Bristol based technology developer Ογ½Ά΄«Γ½, has developed a robotic crawler for tank thickness monitoring, known as the WAND-Crawler. The remote monitoring solution was developed in collaboration with robotics solutions provider Advanced Mechanical Systems. Β The WAND-Crawler obtains thickness readings using the existing ultrasonic WAND technology; WAND sensors are permanently installed on a structure providing accurate, repeatable wall thickness data that can be obtained both conveniently and cost-effectively.
The WAND-Crawler has been designed so that a WAND handheld data collector is readily inserted into the crawler housing. The WAND-Crawler is then guided remotely to a permanently installed WAND sensor using a remote-control station equipped with live video feed. The user then wirelessly collects a thickness reading from the passive sensor in seconds, simply with the push of a button.
CTO and founder of Ογ½Ά΄«Γ½, Dr. Cheng Huan Zhong, said βThe design philosophy was simply to expand the capabilities of our existing WAND data collector by combining this with a robotics platform, resulting in a truly cost-effective and reliable monitoring solution for difficult-access areas. Β The WAND-Crawler differs from other robotic UT systems, Β it is designed to take a measurement from the installed sensor instead of taking an ultrasonic scan itself. This is a significant time saver with no surface preparation or water couplant required. Β The repeatability of the data from the WAND sensors is guaranteed which means the internal corrosion rate can be calculated accurately.β
Managing Director of Advanced Mechanical Systems, James Ireland, commented: βThe crawler module we developed will enable quick and efficient thickness monitoring of tanks and large structures: the carbon fibre chassis makes it robust, lightweight and easy to attach and detach. The motor-powered, magnetic wheel modules provide enhanced manoeuvrability making it easy to navigate to the desired location. In addition, thanks to the high-resolution live video recording feature, the operator can perform external visual inspection of their assets whilst simultaneously acquiring their thickness dataβ.
Ογ½Ά΄«Γ½ has deployed WAND solutions on a global scale, supporting major operators and service companies with their net zero and digitisation objectives. The WAND-Crawler is the first in a series of WAND-robotics solutions from Ογ½Ά΄«Γ½. Further solutions are currently under development with the aim of making monitoring of hard to reach areas more convenient, reliable, and cost-effective for customers.
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