HERO 2.1-TRL7 Project
Adaptive, multi-functional, robotics technology for various curved surface inspection
This project seeks to research, design, and develop an advanced industrial inspection robot specifically tailored for non-destructive examination (NDE) on curvature surface of statics equipment. The primary objective is to create a robotic solution capable of inspecting both the interior and exterior metallic surfaces, including all areas positioning inside the tank and vessel to identify anomaly defects such as corrosion, wearing, or thinning by nearside view visual inspection (close visual inspection) and detect crack on inspected surface by Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Testing (FMT) method.
Pressure vessels, which are critical components in various industries, are prone to failure due to factors like corrosion, fatigue, creep, overload, and fast fractures. These failures pose significant safety hazards and environmental risks. Traditional maintenance and inspection (M&I) methods are not only hazardous for human operators due to confined spaces and heights but also result in extended downtimes and high costs associated with preparing safe working environments.
To address these risks and costs, the project of ‘Freelander Robots’, an RD&T (Research, Development, and Technology) initiative, was started and developed in March 2020. An overview of the research and development of Freelander robots by VISTEC based on PTTEP -Pillar 1 “Drive Value”, starting from “F-TECH” (TRL5, Phase 1-Research Level) with visual testing (VT) to “HERO” (TRL6, Phase 2-Development Level) with magnetic particle testing (MT) and now “HERO2.1” (TRL7, Phase 2.1-Deployment Level) for field inspection operations, is shown in Fig. 1. In this HERO2.1 project, the previous HERO system will be improved to ensure that the HERO technology is ready for field operational testing in accordance with the NDE written procedures for pressure containment equipment (e.g. Pressure vessel). This development and improvement will also target pushing the HERO technology to the final commercial phase (Phase 3-Commercialization & Service).
Official website: https://hero.vistec.ac.th/hero2.1