generation plant asset register, including 3D CAD system drawings, allowing full interrogation from any visual perspective. Seamlessly linked via software allowing interrogation of individual welds or components through tagged links to a comprehensive database containing all plant records pertinent to the weld or component.
RWE Power International owns many power plants worldwide and has gained extensive experience of plant condition and essential maintenance strategies, including the value of advanced NDE inspections. In order to carry out risk-based inspections of critical components, Inspection Management (RWE Power International) has developed a number of specialised NDT inspection applications, based on time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), phased array and advanced eddy current technology. These inspection applications include:
  • Phased array inspections.
  • TOFD inspections.
  • EMAT thickness measurement.
  • Automated UT and ET inspections.
  • Generator end-ring inspection.
  • Boiler corrosion mapping.
  • In-service inspection.
  • Blade roots and fixings.
  • Rotor bore inspection.
  • Remote visual inspection.
RWE Power International has been the pilot company for the introduction of the BINDT Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering Inspection. RWE Power International is successfully steering 13 Apprentices through the scheme and is in a position to offer help and advice to other organisations that are considering developing staff in this way.
RWE Power International is actively involved with RCNDE in the development and implementation of the EngDoc scheme. With employee and non-employee graduates undertaking PhDs, RWE Power International is in a position to offer help and advice to other organisations who are considering developing staff in this way.

Sonomatic Ltd
Address:Marsham House, The Village, Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6GN
Telephone:01925 414000
Fax:01925 655595
Contact:John Pitcher, Products; Peter Conlin, Inspection Services
Email Address:info@vsonomatic.com
Web Address:www.vsonomatic.com
Description:Sonomatic is a multi-disciplined engineering design, development, manufacturing, and application services organisation, providing innovative solutions to clients' challenges in the field of non-destructive testing.
Sonomatic has over twenty years' experience of providing 'state-of-the-art' products and services, with the main focus on the use of ultrasound. The company's core product is Microplus, a multi-channel digital data acquisition and imaging system that can execute a broad range of applications using various techniques. In addition Sonomatic offers procedure development, consultancy, and training. Sonomatic is the forerunner in the application of time-of-flight diffraction and has continued to provide a consistent quality of service to the customer base. Sonomatic maintains the competency and expertise which makes it the market leader in this field. This statement is validated by the consistency of results from client trials and round robin exercises.
In order to maximise the benefit of inspection to clients, Sonomatic also offers a range of consultancy services related to equipment integrity. Non-intrusive inspection assessment, planning and evaluation is a major activity within this area. Sonomatic is the leading provider of NII services in the North Sea and the extensive experience in this area helps clients realise the benefits of an effective approach. Integrity support services also cover development and implementation of integrity management plans, these being based on an in-depth understanding of the role of inspection in the safe and efficient management of equipment. Fitness-for-service assessments are provided for clients and robust solutions are provided through detailed analysis based on high-quality inspection data provided by Sonomatic Field Services. A range of statistical analysis methodologies have also been developed and these ensure that the value of inspection data, as used in the integrity management process, is maximised.

Sonomatic Ltd
Address:Unit 14, Claymore Drive, Technology Centre, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8GD
Telephone:01224 823960
Fax:01224 823871
Contact:George Byers
Email Address:info@vsonomatic.com
Web Address:www.vsonomatic.com
Description:Sonomatic is a multi-disciplined engineering design, development, manufacturing, and application services organisation, providing innovative solutions to clients' challenges in the field of non-destructive testing.
Sonomatic has over twenty years' experience of providing 'state-of-the-art' products and services, with the main focus on the use of ultrasound. The company's core product is Microplus, a multi-channel digital data acquisition and imaging system that can execute a broad range of applications using various techniques. In addition Sonomatic offers procedure development, consultancy, and training. Sonomatic is the forerunner in the application of time-of-flight diffraction and has continued to provide a consistent quality of service to the customer base. Sonomatic maintains the competency and expertise which makes it the market leader in this field. This statement is validated by the consistency of results from client trials and round robin exercises.
In order to maximise the benefit of inspection to clients, Sonomatic also offers a range of consultancy services related to equipment integrity. Non-intrusive inspection assessment, planning and evaluation is a major activity within this area. Sonomatic is the leading provider of NII services in the North Sea and the extensive experience in this area helps clients realise the benefits of an effective approach. Integrity support services also cover development and implementation of integrity management plans, these being based on an in-depth understanding of the role of inspection in the safe and efficient management of equipment. Fitness-for-service assessments are provided for clients and robust solutions are provided through detailed analysis based on high-quality inspection data provided by Sonomatic Field Services. A range of statistical analysis methodologies have also been developed and these ensure that the value of inspection data, as used in the integrity management process, is maximised.

Stephen Betts & Sons Ltd
Address:49-63 Spencer Street, Birmingham B18 6DE and Unit 2 Joesph Wilson Ind Est, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3PS
Telephone:0121 233 2413
Fax:0121 233 0284
Contact:Peter Pring or Karen Martin
Email Address:support@bettsmetals.co.uk
Web Address:www.bettsmetals.co.uk
Description:Betts Envirometal, a divison of the Stephen Betts Group of companies, is a specialist in refining scrap industrial X-ray film in a secure and safe manner. We also collect any hazardous waste from fixer, developer, acids, oil – the list is endless.
Please contact us for a quotation and a free site survey to assess your individual needs.

Technology Centre
Address:Technology Centre, VINCI Construction UK, Stanbridge Road, Leighton Buzzard LU7 4QH
Telephone:01525 859050
Fax:01525 859001
Contact:Steve Shanahan
Email Address:technologycentre@vinciconstruction.co.uk
Web Address:www.vinciconstruction.co.uk/technologycentre
Description:The Technology Centre comprises a team of engineers, consultants and scientists dedicated to providing innovative solutions for the construction industry.
The team combines a unique blend of experience and skills across a range of disciplines as varied as the industry in which we operate.
Services offered include:
Building pathology
Building information modelling
CDM and risk management
Compliance testing including cladding, air tightness, acoustic, structural
Environment and sustainability consultancy
Sustainable energy management

Technology Centre is a trading name of VINCI Construction UK

TWI Ltd
Address:Corporate headquarters: Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AL
Telephone:01223 899000
Fax:01223 892588
Contact:Doug Wylie
Email Address:twi@twi.co.uk
Web Address:www.twi.co.uk
Description:Also: www.twitraining.com

TWI NDT
TWI has been at the forefront of non-destructive testing (NDT) of fabricated structures for more than 40 years. The NDT Technology Section is a group of engineers, consultants and technicians dedicated to the development and successful implementation of the full spectrum of non-destructive testing. TWI's aim is to provide cost savings and reliability assurance to customers through the development of innovative inspection solution and by interfacing with related technologies such as engineering critical assessment, risk-based inspection strategies, reliability analysis and repair procedure development.

TWI Training & Examination Services
TWI offers a range of courses. In conventional NDT, courses include VT, PT, MT, ET, UT, RT and RI. Advanced NDT courses cover automated and manual phased array UT, long-range UT, ToFD, ACFM and digital radiography.
Inspection-based courses include welding inspection, welding supervision, plant inspection, piping and tankage inspection, painting and coatings, cathodic protection, risk-based inspection and fitness-for-purpose assessment.
The training and assessment is accredited by BINDT, CSWIP, AWS and CSWIP/BGAS.
Our Level 3 staff also offer Outside Agency services to customers who require CSWIP Employer Specific or SNT-TC-1A certification and technical support.
Training and certification services are offered at our comprehensive facilities at Abington, Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, Rotherham and Port Talbot or at other locations worldwide.

TWI Technology Centre (North East)
Address:Aurora Court, Riverside Park, Middlesbrough TS2 1RY
Telephone:01642 210512
Fax:01642 252218
Contact:Gerry Glover, Senior NDT Engineer
Email Address:gerry.glover@twi.co.uk
Web Address:
Description:Comprehensive NDT, welding technology training and examinations, including:
  • ACFM technology.
  • Manual ultrasonic testing.
  • Long-range ultrasonic testing.
  • Automated ultrasonic testing.
  • Digital radiography.
  • Eddy current testing.
  • Magnetic particle and penetrant testing.
  • Manual phased array ultrasonic testing.
  • Radiographic testing and interpretation.
  • Welding inspection.
  • Welding technology qualifications.
  • Practical welder qualifications.
  • Plastics welder training.
  • Plant inspection.
  • Tank inspection.
TWI Technology Centre (North East)'s underwater facility provides a complementary suite of courses to CSWIP and Lloyd's certification. The diving centre is designed to meet the needs of the offshore industry.
The training and examination centre is accredited by BINDT and offers examination for PCN, CSWIP, ASNT, AWS and British Gas approvals.

Ultes Ltd
Address:14/3 Tokmakov Lane, 105066 Moscow, Russia
Telephone:+7 495 267 99 77
Fax:
Contact:Oleg Shcherbakov, General Director
Email Address:info@ultes.info
Web Address:
Description:Ultes Ltd produces multi-channel UST devices and specialised auxiliaries.
Automised UST systems used for the production of pipes, rolls etc:
  • AUST systems for inspection of thin walled stainless steel and titanium pipes of low diameter.
  • AUST system for inspection of pipe joints.
  • AUST system for inspection of pipe ends.
  • AUST system for inspection of rolling mills' rolls.
  • AUST system for inspection of pistons, rings and rotating bodies.
Based on multi-channel (8, 16, 32 channels) flaw detector AUSTU 'scanner'.
Mechanised systems for MUST performed with automatic decoding and saving of test results. Used for pipelines, in the field and at factories:
  • MUST 'Skaruch' used for scanning inspection of welded joints and scanning thickness gauging of main material.
  • MUST system for gas cylinders inspection.
  • MUST system for shafts inspection.
  • MUST system for polyethylene pipes inspection.
Based on 8-channel flaw detector 'Scanner':
Manual devices for UST:
  • US flaw detector 'Scanner' (8 channels).
  • Piezoelectric general purpose transducers (normal, angle).
  • Specialised focusing transducers of chord and 'Duet' types for UST of welded joints of thin walled pipes of low diameter.
  • Specialised transducers tracking acoustic contact, enabling inspection through a sound-conducting coating with automatic frequency level maintenance.
  • Specialised transducers for underwater UST.
  • Specialised transducers for UST of polyethylene pipes' welded joints.
Ultes Ltd develops new methods and techniques of UST, designs unique devices, makes inspection researches of new materials, as well as detection of flaw dimensions.
The company employs highly qualified experts in sonic methods of control, electronic engineers, programmers and designers.
The leading experts of the company have been awarded the international Roentgen-Sokolov medal.

University of Manchester
Address:SISP Group, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester, PO Box 88, Manchester M60 1QD
Telephone:0161 200 4886/8
Fax:0161 200 8903
Contact:Professor R J Dewhurst (ext 4886) or Dr P A Gaydecki (ext 4906)
Email Address:richard.dewhurst@manchester.ac.uk
Web Address:
Description:Research services offered: Range of NDT techniques for sensing – using ultrasound, optical and magnetic techniques. Laser-generated and laser-detected ultrasound. Shearography. Piezoelectric polymers for transducers. EMATs. Signal analysis and synthesis for NDT. Imaging techniques from optical magnetic or ultrasonic signals. Acoustic emission analysis. Materials characterisation.
Together with numerous research projects, we offer a Masters Training Programme with NDT measurements forming part of the modular content. Modules are offered for sale in two weekly slots. Measurement techniques and digital signal processing are available within these modules.

University of Warwick
Address:Ultrasonics & NDT Group, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
Telephone:02476 573877
Fax:02476 692016
Contact:Steve Dixon
Email Address:s.m.dixon@warwick.ac.uk
Web Address:www.warwick.ac.uk/staff/S.M.Dixon
Description:Ultrasonic propagation, ultrasound interactions with defects. Non-contact generation and detection of ultrasound, particularly using either EMAT or laser-based techniques.
We are studying the alternative methods of generating ultrasound without contact with the test-piece. We have a range of pulsed lasers for generation and laser interferometers for detection in addition to miniature EMATs. Industrial applications are investigated on hot or rough or thin or moving components.

Vidisco Ltd
Address:32 Haharoshet Street, Or-Yehuda 60375, Israel
Telephone:0097235333001
Fax:0097235333002
Contact:Mr Ron Pincu
Email Address:sales@vidisco.com
Web Address:www.vidisco.com
Description:Vidisco is a world leader in innovative DR systems. Our systems are used all around the world for many NDT applications.

Vidisco offers 2 types of digital Amorphous Silicon (A-Si) Flat Panel Based systems, the Flat fox-17 and the fox-Rayzor. These fine systems provide high performance with high resolution (approx 4 lp/mm) and excellent dynamic range (14 Bit images). With our systems you can take an unlimited amount of images and the image appears digitally within a few seconds of the X-Ray shot.

1. The Flat-fox-17 active area size is 28.4 x 40.6 cm or ~12" x 16". The Flat fox-17 Panel has a 14 Bit dynamic range imager (16,384 grey levels) that provides superb images.

2. The fox-Rayzor active area size is 48 cm2 or ~ 9" x 9". The foX-Rayzor is categorically the thinnest digital imager ever produced – it is only 13 mm thick and is thinner than a film cassette. The fox-Rayzor has 14 Bit dynamic range imager (16,384 grey levels) that provides superb images.

Both systems are completely interchangeable, the main difference is the imager's active area and the thickness of the imager.

These unique equipment packages are the only truly portable flat panel lightweight systems in the market that can also be used as stationary systems and can be connected to many existing continuous industrial X-ray sources and isotopes. Vidisco's portable systems provide efficient inspection anywhere, anytime.

When saying portable, we mean that the entire system including the pulsed X-ray source is contained in one case which is easily carried by a single operator and can be used anywhere in the field, without the need for an AC power supply as our systems are fully battery operated. All our systems are extremely safe due to very low exposure times and fast set-up.