News
03/04/2020 AVT Reliability Inc launches in the USA
Market-leading plant reliability specialist AVT Reliability® has opened its first subsidiary in the USA. The move is part of a clear plan to expand its global reach, following the recent acquisition of Van Geffen in the Netherlands.
02/04/2020 Chemetall Limited announces office move
The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, has moved to a new facility in Milton Keynes, UK. Christophe Cazabeau, Senior Vice President Surface Treatment of BASF, officially opened the new Chemetall Limited office and laboratory facility at Napier House during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
01/04/2020 Baugh & Weedon paves the way for Kodak’s imaging legacy to return to the NDT market in the UK and Ireland
Baugh & Weedon Ltd has announced that, from 1 April 2020, it will be the UK and Ireland distribution partner for Kodak industrial X-ray films, working alongside the Kodak team in Rochester, USA, to deliver the very best in film quality and choice for the NDT industry.
31/03/2020 Auxiliary Engineering Support for field hospitals - volunteers needed
Would you be prepared to volunteer to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic?
As you are probably aware, there are a number of new medical facilities being built in London, Manchester and Birmingham to treat patients with COVID-19.
27/03/2020 Thin-film ultrasonic sensor from Novosound
Scotland-based Novosound is preparing to launch its first flexible thin-film ultrasound sensor for inspecting curved surfaces, after securing a £3.3 million (approximately US$4.3 million) investment in its technology.
26/03/2020 Advanced condition-based maintenance for autonomous ships
The NYK Group has concluded a joint research agreement for developing advanced condition-based maintenance (CBM), a new maintenance and management process for ship machineries, and has started verification during actual ship operation.
25/03/2020 Detechtion releases Enbase Asset Monitor
Detechtion Technologies, a global provider of condition monitoring products, has launched the Enbase asset monitor, a system for remotely monitoring the run status and location of natural gas and oilfield equipment.
24/03/2020 SKF equipment used to control costs
SKF has designed a condition-based monitoring programme for the marine industry to enable ship operators to control costs and avoid damaging equipment breakdowns.
23/03/2020 Micro-Epsilon scanners enable height measurement and presence detection of beer bottles in moving crates
Non-contact laser scanners from Micro-Epsilon are being used to quickly and reliably recognise if all of the beer bottles are present and of the correct type in returned crates.
23/03/2020 UTA developing better bridge inspections
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has received funding from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to use a testing system invented by a university researcher to inspect bridges for repairs without disrupting Texas commuters.
20/03/2020 Envirosuite to acquire EMS Brüel & Kjær
Australian environmental management technology firm Envirosuite Limited (EVS) has announced that it will acquire EMS Brüel & Kjær Holdings Pty Ltd (EMS), a noise and vibration monitoring technology company, combining to create a global leader in environmental technology.
20/03/2020 AMS introduces contactless vibration sensor
AMS has introduced the laser-based optical Vocalzoom sensor, designed to measure and analyse vibrations, for example from machine parts, at a distance of up to 3 m without contact.
19/03/2020 High Technology Sources Limited becomes Zetec UK distributor
High Technology Sources Limited (HTSL) has announced a new distribution agreement with Zetec, a global leader in phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) and eddy current testing (ECT), to enhance and expand the comprehensive offering HTSL brings to the UK NDT industry.
18/03/2020 Thermal imagers
Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has introduced two thermal imagers for industrial environments that are both compact and robust, offering advanced thermal imaging functions at a price level normally associated with single-point pyrometers.
18/03/2020 MFL inspection system
Building on a decade of field experience with the previous-generation Silverwing Pipescan, Eddyfi Technologies has launched an improved magnetic flux leakage (MFL) inspection system that elevates this proven technology to a new level for rapid screening of corrosion in ferrous pipes and surfaces.
17/03/2020 BAM leads new project on structural health monitoring of safety-relevant structures
Over the next four years, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) will coordinate a new EU project aimed at safer and more reliable operation of chemical plants, pipelines, transport systems and aeronautical structures. The guided waves for structural health monitoring (GW4SHM) project brings together 20 partners from academia and industry across Europe to train a new generation of researchers in all aspects of structural health monitoring (SHM). Funded by €3.9 million from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, the goal of this project is to transform research into practical application.
17/03/2020 Oceaneering NDT expert recognised as innovation influencer
Jim McNab, NDT Subject Matter Expert at Oceaneering International, has been recognised by E&P Magazine in its list of Energy Innovators for 2020. Nominated by peers and colleagues, all of the people in the list have shown a dedication to advancing technologies in the oil & gas industry and have demonstrated strong leadership in ensuring the innovations and cutting-edge technologies will help to facilitate a thriving future for the industry for generations to come.
16/03/2020 HPE partners with NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is partnering with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies for efficient data centre operation.
16/03/2020 Accelerometer with built-in noise filtering function
ROHM Group company Kionix has announced the availability of an accelerometer ideal for high-accuracy, low-power motion-sensing applications in the industrial equipment and consumer wearable markets.
12/03/2020 High-performance thermal camera
FLIR Systems has announced the FLIR T860, the latest addition to the high-performance T-Series family. This new thermal camera is the first to feature on-board Inspection Route software, said to be ideal for streamlining inspections of critical assets, including power substation components, distribution lines, manufacturing equipment or facility electrical and mechanical systems. By running a pre-planned route through the camera, thermal inspectors can spend less time in the field and face less hassle when creating survey reports.
12/03/2020 Cloud-based software platform
Floodlight Software has announced that its new cloud-based non-destructive testing (NDT)/non-destructive evaluation (NDE) management software platform is out of beta and is now publicly available. Developed to help meet the need for digital transformation in the NDT/NDE industry, Floodlight Software is a basis on which service providers can build their digital infrastructure.
11/03/2020 Inspection trainee recognised with BINDT award
A Bilfinger Salamis UK trainee has been recognised for his exceptional performance and dedication to the field of NDT at a national awards ceremony.
11/03/2020 Publication of HOIS Recommended Practice for Non-Intrusive Inspection and Guidance Notes
HOIS has announced the launch of an updated recommended practice for non-intrusive inspection (NII) of pressure vessels (HOIS-RP-103), the result of HOIS work on NII guidance. HOIS first looked at this area in the early 2000s, driven by HOIS member asset owners/operators and the UK regulator (the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)), aiming to provide a structured approach to the NII process to ensure consistency of application.
10/03/2020 Harbour Group acquires SpotSee Holdings
Jeff Fox, Harbour Group’s Chair and CEO, has announced that SpotSee Holdings and its subsidiaries are now part of the Harbour Group family of companies. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
10/03/2020 Fujitsu wins first prize
Airbus SE has awarded Fujitsu first prize in its Airbus AiGym competition. The global aerospace manufacturer’s competition was devised to pinpoint the most accurate unsupervised predictive artificial intelligence (AI) capability for helicopters.
09/03/2020 Image analysis software
The release of Olympus Stream image analysis software version 2.4.2 gives users even more tools to ensure quality in manufacturing. The software release includes an improved image analysis solution to measure and rate non-metallic inclusion content in high-purity steel. The new inclusion content mode detects and classifies individual fields on a large scan area, expanding on the software’s capabilities to detect and classify individual inclusions in worst field mode.
06/03/2020 North Star Imaging UK technical event
North Star Imaging (NSI) UK recently added a new dual-tube (225 kV and 450 kV) X5000 CT system to its portfolio and is celebrating the addition of this new system with an X-ray and computed tomography (CT) demonstration in High Wycombe, UK. The technical workshop will include presentations from representatives of Volume Graphics and Instron. NSI UK has been successfully operating in the UK for over five years and will be sharing the benefits of its industrial X-ray imaging services with those who have yet to see its facility and experience the equipment’s full capabilities in real time. The event is taking place on Tuesday 24 March.
06/03/2020 Westinghouse acquires UK inspection company Inspection Consultants Limited
On 8 January 2020, Westinghouse Electric Company announced the acquisition of Inspection Consultants Limited (InCon), a leading UK-based provider of inspection services. This acquisition strengthens Westinghouse’s ability to support the existing operating nuclear fleet, as well as in-service inspection customers outside of the nuclear industry.
05/03/2020 Engineering gender pay gap in the UK less than feared, but still requires action
Research published recently by the Royal Academy of Engineering indicates that the gender pay gap is smaller in the engineering profession than the UK employee average. The mean (10.8%) and median (11.4%) pay gap for engineers in the sample analysed is around two thirds the national average.
04/03/2020 US Department of Defense looks to predictive maintenance
In its efforts to make greater use of commercial technologies, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has expanded its predictive maintenance effort designed to keep front-line aircraft ready for duty.
03/03/2020 BINDT registration with the Engineering Council
The engineering profession in the UK is regulated by the Engineering Council (EC) through 35 engineering institutions (Licensed Members, of which the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing is one) that are licensed to put suitably qualified members on the EC’s Register of Engineers. The Register has three sections: Chartered Engineer; Incorporated Engineer; and Engineering Technician. These titles are protected by the EC’s Royal Charter and may only be used by registrants.
02/03/2020 New UK visa scheme announced for international researchers
The UK government has recently announced changes to Tier 1 visas for researchers. A new fast-track visa scheme to attract the world’s top scientists, researchers and mathematicians opened on 20 February 2020. This follows a commitment by the Prime Minister last summer to put science, research and innovation at the top of the government’s agenda.
25/02/2020 ADNOC selects Honeywell platform
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has selected Honeywell’s asset monitoring and predictive analytics solution to drive improved asset and machinery management across its upstream and downstream operations. Leveraging artificial intellience (AI) technologies such as machine learning and digital twins, the platform is expected to help generate significant yearly savings through reduced unplanned maintenance and increased reliability, uptime and safety.
24/02/2020 Axiomtek’s new system
Axiomtek, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance PC-based industrial computer products, has introduced the ICO320-83C, a fanless DIN-rail embedded system with four RJ-45 Gigabit power over Ethernet (PoE) ports for connection with cameras.
21/02/2020 Condition monitoring for predictive maintenance
Nord Drivesystems has launched condition monitoring for predictive maintenance (PdM) concepts.
20/02/2020 Toshiba Group develops inspection technology for plant facilities and equipment in high and inaccessible places
Toshiba Corporation and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (ESS), companies dedicated to providing industry with solutions that raise operational efficiency and productivity, have developed a drone-based inspection technology for complex industrial locations, such as power plants, oil refineries and chemical manufacture facilities.
19/02/2020 Wärtsilä takes predictive maintenance to the next level
The technology group Wärtsilä has announced the launch of its Expert Insight predictive maintenance product. This digital product enables customer support to be delivered proactively by Wärtsilä Expertise Centres to ensure long-term accurate insight for their predictive maintenance strategies. The product is available in combination with a Wärtsilä Lifecycle Solutions agreement.
19/02/2020 Senseye and Malone Group announce alliance
Senseye has announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Malone Group to support the deployment of its pioneering predictive maintenance (PdM) software in the UK, Ireland and Canada.
18/02/2020 New features added to condition monitoring system
Dynapar has introduced upgrades to its Dynapar OnSite™ condition monitoring system, offering greater flexibility, compatibility and adaptability to help users successfully anticipate breakdowns and plan maintenance schedules accordingly.
17/02/2020 Compact CMMs
A range of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) has been introduced by British manufacturer LK Metrology, offering high accuracy and repeatability in a compact footprint. Built at the company’s factory near Derby, the new ALTERAC machines are available in three sizes: 7.7.5, 10.7.5 and 10.7.7, their respective X-, Y- and Z-axis movements being 700 × 650 × 500 mm, 1000 × 650 × 500 mm and 1000 × 650 × 650 mm. Typical applications are likely to be found in industries with demanding inspection requirements, such as aerospace, automotive, medical, etc.
17/02/2020 High-precision thermal testing
FLIR Systems’ T530/T540 thermal imaging cameras are designed to offer research and development (R&D) scientists and engineers the resolution, crisp imagery and temperature accuracy needed to help improve product design, increase efficiency or gain insight into a target’s thermal behaviour.
14/02/2020 Bloodhound LSR – back on the road to making history
The Bloodhound Land Speed Record (LSR) team is in a celebratory mood, having successfully completed the crucial high-speed testing phase of the programme, during which it notched eye-watering speeds of 628 mph (1010 km/h). This places the Bloodhound LSR car, unofficially, as the sixth fastest car of all time.
13/02/2020 X-ray fluorescence analyser
The Vanta Element hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyser offers speed and ease of use in a variety of test environments, including scrap recycling and metal manufacturing. Users can obtain clear material and grade identifications in seconds and compare alloy grades on the instrument’s screen. With a dual-core processor and powered by Olympus’s proven Axon™ technology, the Vanta Element analyser has the same stability and resolution as the rest of the Vanta series for rapid sorting and a fast return on investment.
13/02/2020 High-performance OES analyser
Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science Corporation, a Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation wholly owned subsidiary engaged in the manufacture and sales of analysis and measuring instruments, has launched the OE750, a ground-breaking new optical emission spectrometer for verifying demanding metals specifications in foundries and metal production.
12/02/2020 Offline vibration monitoring equipment market uncertainty prevails
HTF MI has recently introduced a study, titled: ‘Global offline vibration monitoring equipment market insights, forecast to 2025’.
12/02/2020 ClassNK concludes joint research agreement
Classification Society ClassNK has concluded a joint research agreement for developing advanced condition-based maintenance (CBM), a new maintenance and management process for engine machinery plants, and establishing a new classification survey scheme based on CBM.
11/02/2020 New NDT Programme Manager and Lecturers appointed
Alexander Tsougranis has been appointed as TWI Training’s NDT Programme Manager for the UK and Europe. Alexander is a mechanical engineer specialising in engineering education with CEng status.
11/02/2020 ExRobotics and Yokogawa collaborate to accelerate adoption of robotics for inspection of facilities in hazardous environments
ExRobotics BV, a Netherlands-based developer of robotics technology for hazardous environments, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation, a global provider of industrial automation, control and measurement technology, have announced the signing of a licensing agreement that will enable Yokogawa to sell and deploy ExRobotics’ inspection robot hardware and software platforms worldwide.
10/02/2020 PCB completes construction of $1 million clean room facility
PCB Piezotronics Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of MTS Systems Corporation, has announced the completion of new environmentally controlled clean rooms totalling 4300 ft2 at its Walden Avenue headquarters. Earlier this year, the sensor manufacturer began assembly of all pressure and force products at the new state-of-the-art facility.
10/02/2020 BAM and the University of Birmingham extend MoU and launch joint research centre
On 5 December 2019, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) and the University of Birmingham extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another three years. As part of this agreement, they are launching a virtual research centre for chemistry and materials sciences. The joint research centre will initially focus on materials characterisation, catalytic chemistry and corrosion research. In addition, the partners plan to work more closely together in the area of energy research.
