March 6, 2024, Lausanne: Flyability, the pioneer in confined-space drones, has just announced the launch of a groundbreaking ultrasonic thickness measurement (UTM) payload for their flagship drone, the Elios 3. This collaboration with Cygnus Instruments, a renowned global leader in ultrasonic testing (UT) technology, aims to provide certified UT inspectors with a cutting-edge solution.
The new live A-scan UT payload is meticulously designed for spot thickness measurements of steel in ship hulls, within tanks, and around pipe ranks, among numerous other applications. Given the critical role of UT in various inspection processes, this payload offers a safer approach to accessing thickness measurement locations (TMLs). The Elios 3 can effortlessly navigate confined spaces or reach TML points at height, allowing for quick and safe wall thickness gauging or corrosion surveys. Equipped with an ultrasonic probe mounted on a smart arm, it features a laser pointer for precise aiming at measurement points. The arm is highly adaptable, offering multiple mounting and shaping options to suit the complexities of industrial environments. A remotely operated couplant dispenser ensures optimal ultrasound transmission to the material being tested. Each measurement can be geo-tagged on a digital twin of the asset, facilitating easier analysis. Additionally, the Elios 3 can carry a cleaning module to prepare surfaces before measurements.
Patrick Thévoz, CEO and co-founder of Flyability, expressed his excitement: "Since our initial projects with clients in the oil and gas, maritime, and chemical sectors, the demand for performing UTM alongside visual inspections has been overwhelming. Developing this payload required four years of intensive research and product development, leveraging the unique design of the Elios 3. We’re thrilled to now offer a dependable, safe, and efficient UTM solution for areas that were previously inaccessible using traditional methods like scaffolding, crawlers, or cherry pickers."
Quality and compliance have been top priorities throughout the payload's development. Flyability's robotics experts collaborated closely with Cygnus Instruments to integrate ultrasonic measurement technology seamlessly into the Elios 3, creating a specialized tool for challenging inspection scenarios. Software integration with the Elios 3's piloting app, Cockpit, enables real-time visualization of the live A-scan and manual adjustments to gain and gates. Users can choose from twin crystal piezo-electric composite transducers supporting through-coating echo-echo measurement mode. Drawing on Cygnus's 40 years of expertise in the UT market, the payload ensures ISO 16809 compliance, delivering unparalleled accuracy, quality, and reliability in thickness gauging.
Lulu Crosthwaite-Eyre, Managing Director of Cygnus Instruments, added: "Our presence in the shipping and oil and gas sectors has given us invaluable insights into user needs over decades. The demand for aerial drone-based inspections began two decades ago but lacked credible solutions. Over the past decade, we’ve seen this evolve into a race to mount UT on UAVs. Collaborating on the ultrasonic thickness measurement payload for the Elios 3 is a significant milestone. Flyability brings together exceptional engineering talent, extensive field testing, and rigorous product validation. Our partnership is timely, contributing to safer NDT inspections across many industries."
The UTM payload made its debut at the Flyability User Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. It’s now available for demonstrations and purchase, with the first deliveries scheduled for Q3 2024. This payload is the third module for the modular Elios 3, expanding the drone's capabilities to meet diverse mapping, surveying, and non-destructive testing needs. For more information, visit the Flyability website.
Flyability, headquartered in Paudex, Switzerland, also has offices in China, Singapore, and the USA. Their mission is clear: ensuring no human performs dangerous jobs. The company’s latest drone, the Elios 3, launched in 2023, features two payloads: a radiation detection payload and a surveying LiDAR payload.
About Cygnus Instruments: Founded in 1983, Cygnus specializes in producing robust and user-friendly ultrasonic testing (UT) equipment for industries worldwide. Based in the UK with additional offices in Singapore and the UAE, they offer a comprehensive range of ultrasonic thickness gauges, hatch cover leak detectors, and Flooded Member Detection (FMD) systems—providing reliable underwater and above-water ultrasonic measurement solutions.
For further inquiries, contact both companies directly.
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