Thermography Inspection

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Thermography Inspection

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Thermography Advanced NDT Inspection

Using specific Cameras, we can inspect On-Line, any kind of Temperature Variation starting from ZERO loading, up to 120 Loading power.

The specific Swiss Approval Advanced NDT Laboratory for Thermography Inspection is offering a wide range of services, and coordinates applications in the Infrared or Thermal Inspection sector in different areas within or outside Europe.

With our advanced equipment of high characteristics, our experts can discover even small size of defects.

Our equipment characteristics of thermal sensitivity can range from -40C to +600C with an accuracy +/- 2%, with Image format opto-mechanical MicroScan (IR pixels) of 1280 X 960 using a Full-frame by 30 Hz (640 × 480), as well as a Sub-frame by 60 Hz (384 × 288). Since infrared inspection is a superficial inspection, in order to perform a complete inspection, we combine both, superficial and volumetric inspection by UT.

Volumetric control implies to control the volume of the object. The most common control is by ultrasound or ultrasonic test, which requires contact and is non destructive. By means of ultrasound it is possible to measure material thickness and evaluate internal flaws that cannot be reached by infrared inspection.

Application in Yachts / Marine

Infrared inspection can be applied easily in yacht because is a non-contact and non-destructive operation and does not alter the characteristics of the equipment and materials to be inspected.

Depending on type of inspection, there are some requirements that must be met. For hull, keel, rudder, propeller, shaft or ventral fins inspection, the ship should be in dry dock.

Coating Inspection

External coating on hull or structures can be inspected satisfactorily allowing to identify the most common defects, like blisters, cracks, osmosis, degradation and delamination. It is also possible to identify repaired areas and their condition, since the putty used has different thermal properties from the fiber glass or metal.

Osmosis and blistering Inspection Services

Osmosis is a phenomenon caused when a porous media separates a fluid with high salt content from a low salt content fluid. In the ship, the high salt content is sea water, and the low content salt is the air. The porous media is aged fiber glass and coating layers. For steel structures, the porous media are the coating layers only, and the low content salt fluid is any bubble of air entrapped during coating. Salinity through the ocean in the world is not uniform so osmosis can be different depending on the sea. During osmosis the sea water penetrates the coating and creates some underlayer solid salt accumulation. This salt has different thermal properties of the entire hull, so after thermal exciting, it is possible to identify precisely the area interested.

Fiber Glass condition monitoring services

Fiber glass is a material made of glass flakes, mainly silica, bonded in an epoxy resin matrix. The shape of the object plays an influence on the mechanical properties. When completely cured, the different directions of the flakes give an important mechanical resistance which due to shaping flexibility can be used widely in marine industry. Ageing of the epoxy resin is a process which depends on the environment where the ship operates.

Engines Inspection

The performance of the engines, regardless of if they are electric or combustion, can be monitored with an infrared camera. More precisely, if there is some misalignment in the shafts or basement, this vibration will produce an abnormal heating that can be easily seen. It is possible to check the thermal insulation of the motors in order to stop the creation of hot spots inside the ship cabins.

Electrical Installations Inspection Services

Electrical wiring, cabinet and panels, motors and generators, can be assessed through a thermal camera. When current passes through an object, it produces heat due to electron collisions. The heat produced out of the prescribed limits, is a clear image of thermal anomalies.

Commissioning of Combined systems, pre-commissioning with Load start & Load run, Generators transient testing/switching, functional and operational performance, panel joints & busbar testing and monitoring, autonomy testing & Batteries testing as well.

Moisture Inspection

If in a room there is a specific value of humidity and temperature, moisture can be formed on the wall and in more aggressive form, can create mould. Conditions can be created by any mean, but normally can be found when there is a transition from a hot to a cold area. Mould and moisture, viewed through a infrared camera, appear in blue colour because water has a lower temperature/emissivity of the surrounding wall.

Reporting and Certification of Thermography Inspection Services

Due to complexity and importance of the controls above mentioned, the performing operator should be duly qualified in order to ensure the highest skill and technical advise of the area inspected. The regulating standard for qualification of the operator is ISO 9712. Being qualified by this international standard, requires a previous experience endorsed by Swiss Approval.

For coating inspection, Swiss Approval Inspectors are mainly NACE certified, and can perform inspection services of the highest value. Swiss Approval Certified Personnel includes UT and Advanced UT Level II experts, in order to execute specific inspection activities on materials and parts. Depending of the nature of service, a Swiss Approval Report or Certificate of Conformity can be issued, after completion of inspection and the related technical review.

Swiss Approval advanced NDT Laboratory can provide full inspection service, superficial and volumetric, on coatings, mechanical and electrical parts of any construction or ship. Welding inspectors and qualified Welding Engineers can monitor and inspect any repair or work on steel parts. Our staff is fully qualified and certified according to ISO 9712 for non-destructive examinations, ultrasonic, infrared, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle and x-ray film interpretation. NACE and / or FROSIO certified coating inspectors can evaluate the condition of the external coating and provide monitoring to tailored repair activities, according customer / project needs.

Our 5 Steps Process for Thermography Inspection

Critical Client Task

Standards & Regulations: Monitor, Understand and Foresee Evolution of Standards and Technical requirements, as well identify technical related critical risk factors, at International, National, and Inter-Company level.
Inspection Logistics : Map important requirements of Inspection Team travelling, hospitality, Customs procedures, transporting of specific inspection tools, insurance, Personal Protective Equipment avaliability, Safety Regulations and approvals, local lincensing, Work Permitts, etc..
Scope of Inspection : It is very critical to understand the Scope of Inspection, defining in the most proper way, the inspection targets. Corrosion Mapping, Integrity of Base material, Welds Inspection, Coating Inspection, etc.., are different scopes of inspection and required different analysis.
Landscape: Define the complementary activities, in predefined Landscape enviroment.
Human Resourses Availability : Evaluate the human resourses aailability, either within Swiss Approval and Client structure.

Services We Provide

Standards & Regulations: We define the Standards and Regulations, according which the inspection will be implemented. We propose technical inovvations to cover such standards in the maximum efficiency level..
Inspection Logistics : We offer a package in every inspection scheduled to be performed in clients site. Travelling and Hospitality at cost. Mobil and Demobil costs, clearly defined, but Free of Charge within 1 Day of travelling by car.
Scope of Inspection : Once the scope of inspection is clearly stated and defined, Swiss Approval is starting elaborate the Technical and Economical Offer to the Client.
Landscape : In our initial /preliminary visit in Clients site, we clearly define the supporting equipment and the acceptable conditions for perform the inspection properly. Insulation removal, works in high, cleaning of surfaces, and other inspection external requirements, are clearly defined and agreeg with Client.
Human Resources Availability : Level III authorised personnel, as well Level II Inspectors, including Operators and Experts, are agreed with the Client, befor inspection.

Critical Client Task

Inspection Methodology : Depending on the type of material, the geometry, the critical conditins, the kind of inspection we are aiming to perform, inspection methodology selection, is crucial for the whole inspection proccess.
Methodologies Combination : In most of the times, we need a combination of inspection methodologies, and this is crucial for the sucess of the inspection itself. Swiss Approval is a unique Inspection Body, combining the most well known and recognised Advanced NDT methodologies, within our company, as we do not use SUB-Contractors for inspection services. We have the capacity to afront every inspection requirement, especially combined methodologies.
Tools Selection based on methodology adopted : We select our inspection tools case by case, depending on the combination of methodologies selected to implement.

Services We Provide

Inspection Methodology : We select the most suitable inspection methodology for each component /part to isnspect, including intermediate equipment.
Methodologies Combination : We also define and select combination of inspection methodologies, depending on the particular conditions for each inspection service.
Tools Selection based on methodology adopted : We guarantee the last technology tools, properly calibrated, for the highest level inspection performance posible.

Critical Client Task

BEFORE INSPECTION - Surfaces Cleaning: Before any inspection activity, the cleaning of surface has to be performed in a proper way. Removal of Insulation and Cleanig is an absolute requirement for a sucessful inspection.
DURING INSPECTION - Inspection Service : The inspection activity is performed with a calibrated Tool, by authorised Personnel, and according the inspection procedures.

Services We Provide

BEFORE INSPECTION - Surface Cleaning : Under specific conditions we can further clean the surfaces, with COLD Works Pneumatic tools, suitable to work in places and enviroments with high level of safety.
DURING INSPECTION - Inspection Service : An Inspection Team of 2 Advanced NDT inspectors, is performing the inspection, and our equipment is able to REGISTER and Save all inspection data for further elaboration and reporting

Critical Client Task

Build Evidence: Build customized evidences, during every inspection process. Registration of all inspection data, is crucial, in order to build the most representative and sutable inspection report.

Services We Provide

Build Evidence : Reporting is the most crucial of all administrative activities. Reports are signed by the operator in the field, and then technicaly reviewed by the Technical Manager, signed properly and issued with all inspection details and supporting documents, such photos, diagrams, etc..

Critical Client Task

AFTER REPORTING - ROW Data Collection: All Inspection Data are collected and registered in our Inspection Data File, each file with similar inspection methodology and inspection tools. Swiss Approval is the owner of such Row Inspection Data, and this is our great legacy, makes Swiss Approval Unique Advanced NDT services provider.
Artificial Intelligence Data Base: The similar row Data, feed an Artificial Intelligence System, in order to develop our own Swiss Approval comparition tool, and be able to preliminary assess the results, before technical Review and assessment.

Services We Provide

AFTER REPORTING - Data Collection : Data are clasiffied according the similarity criteria, and registered in Swiss Approval Data base. Similarity criteria arebased on the inspection Tools caracteristics, Methodology Criteria, Standards requirements, Geometrical parameters, Material specifications, etc..
Artificial Intelligence Data Base : Through our Artificial Intelligence System, we will be able to have a first evaluation of findings, within seconds after Inspection Activities, with AI evaluation tool.

Who we are

What we do

How we work

We are an impartial and independent Inspection and Certification Body, accredited ISO 17021, ISO 17020, ISO 17065, ISO 17024, ISO 17029, by EU and USA based Accreditation Bodies.