News
27/09/2021 Engineering profession sets out six clear areas for investment ahead of government’s spending review
Exactly one month before the government is due to deliver the Budget, including its spending review for the next three years, 42 engineering organisations representing more than 450,000 UK engineers have outlined six urgent actions vital to ensuring we have the right skills and investments in place to both grow and decarbonise the economy.
27/09/2021 Phased array ultrasound system
Zetec has introduced Emerald, an advanced compact industrial phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) system with what the company claims is the most powerful and versatile total focusing method (TFM) image processing capability in its class. Emerald delivers industrial-grade PAUT acquisition and TFM analysis tools in an easy-to-integrate package.
24/09/2021 AVT Reliability makes Android app free to single users
AVT Reliability® has made its Machine Sentry® Android application available at no cost with the launch of a free single-user licence for the condition monitoring system.
22/09/2021 Andrew Ball awarded BINDT’s COMADIT Prize
Awarded each year by the CM Technical Committee of the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, the COMADIT Prize is given for significant contribution through research and development in any branch of condition monitoring to the benefit of industry or society.
21/09/2021 BINDT announces 2020 CM Innovation Award winner
BINDT’s CM Innovation Award is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to technology innovation, technology transfer or technology strategy in the field of condition monitoring (CM). This prestigious prize is awarded each year by the British Institute of NDT’s Condition Monitoring Technical Committee (CMTC).
20/09/2021 FLIR launches new cameras
FLIR has launched the A500f and A700f Advanced Smart Sensor ruggedised thermal cameras, which feature high-temperature detection for extreme environments paired with on-camera analytics and alarm capabilities, making them ideal for industrial early fire detection or outdoor condition monitoring applications.
16/09/2021 AI-based predictive maintenance solution
QuickLogic Corporation, a developer of ultra-low-power multi-core voice-enabled systems on chips (SoCs), embedded FPGA IP and end-point artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, has announced that its customer, aiSensing, has developed an AI-enabled Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solution that can determine multiple fault modes for predictive maintenance applications.
15/09/2021 Vibration monitoring in vessel performance trial
Car carrier operator Neptune Lines is hosting shipboard trials of a next-level digital service for marine powertrain condition analysis in a collaborative initiative between METIS Cyberspace Technology and Geislinger.
14/09/2021 High-precision 3D measurement sensor
Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has introduced a new range of high-precision 3D snapshot measurement sensors that are suitable for automated in-line measurement of the geometry, shape and surface quality of objects. The sensors stand out due to their extremely high resolution and repeatability, as well as their large measuring area.
13/09/2021 Software offers true digital continuity with a central interface
Predictive maintenance is one of the big promises emerging from Industry 4.0 developments, but it can be difficult to achieve, due to the lack of data synchronisation and continuity between inspection results and reporting. Or, to put it differently, there is no use for big data without connecting different sources in a meaningful way. The risk is that asset owners and operators might face a lack of critical information related to the asset’s health status.
10/09/2021 Bilfinger wins additional order at Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant
The second-largest power generator in the world, EDF Energy, has commissioned Bilfinger to carry out inspection services for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, currently under construction in Somerset.
10/09/2021 Zetec webinar focuses on bolt hole eddy current inspections for aerospace
Zetec Inc has published its latest on-demand webinar detailing a more effective approach to one of the most common and critical NDT applications in aerospace maintenance, repair and operations (MRO): inspections of bolt holes in multi-layer materials.
09/09/2021 BINDT Practitioner Award winner for 2020 announced
Jason Rush of Ultramag Inspection Services Ltd has been named as the winner of BINDT’s Practitioner Award for 2020.
09/09/2021 New data suggests increase in number of women in engineering
New analysis from EngineeringUK has shown 14.5% of those working in engineering are female, which is an increase from 12% as reported in 2018.
03/09/2021 Ionix celebrates ten-year milestone
Ionix Advanced Technologies, a leading manufacturer of advanced piezoelectric ceramics and ultrasound devices, celebrated its tenth anniversary in August 2021 as it looks forward to the next decade and future advancements in Ionix-enabled sensing and monitoring.
03/09/2021 Applus+ successfully completes remote inspection of a 500-ton crane
Applus+ recently carried out the remote inspection of a 500-ton crane for a major oil & gas client in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
02/09/2021 AVT Reliability seals partnership with Teledyne FLIR
AVT Reliability® has announced a partnership with world-leading thermal imaging camera manufacturer Teledyne FLIR.
01/09/2021 Jacobs joins Nuclear AMRC to drive supply chain innovation
Jacobs has joined the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), based at the University of Sheffield in the UK, to drive innovation in advanced nuclear technologies.
01/09/2021 Waygate Technologies launches new robotic inspection and cleaning service
Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business and a world leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions for industrial inspection, is launching a new service that uses state-of-the-art robotics to provide the safe and efficient inspection and cleaning of industrial boilers. The service, called BRIC (an acronym for boiler robotic inspection and cleaning), is said to eliminate any physical risk to inspectors, provide more precise data than any previous inspection technology in this field and dramatically cut inspection costs for customers in sectors such as the chemical, paper manufacturing and energy industries.
24/08/2021 Novosound enables efficient corrosion management programmes driven by real-time data
Catastrophic safety failures and significant revenue losses can occur when corrosion goes unchecked. Recent figures report that corrosion costs production and manufacturing industries a staggering $17 billion (approximately £12.4 billion) per year. It is through energy losses, leakages and shutdowns for unplanned maintenance that these revenue losses occur, but currently it is difficult and costly to inspect every pipe and the supporting metal infrastructure for the progression of corrosion.
23/08/2021 NPL and partners developing the digitalisation of testing
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), along with an industrial-academic consortium it is working in partnership with, have collectively secured a £15m grant to deliver a ‘Smarter Testing’ programme sponsored by the Aerospace Technology Institute.
23/08/2021 Tomorrow’s Engineers Week to take inspiration from COP26
How engineers and engineering can contribute to tackling climate change and achieving net zero will be the main themes of the next Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, due to be held from 8 to 12 November 2021.
19/08/2021 Parker’s new generation of oil condition monitoring technology
Parker Hannifin, a global leader in motion and control technologies, has announced an innovative oil condition monitoring technology that is set to help marine operators reduce downtime, reduce costs and protect assets.
18/08/2021 US Air Force to expand C3 AI platform deployment
The US Air Force (USAF) has expanded an agreement with C3 AI to deploy company-built artificial intelligence (AI) software to support predictive analytics and maintenance work for additional 20 military aircraft platforms.
13/08/2021 Creaform portable metrology solutions take Andritz Hydro measurement capability to a new level
Creaform, a worldwide leader in portable 3D measurement solutions and engineering services, has a new customer in Andritz Hydro GmbH, a global supplier of electromechanical equipment and services from ‘water-to-wire’ for hydropower plants. Andritz has extended its metrology portfolio with the Creaform solutions, now being more flexible with the portable solutions and able to respond more quickly to internal and external measurement requests.
12/08/2021 Advancing the next generation of science facilities
Two globally renowned Oxfordshire research facilities are set to benefit from £4 million funding aimed at offering the next generation of neutron and X-ray science. Scientists at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) will use the funding to lay the groundwork for future development of both major facilities. This will keep them at the cutting edge of what is scientifically possible.
11/08/2021 ABB collaborates with Equinor
ABB has begun a pilot project with Equinor in Norway, at the Gina Krog platform in the North Sea.
10/08/2021 Siemens introduces Bluetooth-based machine learning system
Siemens has introduced Sitrans SCM IQ, a Bluetooth-based machine learning system with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors, a gateway and an app for condition monitoring in the IIoT.
05/08/2021 Calls for £40m urgent investment in careers provision
A new report calls on government to invest £40 million in improving access to careers provision for students in schools and colleges in England, to enable more young people to understand the opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and support the drive to ‘build back better’ and ‘level up’ across the UK in a post-COVID world.
04/08/2021 Cygnus success in collaboration with Deep Trekker
The Cygnus Mini ROV Mountable thickness gauge has been specially designed to be mounted onto small observation remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) with or without a manipulator facility. Most recently, Cygnus worked with the renowned Canadian ROV and crawler specialist manufacturer Deep Trekker to achieve full integration with its unique and polyvalent ROVs.
03/08/2021 Applus+ delivers NDT for alternative energy provider in Western United States
Applus+ is providing non-destructive testing (NDT) technical services for an international energy company specialising in alternative and renewable geothermal technologies.
02/08/2021 Industry-first LiDAR sensor drone trial conducted at Bacton Gas Terminal
Working in collaboration, leading operations, maintenance and asset integrity contractor Bilfinger and leading commercial drone providers RUAS and Heliguy have completed an industry-first trial of pioneering L1 LiDAR sensor drone technology at Shell UK’s Bacton Gas Plant.
26/07/2021 Zetec webinar features ultrasonic inspection solution for HDPE butt fusion joints
Zetec Inc, a global leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) technology, has released a new on-demand webinar featuring real-world techniques and case studies on an optimal ultrasonic inspection solution for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) butt fusion joints.
23/07/2021 Tritex NDT leading the way in drone thickness measurements
Tritex NDT has for many years been manufacturing ultrasonic thickness gauges and is now established as one of the leading companies offering multiple-echo gauges. Multiple-echo technology means that thickness measurements can be taken through 6 mm-thick coatings, as only the metal substrate is measured. It does not matter whether the coating is paint, epoxy or bitumen; it is completely ignored. This has huge advantages over having to remove coatings, with savings in both time and money. It also has a big advantage when developing a drone thickness gauge. There has always been a requirement to take thickness measurements at height and up until recently this has been carried out using scaffolding or rope access techniques. However, with the Tritex Multigauge 6000 dedicated drone thickness gauge, first developed over three years ago, this is now a lot safer and more cost-effective than before.
20/07/2021 Jacobs secures asset management role with UK’s NDA
Jacobs has been selected to provide asset management solutions to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the public body in charge of cleaning up legacy facilities in the UK.
20/07/2021 Ultimo and UReason launch joint solution
Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) platform provider Ultimo and Asset Performance Management (APM) specialist UReason have integrated their respective platform functions to provide real-time asset condition monitoring.
19/07/2021 NDT professionals invited to take career to next level with free degree apprenticeship webinar
An award-winning provider of non-destructive testing apprenticeships is hosting a free webinar for industry professionals to show how they can take their career to the next level with the NDT Engineer degree apprenticeship.
19/07/2021 Ashtead Technology invests in new sonar technology
Global subsea equipment solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has invested over £1 million in a range of EdgeTech sonar imaging and underwater technology systems to enhance its extensive equipment fleet.
16/07/2021 Hitachi High-Tech opens state-of-the-art production facility in Shanghai, China
Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science (part of Hitachi High-Tech Group), engaged in the manufacture and sales of analysis and measuring instruments, has opened a new high-tech manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China.
15/07/2021 FLIR’s T-Series thermal camera
FLIR Systems has released the latest T-Series high-performance thermal camera, the FLIR T865. Created for electrical condition and mechanical equipment inspection and use in research and development applications, the device provides ±1°C or ±1% temperature measurement accuracy, a broader temperature range between −40°C to 120°C and more on-camera tools for improved analysis. A free three-month subscription to FLIR Thermal Studio Pro and FLIR Route Creator and a one-month subscription to FLIR Research Studio is included.
15/07/2021 Non-destructive inspection of large components taken to the next level
Nikon Metrology’s industrial microfocus X-ray computed tomography (CT) inspection solutions have been enhanced with a new offset CT reconstruction algorithm, which the company claims will deliver unrivalled scan speed and image resolution.
14/07/2021 Fluid Life launches new vibration data analysis tool
Fluid Life, a North American provider of equipment reliability solutions and lubrication analysis, has announced the launch of its new Vibration Data Analysis Tool. With vibration data analysis, critical machines can be monitored safely while in operation using permanently mounted accelerometers that collect data in near real-time and at a lower cost than traditional data collection methods.
14/07/2021 Doble Engineering introduces Calisto H1
Doble Engineering Company, a provider of power grid diagnostic solutions and a subsidiary of ESCO Technologies Inc, has announced the release of Calisto™ H1. The new hydrogen detector takes real-time measurements for quick intervention against faults and gives power and utility teams the flexibility to monitor a greater number of assets more cost-effectively.
14/07/2021 SpotSee launches OpsWatch Ethernet
SpotSee® has expanded its vibration monitoring product line to include OpsWatch Ethernet, an Ethernet-based vibration monitoring system
13/07/2021 Balluff inductive washdown sensors
Balluff has introduced inductive washdown sensors to its portfolio, which provide wear-resistant, non-contact position detection of metallic objects and are members of the company’s Smart Automation and Monitoring System (SAMS) portfolio.
13/07/2021 Driller partners with Asystom
Asystom and Archer have formed a technology cooperation covering the use of Asystom’s predictive maintenance technology for oil & gas drilling facilities.
12/07/2021 Bentley Systems acquires Sensemetrics and Vista Data Vision
Bentley Systems has acquired Sensemetrics and Vista Data Vision in a bid to strengthen the organisation’s software for infrastructure instrumentation and sensor management.
12/07/2021 Machine condition monitoring market worth $3.6 billion by 2026
According to the new market research report ‘Machine condition monitoring market with COVID-19 impact analysis, by monitoring technique (vibration monitoring, oil analysis, corrosion monitoring), monitoring process, deployment type, offering, industry and region – global forecast to 2026’, published by MarketsandMarkets, the global machine condition monitoring market size is projected to grow from US$2.6 billion in 2021 to US$3.6 billion by 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%.
07/07/2021 Curtiss-Wright partners with Dolphitech
Curtiss-Wright’s Nuclear Division (Curtiss-Wright) has announced that it has partnered with Dolphitech to provide predictive turbine maintenance and blade inspection services to the domestic and international wind market. This collaboration pairs Curtiss-Wright’s advanced StressWave and PdP pattern recognition software platforms with Dolphitech’s next-generation Dolphicam2 ultrasonic inspection technology to provide users with a comprehensive view of their wind turbine blade health.
06/07/2021 Loughborough University develops new AI tool for recognising and classifying wind turbine blade defects
Demand for wind power has grown, along with the need to inspect turbine blades and identify defects that may impact operational efficiency. From visual thermography to ultrasound, a wide range of blade inspection techniques have been trialled, but all have displayed drawbacks.
