Kit media
In the power generation, oil, gas or chemical industry, minimizing the downtime of rotating machinery such as turbines is critical for plant efficiency and productivity reasons. The wide field of view, extended measurement capabilities and user-friendly software of the latest generation videoscopes provide detailed images and fast measurements for maximum efficiency and uptime.
Inspection of factories is essential, but very complex given the multitude of equipment found there. Rotating machinery, such as turbines, pumps, generators, compressors or multipliers, is constantly under stress and strain requiring regular inspection to prevent failures or maintain high fuel efficiency. Frequent checks to detect, identify and size the various types of faults and breaks (Figure 1).
Expedited inspections
The power delivered and the productivity of rotating equipment are often directly related to run time. Sometimes, before allowing inspection, this type of equipment needs to be replaced or cooled. That's why technologies that accelerate this process quickly generate an excellent return on investment.
Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) technology is a commonly used method to reach hard-to-reach areas of rotating machinery. The latest generation of remote visual inspection equipment, such as the Olympus IPLEX NX® videoscopes (Figure 2), is ideally suited for this type of inspection with intense illumination, intuitive maneuverability and user-friendly software.
Large components
Wide field of vision
Designed to speed up imaging and measurement of large components, such as turbine blades, the IPLEX NX videoscope offers a viewing area four times that of conventional videoscopes (Figure 4). This expanded viewing capability ensures an overview suitable for large rooms without the need to juxtapose multiple images. This simplifies and accelerates the workflow.
This improved viewing area also allows the measurements to be obtained more directly. When an indication is found, it usually needs to be sized. Thus, it is necessary to measure the distance which separates it from the base of the blade or to determine the dimension of the crack. Thanks to the enlarged viewing angle, measurements no longer have to be evaluated from two separate images, ensuring speed and accuracy.
Inspect. Sort. Produce a report.
Another key testament to the effectiveness of IVR technology is the way the device software allows for annotating or sorting images and generating reports. During the inspection, the technician captures a lot of images which must be organized properly to obtain a clear report. Often this is done with one hand while the other maneuvers the device.
Olympus InHelp image management and reporting software makes it easy to annotate and sort images during inspection. In addition, it allows one click to score indications, depending on the severity of the damage (Figure 3). These features ensure that reports are produced quickly and easily, and the risk of human error is reduced.
Products used for this application
The IPLEX NX is a state-of-the-art industrial videoscope that combines portability, advanced functionality, ease of use and durability. From high image quality inspection to foreign object extraction operations, its great versatility will allow you to enjoy new benefits.
