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To take Nondestructive Testing (NDT) measurements at height, currently one may need to utilize
a lift, scaffolding, ladders or other solutions to reach areas on ships. bridges, aboveground
storage tanks, flare stacks and other infrastructure and industrial sites. This is both dangerous,
due to the possibility of falls, and time consuming. In certain instances, it may also require taking
assets, such as a flare stack, offline to allow it to cool so it can be accessed to take NDT readings.
Use of handheld digital testing devices are very common in these scenarios.
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THE EFFICACY OF AERIAL ROBOTIC SYSTEMS (DRONES)
FOR CONTACT BASED NDT AT HEIGHT
OPERATIONS
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Apellix has developed the technology to do Non-Destructive Testing at a level never seen
before. They have put an array of sensors on our platforms that come right to a specific location
and run a variety of tests. The tests might include determining the wall or coatings thickness and
can be done at heights unsafe for humans.
Moreover, the sensors can record weather variables such as; air temperature, dew point, and
humidity, gas levels such as; benzene, hydrocarbons, oxygen, and environmental variables such
as; the temperature and condition of the surface being tested… at each and every single location.
Conclusion: A company has developed a way to take DFT measurements at height by
transferring the handheld electronic DFT measurement device to an aerial robotic system. We
evaluated the efficacy of one of these systems in a simple use case consisting of taking DFT
measurements on a facsimile of a ship by asking the question; “Are DFT readings from an aerial
robotic system equivalent to those taken by a person”. We did this by taking 50 spot readings
using two methods to collect the readings, the manual and the aerial robotic system collection
methods.
One would expect there to be little difference between the value of the readings with the
robotic system vs. a person holding an electronic DFT measurement device and
the statistical proof agreed.
SELECT REFERENCES
* USTPO - Mobile computing device-based guidance navigation and control for unmanned
aerial vehicles and robotic systems US 20150344136 A1
* USTPO - Indoor and Outdoor Aerial Vehicles for Painting and Related Applications US
20150274294 A1
* The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) Marketplace. Standards, Paint Application (PA),
PA 2, Determining Compliance to Required DFT http://www.sspc.org/ST-000PA2
* Rob Francis “Dry Film Thickness Measurements: How Many Are Enough? A Close Look at
Four Major International Standards and Requirements” Paint Square News, pp 22-31, JPCL
December 2009
* International Organization for Standardization. ISO 19840:2012 Paints and varnishes --
Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems -- Measurement of, and
acceptance criteria for, the thickness of dry films on rough surfaces
* RESOLUTION MSC.215(82) (adopted on 8 December 2006) PERFORMANCE STANDARD
FOR PROTECTIVE COATINGS FOR DEDICATED SEAWATER BALLAST TANKS IN ALL
TYPES OF SHIPS AND DOUBLE-SIDE SKIN SPACES OF BULK CARRIERS
* Standards/AS-3894-3-2002-R2013--306255 Standards Australia is the nation's peak non-
government, not-for-profit Standards organization responsible for the development and adoption
of standards in Australia. They also facilitate Australian participation in international standards
development
* US OSHA Elimination of fall hazards is the first and best line of defense against falls from
heights https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy11/sh-22230-11/FallHazardManual.pdf
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and CONTACT
The Authors would like to thank APELLIX for access to their facilities and technology as well
as SSPC and ECNDT.
Bob Dahlstrom, CEO & Founder APELLIX [email protected] +1-904-476-3798
Jamie Branch, NDT Engineer, NACE, PE APELLIX [email protected] +1-904-476-3798
© 2018 Apellix Product discussed are covered by one or more U.S. patents and pending patent
applications.
An Aerial Robotics and Safety Company has developed a way to take DFT measurements at
height using computer controlled heavylift multi-rotor drones outfitted with various sensors and
functions to allow precisely controlled flight close to structures. Manual control of such systems
is unable to accomplish the precise flying and maneuvers require, thus software controlled flight
is crucial. These aerial robots utilize the existing electronics and digital probes to perform DFT
measurements. The DFT measurement electronic systems are identical those used for “manual”
measurements. This innovation was named a 2017 Corrosion Innovation of the year by the
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
1 Apellix Aerial Robotics, United States, [email protected]
2 Apellix Aerial Robotics, United States, [email protected]
Robert Dahlstrom1 and Jamie Branch NACE2
CONTACT NDT AT HEIGHTS USING AERIAL ROBOTICS
The Aerial Robotics DFT measurement system when configured for SSPS-PA2 DFT standards
works as follows:
: The tethered (for data and power) or untethered (battery power and wireless data) robotic
system is located close to the structure where DFT measurements are to be taken.
: The operator / pilot opens the computer or tablet and with the software interface chooses to
begin the test and enters the job information (operator, job name, upper and lower limits for
the DFT readings, etc.). In this example, it is set for SSPC-PA2 standards to take 5 spot
readings within a 10’ by 10’ area.
: The aerial robotic system takes off vertically to approximately 2 meters in height, hovers and
completes self-checks.
: The operator then uses a standard handheld radio frequency transmitter to manually fly the
system close to the where the DFT readings are to be taken. i.e. the “gate”.
: Once the aerial robotic system is within the “gate” (i.e. 2 meters from the target part of the
structure) the operator chooses “Start Test” on the software interface.
The system then operates under full computer control (no manual input allowed) fly’s in,
touches the surface with the probe and takes a minimum of three DFT measurement readings
(typically 1 to 5 seconds). It then backs away, repositions, and repeats the process until 5 spot
measurements have been recorded.