The Elios 3 represents the next generation in remote confined space inspection drones, with its proven and robust cage form factor. In addition, the Elios 3 have been designed all along as an aerial platform for a range of different applications.
Adding to this is the new UT Payload, designed for accurate and easy remote testing of structural thickness at height or in hard-to-reach places. Suddenly, NDT inspections have become a whole lot easier — and a whole lot safer!
Introducing Accurate, Contact-Based NDT Measurements for the Elios 3
Developed in partnership with Cygnus Instruments, the UT Payload turns the Elios 3 into a flying UTM gauge that can take accurate thickness measurements backed up with high-resolution A-scans in the most challenging areas. Equipped with the Elios 3 UT, industry professionals can perform regular integrity inspections in minutes – reducing the probability of unplanned downtimes.
In sum, this payload now brings Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to the Elios platform — something the Elios 3 is naturally designed for, with its ability to get up close to any surface with unparalleled stability in confined areas. The UT payload is available as a complete kit, and is easy to install on any Elios 3 drone (Standard or Survey).
Location-Tagged UT Measurements
The Elios 3 UT Payload works in parallel with the on-board LiDAR for precise localisation of your UT measurements on a digital twin of the asset during data capture.
Combined with Flyability’s new Asset Management software extension, and the Live Map widget in the Cockpit App, location-tagged UT measurements provide exceptional situational awareness, allowing you to easily track the completeness of your inspection.
Smart Couplant Dispenser
Good UT (ultrasound) readings require a good air-tight couplant seal between the UT probe and the surface being measured. The Elios 3 UT Payload features a remotely operated couplant dispenser to ensure just the right amount of gel is dispensed for perfect ultrasound transmission into the material under test. You can also monitor couplant levels through Cockpit and return home for a quick refill or rapid swap of the dispenser’s syringe when the gel runs low.
Smart, Flexible Probe Arm
The UT Payload can be mounted on top of, in front, or below the drone, and the probe arm can be extended and shaped for specific needs, and hard-to-reach areas. Its adaptability means you can now take UT measurements in the most complex spaces, like inside pipe racks and across turbine blades.
Modular Probes and Probe Head
The Elios 3 UT Payload features a set of probe hoods designed to match the shape of a wide variety of surfaces, as well as interchangeable twin crystal piezo-composite probes with the choice of 2MHz, 5MHz, or 7.5 MHz. The probes are particularly suited to measuring heavily corroded metals and feature an Echo-Echo mode to measure through up to 1 mm (0.040 inch) of surface coating.
The Elios 3 UT Payload has been developed in partnership with Cygnus Instruments, a leading manufacturer of ultrasonic thickness gauges. Leveraging Cygnus’ 40 years of UT experience, the Elios 3 UT Payload meets the highest standards of accuracy, quality, and reliability in thickness measurements.
| Probe Frequency | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| 7 MHz | Thin Walls, Small Pipes |
| 5 MHz | General Purpose |
| 2 MHz | Thick Walls, Dirty Surfaces |
Cleaning Module: Never miss a measurement
Often the surfaces you want to measure through may be dirty or covered in rust and corrosion. The cleaning module is designed to quickly remove deposits and prepare surfaces for measurement.
Thanks to the new location-tagging feature inside the Cockpit app, you can easily return to the cleaned location to perform the measurement with the probe attached.
Live A-Scans: Refine Measurements in Real-Time
Cockpit’s Live A-Scan widget provides operators with advanced measurement controls, enabling either fully automated or manually obtained measurements using adjustable gain and gates. This flexibility allows users to refine measurements on the spot even in less-than-ideal conditions. The screen capture below shows the live A-scan overlaid on the video stream from the drone: you can see both the probe connection to the surface, and the A-scan reading in real time, as well as drone’s position in the asset in the 3D map (lower right).
Advanced Data Post-Processing
Easily convert your UT data into actionable insights with Inspector 5. Review all your data points by post-processing in Inspector 5, and output comprehensive, detailed reports for further action.
Contact us today for a free demonstration of the Elios 3 UT Payload, or you can find more information at Flyability.com
NOTE: the UT Payload is sold as an add-on module for the Elios 3 drone. You will need to own or purchase an Elios 3 Drone Package (Standard or Survey) in order to take advantage of the UT Payload’s capabilities.
CITF Funding
Eligible companies in the construction, engineering, infrastructure or surveying sectors may apply for funding to cover a large portion of the cost of an Elios system, up to 70 percent.
You can search for Elios 3 or the item code PA23-019 in the CITF technologies section.
Find out more regarding applications on the CITF website, or Contact us today for the latest package pricing and a free demonstration. Or you can find more information at Flyability.com