RTD profiles

RTD Performers

TWI
ZENON
NDT Consultants (NDT Con)

TWI, UK

Profile: TWI is one of Europe's largest independent research and technology organisations. Based at Abington near Cambridge since 1946, TWI provides those in industry with technical support in welding, NDT and associated technologies. TWI has over 430 skilled staff and a turnover of 40 million Euros. TWI has participated in approximately 35 European projects including several Framework V, CSG and CRAFT projects. It has an underwater tank at its base in Middlesborough for training divers and carrying out trials on underwater welding and NDT techniques.

Participation in technical tasks: TWI will be involved in the following work packages at the request of the SMEs: WP-A, system specification and provision of defect samples; WP-B, development of NDT techniques suited to inspection of chains, WP-C, development of robot scanner with NDT probe holders; WP-D, development of a robot vehicle and marinisation of NDT probes; WP-E, development of man-machine interface for NDT procedure; WP-F, system integration and testing and WP-G, performance trials in the laboratory.

Reasons for selection by the SMEs: TWI has considerable expertise in underwater inspection and in running collaborative projects. It will be involved in all the work packages. These will be carried out by TWI's Structural Integrity Department, which includes a world leading centre of excellence in NDT called the NDT Technology Section. TWI has 40 qualified NDT inspection engineers with academic, research and industrial qualifications TWI has the following research equipment and facilities making it the ideal research institute to execute this research project:

6 laboratories dedicated to NDT research.
Latest NDT equipment and systems including phased array systems, guided ultrasonic wave test systems, eddy current systems, and real time X-ray equipment amongst others. The total investment in NDT research equipment and facilities is greater than 5 million Euros.
A pipe test loop for developing and validating guided ultrasonic wave test procedures.
Europe's largest underwater testing facility.

Furthermore the NDT section is currently the main NDT research contractor 16 European CRAFT projects.

TWI has also been a major research contractor for UK and European oil, gas, petrochemical and power generating companies carrying out projects connected with pipeline manufacture, laying and maintenance including manual and automated NDT for corrosion measurement, engineering critical assessments of corroded pipe, failure analyses of corroded pipe and material selection for resistance to pipe corrosion. TWI was selected for this research by the SMEs for the following reasons:

It's proven technical excellence in the development of NDT techniques. Several of TWI's past inventions are being used regularly in the NDT industry. TWI's business strategy is based on industrial collaborative projects either involving its industrial company membership or European projects.

TWI's involvement in the various CRAFT projects and the close contact with the oil and gas industry have made TWI, the first choice for the SMEs in this project. TWI personnel involved in the project will be the head of the NDT section, Dr. A. Khalid, BSc, MSc, Ph.D., MBA with over 25 refereed publications in the field of NDT inspection and Dr S Williams. with over 25 years specialist experience in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. A number of technicians will also be involved with extensive experience of NDT techniques as applied to detecting corrosion in pipe.

ZENON, Greece

Profile: Zenon is a Greek research provider with considerable research expertise in automation, robotics and design and manufacture of industrial automation systems. This project will involve the following two departments of Zenon:

Service Robotics - Mobile Robotics: Zenon's personnel hold long and updated expertise in the field of service robotics, focused on mobile robotics. Zenon provides systems and services related to any software or hardware modalities. It also performs design studies on new chassis, sensor set-ups, system configuration, including but not limited to ultrasonic, tactile, laser or vision sensors, data or video links, motion controllers, encoders, etc. Zenon develops, integrates or adapts robots or accessories, according to the customer's demands and prepares studies on how to integrate modules and products for particular applications.
Industrial Design and Automation: Zenon studies and designs new products from the ergonomics, aesthetics and functional point of view. Zenon design services are not limited to conceptualisation and sketches but extend to the detailed product design and manufacturing. Zenon is able to construct and deliver prototype for functional testing after special agreement. The young members of the industrial design team bring fresh ideas, while the proof of the designs is warranted by the experience of the senior members.

Participation in technical tasks: In this project Zenon will provide R&D back up to Miltech and will get involved in the development of the scanner, which will carry the NDT sensors and systems.

Reasons for selection by the SMEs: Zenon will be working with Miltech for the majority of this project. Zenon has had a good relationship working alongside Miltech on various industrial automation tasks where Zenon has provided research and development back-up to Miltech. Zenon has a significant core competence in the development of industrial scanners for inspection and the NDT scanner to be developed will form yet another scanner project for Noemon thus adding to its existing experience in this technical area. The Head of the Industrial Design and Automation Department will co-ordinate the research tasks for Zenon.

NDT Consultants (NDT Con), UK

Profile: NDT Consultants Ltd is a consultancy company, which specialises in the field of non-destructive Testing in the oil and gas and aerospace industry. Founded in early 1980's by the present Chairman, Dr D.S. Dulay, it has expanded into one of the leading companies offering consultancy technical and engineering service and other products in this activity. Expansion during the years has created an enterprise, which is active in seven key areas of the profession. These include:

Specialist Training
Consultancy Services in NDT working practices
Specialist Inspection services
Design of man-machine interfaces for automated inspection systems
Manufacture of one-off turn-key automated NDT systems
Research and Development in Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic

The company has 20 persons. The current senior company staff includes five accredited level III personnel covering all of the commonly used NDT. The company has an impressive client base from (1) Major oil and gas companies such as Shell and BP. Also NDTCON has many years of experience in the manual ultrasonic phased array inspection to (2) major aerospace companies such Rolls-Royce, Ministry of Defence, Westland Helicopter, Dowty, Allied Signal Aerospace to mention a few to At the Company head office, which is in Magor, South Wales, between Newport and Chepstow, and at the Midlands office in Coventry extensive facilities are available for the full range of the Company's activities.

Role in the project: The company will provide support to the SMEs in developing the man-machine interfaces and control system.

Reason for participation in project: Research into new inspection technology and automated systems is at the heart of the company's future development. Involvement in man-machine interfaces and control systems will create a significant market advantage for this company. It would thus create and contribute significantly to its wealth and future prosperity.



RTD profiles RTD Performers TWI ZENON NDT Consultants (NDT Con) TWI, UK *Profile:* TWI is one of Europe's largest independent research and technology organisations. Based at Abington near Cambridge since 1946, TWI provides those in industry with technical support in welding, NDT and associated technologies. TWI has over 430 skilled staff and a turnover of 40 million Euros. TWI has participated in approximately 35 European projects including several Framework V, CSG and CRAFT projects. It has an underwater tank at its base in Middlesborough for training divers and carrying out trials on underwater welding and NDT techniques. *Participation in technical tasks:* TWI will be involved in the following work packages at the request of the SMEs: WP-A, system specification and provision of defect samples; WP-B, development of NDT techniques suited to inspection of chains, WP-C, development of robot scanner with NDT probe holders; WP-D, development of a robot vehicle and marinisation of NDT probes; WP-E, development of man-machine interface for NDT procedure; WP-F, system integration and testing and WP-G, performance trials in the laboratory. *Reasons for selection by the SMEs:* TWI has considerable expertise in underwater inspection and in running collaborative projects. It will be involved in all the work packages. These will be carried out by TWI's Structural Integrity Department, which includes a world leading centre of excellence in NDT called the NDT Technology Section. TWI has 40 qualified NDT inspection engineers with academic, research and industrial qualifications TWI has the following research equipment and facilities making it the ideal research institute to execute this research project: 6 laboratories dedicated to NDT research. Latest NDT equipment and systems including phased array systems, guided ultrasonic wave test systems, eddy current systems, and real time X-ray equipment amongst others. The total investment in NDT research equipment and facilities is greater than 5 million Euros. A pipe test loop for developing and validating guided ultrasonic wave test procedures. Europe's largest underwater testing facility. Furthermore the NDT section is currently the main NDT research contractor 16 European CRAFT projects. TWI has also been a major research contractor for UK and European oil, gas, petrochemical and power generating companies carrying out projects connected with pipeline manufacture, laying and maintenance including manual and automated NDT for corrosion measurement, engineering critical assessments of corroded pipe, failure analyses of corroded pipe and material selection for resistance to pipe corrosion. TWI was selected for this research by the SMEs for the following reasons: It's proven technical excellence in the development of NDT techniques. Several of TWI's past inventions are being used regularly in the NDT industry. TWI's business strategy is based on industrial collaborative projects either involving its industrial company membership or European projects. TWI's involvement in the various CRAFT projects and the close contact with the oil and gas industry have made TWI, the first choice for the SMEs in this project. TWI personnel involved in the project will be the head of the NDT section, Dr. A. Khalid, BSc, MSc, Ph.D., MBA with over 25 refereed publications in the field of NDT inspection and Dr S Williams. with over 25 years specialist experience in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. A number of technicians will also be involved with extensive experience of NDT techniques as applied to detecting corrosion in pipe. ZENON, Greece *Profile:* Zenon is a Greek research provider with considerable research expertise in automation, robotics and design and manufacture of industrial automation systems. This project will involve the following two departments of Zenon: Service Robotics - Mobile Robotics: Zenon's personnel hold long and updated expertise in the field of service robotics, focused on mobile robotics. Zenon provides systems and services related to any software or hardware modalities. It also performs design studies on new chassis, sensor set-ups, system configuration, including but not limited to ultrasonic, tactile, laser or vision sensors, data or video links, motion controllers, encoders, etc. Zenon develops, integrates or adapts robots or accessories, according to the customer's demands and prepares studies on how to integrate modules and products for particular applications. Industrial Design and Automation: Zenon studies and designs new products from the ergonomics, aesthetics and functional point of view. Zenon design services are not limited to conceptualisation and sketches but extend to the detailed product design and manufacturing. Zenon is able to construct and deliver prototype for functional testing after special agreement. The young members of the industrial design team bring fresh ideas, while the proof of the designs is warranted by the experience of the senior members. *Participation in technical tasks:* In this project Zenon will provide R&D back up to Miltech and will get involved in the development of the scanner, which will carry the NDT sensors and systems. *Reasons for selection by the SMEs:* Zenon will be working with Miltech for the majority of this project. Zenon has had a good relationship working alongside Miltech on various industrial automation tasks where Zenon has provided research and development back-up to Miltech. Zenon has a significant core competence in the development of industrial scanners for inspection and the NDT scanner to be developed will form yet another scanner project for Noemon thus adding to its existing experience in this technical area. The Head of the Industrial Design and Automation Department will co-ordinate the research tasks for Zenon. NDT Consultants (NDT Con), UK *Profile:* NDT Consultants Ltd is a consultancy company, which specialises in the field of non-destructive Testing in the oil and gas and aerospace industry. Founded in early 1980's by the present Chairman, Dr D.S. Dulay, it has expanded into one of the leading companies offering consultancy technical and engineering service and other products in this activity. Expansion during the years has created an enterprise, which is active in seven key areas of the profession. These include: Specialist Training Consultancy Services in NDT working practices Specialist Inspection services Design of man-machine interfaces for automated inspection systems Manufacture of one-off turn-key automated NDT systems Research and Development in Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic The company has 20 persons. The current senior company staff includes five accredited level III personnel covering all of the commonly used NDT. The company has an impressive client base from (1) Major oil and gas companies such as Shell and BP. Also NDTCON has many years of experience in the manual ultrasonic phased array inspection to (2) major aerospace companies such Rolls-Royce, Ministry of Defence, Westland Helicopter, Dowty, Allied Signal Aerospace to mention a few to At the Company head office, which is in Magor, South Wales, between Newport and Chepstow, and at the Midlands office in Coventry extensive facilities are available for the full range of the Company's activities. *Role in the project:* The company will provide support to the SMEs in developing the man-machine interfaces and control system. *Reason for participation in project:* Research into new inspection technology and automated systems is at the heart of the company's future development. Involvement in man-machine interfaces and control systems will create a significant market advantage for this company. It would thus create and contribute significantly to its wealth and future prosperity.

THE SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME	European Commission