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Case Study

Peak NDT + University of Strathclyde

(Project 2) Embedding expertise in new and novel in-process ultrasonic inpsection application technique knowledge into the business.

Image of robotic inspection arm taken through prepped nozzle geometry ready for welding

Peak NDT

Peak NDT is a world leading ultrasonic NDT instrument manufacturer operating in the advanced technique niche of the NDT market. There is sustained growth forecast in this sector with increasing inspection requirements both during production and in service for key sectors such as Aerospace, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, power generation etc. 

Peak NDT Logo

What was the need?

The Challenge

Peak NDT Ltd. have had a long standing and prosperous R&D relationship with the University of Strathclyde through past KTP partnerships (Peak NDT Project 1) and Engineering Doctorate projects. This new Knowledge Transfer Partnership aims to build upon past successes to embed expertise in the latest, state-of-the-art ultrasonic weld inspection applications into the business.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a critical step within the manufacturing timeline, however, currently NDT of welded components occurs once the weld has been completed. High-integrity fabrications often found within the Nuclear, Defence and Energy sectors commonly require thick section, multi-pass welds when joining multiple components together. The disconnect between manufacture and inspection limits productivity and fabrication throughput along with increasing re-work where defects are detected post-build.

What did we do?

The Solution

In recent years, there have been increasing economic and industrial drivers to employ innovative, in-process inspection and monitoring strategies which combine NDT at the point of manufacture. These seek to ensure the earliest possible detection of defects, enabling quicker correction and repair, improving overall schedule certainty and importantly, reducing costs.

The University of Strathclyde has been pioneering in the development of in-process weld inspection techniques for over a decade, working alongside Peak NDT Ltd to provide fast and flexible ultrasonic inspection techniques at the point of manufacture. This KTP looks to further progress this research through industrial deployment within partnering company facilities.

What changed?

The Impacts and Benefits

Impacts for the Company 

This KTP has allowed Peak NDT to continue to work collaboratively with the University of Strathclyde in the development of new applications of ultrasonic inspection techniques at different in-process stages during welded manufacturing operations.  The project has provided significant knowledge growth within the team regarding the challenges for these applications and the use of our equipment in industrial environments. It has provided great insight to inform future development requirements for the application of Peak NDT’s instruments within these challenging integration environments.

 

Impacts for the Academic Team 

Working collaboratively with the PEAK NDT team has allowed us to mutually benefit across a number of areas. These include shaping and honing the innovations underway within both organisations, exploring new application areas, having clear industrial steering for our research activities and having aligned staff working across both organisations to deliver impact to the UK and society at scale and at pace.   

 

Impacts for the KTP Assoicate 

Throughout this KTP I have had significant opportunities to engage with industrial end users across a variety of sectors. This has given me invaluable insight into the wide range of industrial inspection applications out there and has allowed me to learn from some incredibly proficient and experienced people. I have been able to build a strong foundation of knowledge which will be crucial to my career going forward. I have been lucky enough to travel to various companies across the UK and the US to help enable the installation and testing of Peak NDT’s equipment into existing inspection applications, working alongside inspection engineers to optimise their inspection practices and techniques whilst also continually learning and expanding my knowledge of the industry.

I have also had the opportunity to gain industrial inspection qualifications during my time in the KTP, which has helped me significantly when putting my academic knowledge into practice during this project and will be incredibly advantageous for my future career within Non-Destructive Testing.

The Impacts and Benefits

The People

Meet the Team

Nina Sweeney

Professor Charles Macleod

  • Knowledge Base Supervisor

Simon Parke