Texo is right among the thick of it with new drone

Technology: Thickness-measuring device a world first for Aberdeen firm

An Aberdeen-based firm has announced the deployment of the world’s first Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UT) drone.

Texo Drone Survey and Inspection, the dedicated oil and gas services division of Texo DSI, has designed the UAV which allows the firm to undertake a wide range of thickness measurement applications and is able to ascertain precise measurements on both flat and curved surfaces.

The piece of equipment has been deployed across a wide range of sectors, including both offshore and onshore wind turbine structures, telecoms and maritime assets and is said to be around 20 times faster than traditional methods of carrying out surveys.

With the ability to indicate, through a spot identification system, all UT missions are precise and instantaneous in capturing and delivering results.

All UT drone operations are overseen by Texo’s accredited and certificated technicians, ensuring accurate data and measurements.

Inspection data is combined with a picture of the completed survey, pinpointing exact measurement locations on the structure/surface to an accuracy of below 10mm.

“This is a major development in the field of inspection engineering”

John Wood, chief operations officer, of Texo Drone Survey and Inspection said: “This is a major development in the field of inspection engineering.

“Client feedback has been indicating that this is an area of huge demand and we have worked tirelessly to bring this to the market.”

Mr Wood added: “We offer an enhanced UT thickness measurement service to our clients, combined with increased safety to personnel and efficiency of data delivery.

“Like all our classleading payloads, they are safer than traditional rope access and scaffolding methods and data acquisition can be twenty times faster than by traditional methods – representing significant efficiencies for clients.”

The company is the owner-operator of the world’s most comprehensive and dynamic fleet of unmanned drones.

It supports a number of sectors, delivering a wide selection of services that helps clients operate a safer and more efficient working environment.

Key services range from visual inspection and thermographic surveys through to detailed lidar mapping and to measurement analysis.

The company has both rotor and fixed-wing UAV platforms which have the ability to deploy nationally and overseas at short notice.

HIGH FLYER: Texo’s Ultrasonic Thickness Testing drone