From the GE DM5E to the Labino BigBeam Aero, the world is full of incredible devices that you’ve never even heard of. These devices require specialized training to operate, and they’re a little complex. You won’t hear about
From the GE DM5E to the Labino BigBeam Aero, the world is full of incredible devices that you’ve never even heard of. These devices require specialized training to operate, and they’re a little complex. You won’t hear about them outside the industry in which they’re used. But these devices and their operators are unsung heroes. Without them, we would face grave danger in everyday situations.
Believe it or not, this article isn’t about medical devices! Those have been covered elsewhere. We’re looking at test equipment in a different sector: NDT (nondestructive testing). NDT specialists test all sorts of things that we rely on every day, from the lug nuts on our cars to the bridges we drive over. Without NDT specialists and their incredible tools, we might hesitate to board an airplane or buy a house near a railroad track. And while NDT equipment doesn’t eliminate the dangers associated with all these things, it does help NDT specialists to detect flaws in materials before somebody gets killed.
1. Detecting Bridge Failures Before They Happen: The Seikowave Rhino
What it does: The Seikowave Rhino does many things. However, one of its most important functions is to provide detailed 3D images of gusset plates on bridges. These are the big plates covered in rivets which hold several beams together. These plates are critical to the structural integrity of hundreds of thousands of bridges across the US. In 2007, the I-35 bridge across the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour. The collapse was partially due to weakened gusset plates. If the Seikowave Rhino had existed at the time, arguably, it could have prevented this tragedy.
What would happen without it: Bridge collapses like the tragic I-35 incident in Minneapolis in 2007 would be far more common.
2. Keeping You Safe in the Air: Labino BigBeam Aero UV Lamp
What it does: The Labino BigBeam inspects aircraft hydraulics, oil systems, and lubricant systems for leaks. Technicians add a fluorescent additive to the fluid in question. This additive has no mechanical or functional impact on the fluid. The fluorescent additive lights up under my UV beam where the fluid is leaking.
What would happen without it: The Labino BigBeam prevents tragedy every day. If aircraft technicians couldn’t see leaks while planes were grounded, those leaks would lead to critical systems failure during service. Without the BigBeam, flying wouldn’t be the safest method of travel.
3. Saving Technicians in Explosive Areas: CorDEX TC7000 Intrinsically Safe Thermal Imaging Camera
What it does: The CorDex TC7000 is a thermal imaging camera. That means it takes pictures of heat, rather than visible light. This is important in many engineering applications. For example, it can detect an overheated bearing in a powerplant before it blows. It can also detect electrical problems or instances of heat-loss in a building. It prevents disaster.
However, the CorDex TC7000 is different from other thermal imaging cameras: it’s explosion-proof. In other words, it’s specially built to use minimum power, and it’s totally sealed. That means it won’t cause any sparks while it’s taking thermal pictures. It’s safe to use in explosive, dangerous situations—including the petrochemical industry, the sugar industry, the mining industry, and others.
What would happen without it: Inspectors would have to use uncertified cameras in explosive situations. Those cameras could produce sparks as part of their operation. Those sparks could ignite explosive gases or dust in the work area, which could kill the technician and anyone nearby.
4. Finding The Leak In Your Car’s Brake System: Magnaflux Penetrant Inspection Kit
What it does: Basically, it lets you check for cracks in ANY kind of non-porous material. It has several liquid components which work together to reveal faults. You’ll find it checking for leaks in car parts, pressure vessels, construction worksites, aircraft, and more. It’s used everywhere!
What would happen without it: Your mechanic might not be able to pinpoint the leak in your brake cylinder. Next time you slam on the brakes, you wouldn’t be able to stop. If this technology wasn’t used to test for cracks in an aircraft, that could be a disastrous pressure problem when the plane gets up to low-pressure altitudes. Either way, Magnaflux Penetrant Inspection Kits are saving lives.
5. Alerting You to Dangerous Moisture Conditions: Fluke 971 Temperature and Humidity Meter
What it does: The Fluke 971 tells you exactly how much moisture your material contains. That way, you know if you’re using damaged or under-dried wood in a construction project, for example. With its ability to read humidity, it can also alert you to the presence of mold or mold-friendly conditions in a basement or other damp, enclosed area.
What would happen without it: If you built a building out of rotting wood, or you failed to re