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An automatic vision inspection system to read the alphanumeric product identifiers cast into pistons has been developed by Olmec-UK Ltd for an automotive engine manufacturer. The pistons must be checked immediately prior to engine testing to ensure that the correct ones are used. Starting an engine with incorrect pistons fitted results in catastrophic failure, with the entire engine having to be scrapped.

Thermal imaging is now an industry standard method for condition monitoring and preventive maintenance. Its efficiency and application flexibility has driven its take-up across all industrial sectors and, as a result, camera costs have fallen thanks to manufacturing economies. The technology is now eminently affordable and accessible to an expanding engineering community and the need for dedicated training has become an increasingly important and natural by-product.

The Technology Strategy Board has made great progress in establishing a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres – Catapults – its Chief Executive Iain Gray said in a talk at the House of Lords.

CorDEX Instruments, the UK manufacturer of instrumentation and equipment for hazardous environments, is introducing a world first at Maintec 2013, which is to take place 5-7 March at the NEC in Birmingham.

The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) has introduced a new NDT Reference app to complement its recently-launched NDT News app.

Certification according to EN 473: 2008 and/or ISO 9712: 2005, awarded before the publication of EN ISO 9712: 2012, remains valid until the next mandatory step in the certification process, ie renewal or recertification, which shall be carried out according to this international standard.

The standard now being used for the central certification of NDT personnel is ISO 9712: 2012 (which is the newly issued 4th edition). In Europe, this document has been adopted as EN ISO 9712 and is the replacement standard for EN 473.

GE Inspection Technologies attended the recent North East Scotland Branch seminar in Aberdeen and took the opportunity to welcome a new member to the area sales force and recognise the long service of another.

Since the start of the recession, Ultrasonic Sciences Ltd (USL) has been bucking the trend for the manufacturing industry, seeing a continuous rise in order intake, turnover and profitability. The culmination is that 2012 was a record year, yet again. In November and December, a total of six large inspection systems and other major equipment was delivered to companies in the UK, the USA, China and The Netherlands.

Tecnitest NDT has successfully expanded its distribution network to the UK market by securing a distribution agreement with Baugh & Weedon Ltd.