Eddyfi receives Frost & Sullivan 2016 Global New Product Innovation Award
15/08/2016
Based on recent analysis of the non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment market, Frost & Sullivan has recognised Eddyfi as the recipient of the 2016 Global New Product Innovation Award. Eddyfi astutely identified and channelled the potential of the pulsed eddy current (PEC) technology to develop the one-of-a-kind Lyft™, an inspection tool for corrosion under insulation (CUI). Eddyfi has packed Lyft with advanced features such as SmartPULSE™, to remove operator dependency and improve the reliability of results obtained from the PEC technology.Eddyfi spent more than 12 months analysing different CUI testing techniques, such as low-frequency eddy current. The company discovered that under typical CUI conditions, such as a lift-off (insulation thickness) of 50 mm, most techniques failed, except PEC. As a result, Eddyfi has positioned Lyft as the most versatile, accurate and high-performance equipment available for CUI applications.
Lyft offers several improvements over existing techniques. The original product based on PEC had speed limitations because the operator had to remain still for up to 10 seconds to take measurements. Lyft is 10 times faster than the alternatives as it is less sensitive to movement. In addition, Lyft can perform high-speed grid mapping and dynamic scans and its built-in encoder on probes helps generate high-resolution C-scans.
“Eddyfi has further done away with the dependence on operators by packing Lyft with its SmartPULSE technology, wherein the system automatically iterates to find the best parameters for the inspection configuration,” said Nikhil Jain, Frost & Sullivan Principal Lead. “Using an autoset feature, the probe can find the optimal configuration for measurements and repeatability, adjusting the pulse frequency, gains and other parameters.”
In terms of ergonomics, Lyft is easy to use. A full control keypad on the probe allows operators to start, stop or reset the system from the probe itself. Lyft contains all the typical design elements expected from a high-end NDT product, such as a large touchscreen, battery operation and a harness to make it truly portable. While the hardware for Lyft may look similar to Eddyfi’s Reddy® product, a number of internal improvements make Lyft specifically adapted for CUI. For instance, Lyft has specific embedded software to facilitate the process of creating an inspection set-up, conducting the examination and generating the associated report.
In terms of ergonomics, Lyft is easy to use. A full control keypad on the probe allows operators to start, stop or reset the system from the probe itself. Lyft contains all the typical design elements expected from a high-end NDT product, such as a large touchscreen, battery operation and a harness to make it truly portable. While the hardware for Lyft may look similar to Eddyfi’s Reddy® product, a number of internal improvements make Lyft specifically adapted for CUI. For instance, Lyft has specific embedded software to facilitate the process of creating an inspection set-up, conducting the examination and generating the associated report.
As a high-performance product, Lyft’s premium pricing is unsurprising; however, in light of the inefficiencies of existing products, Lyft’s price is highly competitive. To make Lyft more appealing to customers, Eddyfi has introduced a subscription-based model to reshape the way the product develops over the next few years. While the system requires a substantial initial outlay, customers are charged an annual renewable fee (without a binding multi-year contract) to license the software and secure complete maintenance, ensuring the evolution of the technology. Customers, therefore, are not charged an additional amount to upgrade their hardware or software.
Eddyfi has a reputation for extending outstanding customer service in the NDT market. To integrate customer feedback into every process, the company carries out an extensive voice-of-the-customer survey early in the product development process. In addition, Eddyfi provides systematic post-purchase support, where the company follows up with a customer two to three weeks after purchasing a system to ensure all customer comments or questions are addressed.
“By standardising eddy current array probes, Eddyfi has established itself as a world-class company rolling out industry-leading products,” noted Jain. “With that base, the company has evolved from focusing solely on eddy currents to innovating across the broader electromagnetic NDT technologies.”
For its dedication to creating a power-packed product that solves one of the major challenges across industries, testing for corrosion under insulation, Frost & Sullivan is pleased to present Eddyfi with the 2016 Global New Product Innovation Award.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan bestows this award upon the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognises the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased return on investment (ROI) it offers customers, which, in turn, improves customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practice Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
“By standardising eddy current array probes, Eddyfi has established itself as a world-class company rolling out industry-leading products,” noted Jain. “With that base, the company has evolved from focusing solely on eddy currents to innovating across the broader electromagnetic NDT technologies.”
For its dedication to creating a power-packed product that solves one of the major challenges across industries, testing for corrosion under insulation, Frost & Sullivan is pleased to present Eddyfi with the 2016 Global New Product Innovation Award.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan bestows this award upon the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognises the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased return on investment (ROI) it offers customers, which, in turn, improves customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practice Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
