US drone regulation has made slow but steady progress in approving safe, advanced drone operations. For those new to this niche topic, approving advanced commercial drone operations could look like fully autonomous power grid inspections – critical to restoring power infrastructure after a storm. Or autonomous delivery of food and medical supplies (or online shopping orders). [...]
Scientists have demonstrated what they believe is the first implementation of quantum computer vision for a quality inspection problem on a manufacturing production line. Researchers at Multiverse Computing, which delivers quantum computing solutions, and Ikerlan, a technology transfer centre in Spain, developed a quantum-enhanced kernel method for classification on universal gate-based quantum computers, as well as [...]
Phased array ultrasonic testing is a mature and widely adopted technology that allows for the inspection of critical components in various industries. Over the last five years, new techniques like full matrix capture and live total focusing method have been available on most high-end phased array ultrasonic testing units. They have been introduced in ASME codes [...]
Baker Hughes has announced an agreement to acquire Quest Integrity, a subsidiary of Team, Inc and a global leader in the development and delivery of technology-enabled asset inspection and reliability management solutions across the pipeline, refining, petrochemical and power generation sectors. This complements Baker Hughes’ existing asset integrity offerings and will support customers with the delivery [...]
Evident (Tokyo, Japan), a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus comprising its former Scientific Solutions Division as of April 2022, developed its Wind Blade Inspection System (WBIS) using Industry 4.0 technologies to automate and digitize the time-consuming, labor-intensive process of manual nondestructive testing (NDT) for large components like composite wind blades. The concept for the technology originated [...]
Shop floor metrology equipment is getting faster, smarter, and more automated. Is it time for an upgrade? Initially, this article was going to explain how machine shops and moldmakers could sell all of their handheld measuring tools and gages and replace them with shop-hardened coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). Gone would be the time and expense of [...]
Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of CyberOptics Corporation (Nasdaq: CYBE), a leading global developer and manufacturer of high-precision 3D optical sensing technology solutions. The acquisition enhances Nordson’s test and inspection platform, providing differentiated technology that expands Nordson’s product offering in the semiconductor and electronics industries. The all-cash transaction is [...]
Oil & gas and chemical operations are complex and safety is paramount. Plant operators are required to pay special attention to the infrastructure where flammable and potentially explosive matters are processed. Ensuring availability and safety in these operationally intricate facilities requires frequent inspections and detailed monitoring. Often, these inspections must be performed in or close to [...]
ProFoam is a family run operation that has well over 300,000 manhours completed on thousands of miles of pipeline projects. This includes providing pipe pads that cushion pipelines to prevent coating damage; the ProFoam motto is, "You lay it, we spray it!" Foam breakers are another innovative solution we offer to assist with pipeline erosion control; [...]
Launched in 2015 with the first version of the Gekko®, Capture™ has grown over the years to become a premier acquisition and analysis software for all ultrasonic techniques: conventional ultrasonic testing (UT), phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), total focusing method (TFM), and adaptive TFM procedures (ATFM). In 2018, compatibility was extended to the [...]