Results and Discussion
The comprehensive test conducted on
the vessel, coupled with a direct compar-
ison with a manual inspection carried
out by an inspector entering the vessel,
met the requested standards for inspec-
tion quality. The creation of a digital
twin streamlined the handling and
management of inspection data, facili-
tating easier analysis post-mission. The
automatic generation of the inspection
report also significantly reduced the time
required for post-inspection tasks.
The trials demonstrated that
robotics-based RVI can effectively
detect various damage mechanisms in
vessel shells and internal structures.
However, factors such as lighting angles,
camera positions, and automated
settings can impact image quality and
the detectability of pitting. Localized
pitting detection with zero-degree
ultrasonic inspection proves ineffec-
tive in heavily corroded vessels, with
external ultrasonic testing showing
greater success. RVI, structured light,
and stereoscopic imaging can measure
anomaly width, length, and depth,
although the accuracy may vary
depending on inspection conditions.
Vessel cleanliness plays a crucial role
in achieving optimal inspection results,
and while high coverage is attainable,
it relies on the inspector’s estimation.
Although calibration charts may aid in
assessing camera performance, their
direct correlation with overall inspection
effectiveness remains unclear. Utilizing
a plastic test piece offers a cost-effective
method to validate RVI capabilities, and
the integration of 3D mini-digital twins
enhances reporting compared to tradi-
tional PDF formats.
For more detailed information on the
conducted test and comprehensive results
analysis, refer to the HOIS report “HOIS-R-
070 C20-03 RII Practical Trials Report” [3].
Conclusion
In summary, the benefits of using
robotic visual inspection for confined
spaces in industry include:
Ñ High-quality, reproducible inspec-
tion data tagged with the asset’s
position and stored in a database.
Ñ A 3D virtual model tagged with
inspection data, known as a “digital
twin,” which serves as an IoT (Internet
of Things) building block and supports
digital integration strategies (such
as asset performance management
systems and data analytics). The
digital twin acts as the front end for
these tools, allowing for comparison of
repeat inspections with previous ones
to calculate trends and predictions.
Ñ Reduced outage time and costs
through offline preparation using
virtual planning and training. Safe
and simple operation of the robotic
tools is supported by full 3D spatial
awareness and 3D interactive control,
along with automatic inspection report
generation.
Ñ Process improvement through task
automation (such as automatically
repeating missions) and autopilot
functionality, enabling inspectors to
focus more on the inspection and less
on system operation.
Ñ Increased safety by avoiding human
entry into confined spaces.
These benefits apply to both asset
owners and service companies.
AUTHORS
Ekkehard Zwicker: Waygate Technologies
ekkehard.zwicker@bakerhughes.com
Brandon DeBoer: Waygate Technologies
brandon.deboer@bakerhughes.com
Markus Weissmann: Waygate Technologies
markus.weissmann@bakerhughes.com
Antoine Chevaleyre: Waygate Technologies
antoine.chevaleyre@bakerhughes.com
CITATION
Materials Evaluation 82 (7): 49–55
https://doi.org/10.32548/2024.me-04454
©2024 American Society for Nondestructive
Testing
REFERENCES
1. “Guidelines for the Application of Robotics
for the Offline Inspection of Pressure Vessels,”
SPRINT Robotics, April 2020.
2. “SPRINT Robotics Roadmap 2021,” SPRINT
Robotics, December 2021.
3. “HOIS-R-070 C20-03 RII Practical Trials
Report,” January 2023.
4. HOIS-RP-058: Recommended Practice for
Remote Internal Inspection of Pressure Vessels,
June 2023.
5. “HOIS Guidance on Image Quality for UAV/
UAS–Based External Remote Visual Inspection
in the Oil &Gas Industry,” June 2018.
6. ASME Section V: Nondestructive Examination,
Article 9, Visual Examination.
7. BS NE IS) 17637: Non-Destructive Testing of
Welds: Visual Testing of Fusion-Welded Joints.
8. “BIKE Platform Ultra Mobile Inspection
Robot,” https://www.bakerhughes.com/
waygate-technologies/robotic-inspection/bike.
9. “Shaping the future of non-destructive testing,
together,” https://esrtechnology.com/hois/.
Figure 12.
Example of
a 3D surface
scan of the
shell.
J U L Y 2 0 2 4 • M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N 55

VISUAL TESTING METHOD PERSONNEL
QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION:
AN OVERVIEW
BY MIKE ALLGAIER
Most major nondestructive testing (NDT) personnel qualification and
certification (PQ&C) schema address visual testing (VT) as a standalone
NDT method. However, there are significant differences between the
details of these elements. Various codes, standards, and specifications
delineate various requirements for personnel education, experience,
training, and examination of the candidates for certification. This article
addresses the common elements needed for PQ&C across different
codes, standards, and guidelines.
Introduction
Visual testing (VT) has long been
integral to other NDT methods, as it his-
torically has served as a prerequisite for
those methods. It was a prerequisite to
liquid penetrant testing (PT), magnetic
particle testing (MT), ultrasonic testing
(UT), and radiographic testing (RT)
when it was stated in those methods that
“surface conditions that would inter-
fere with the examination should be
evaluated and removed.” Level I/II cer-
tification took for granted that the pre-
requisite to PT and MT included the VT
knowledge and skills.
The VT method has gained its
own method status over the last 50
years. Early VT tools included the
human eye, a magnifying glass, a
dental mirror, a 6-in. steel scale, a
12-in. wooden ruler, and maybe a 50-ft
tape measure. Today, how to examine
an object has changed. The advent
of digital imaging has offered a great
expanse in the variety of instruments
available to capture digital images and
allow analysis of the part condition,
including measurement techniques
that are more and more sophisticated.
Remote visual inspection, also known
as RVI, can be used to inspect areas of
infrastructure from a distance that are
too dangerous, remote, or inaccessible
for direct visual inspection. RVI tech-
nologies include remotely operated
cameras, borescopes, videoscopes,
fiberscopes, and drones.
Background
When exploring PQ&C schema for VT,
we discover two major categories. The
first is direct VT (DVT) and the second
is indirect VT, more commonly referred
to as RVI.
The DVT examination definition
taken from the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code, Section V:
Nondestructive Examination, Article 9,
Visual Examination, states that the eye
should be within 24 in. of the surface to
be examined and at an angle not less
than 30°. This can include aids such as
a magnifier or mirror. The term “aid”
implies that the surface can be inspected
without these tools, hence the direct
method of VT.
RVI is used when the above
criteria for DVT cannot be met—for
example, when the surface under
inspection is only accessible with a
mirror, a magnifying glass, a series
of lenses in a borescope, a bundle of
fibers, a charge-coupled device trans-
mitting the image to a monitor (such
as a videoscope), or a telescope for
long-distance inspections.
With either category for evaluat-
ing hardware, there are three pillars, or
goals:
Ñ to acquire an acceptable image,
Ñ to evaluate the part, component, or
system test results, and
Ñ to disposition those test results to the
appropriate acceptance or recording
criteria.
To perform these steps, the inspec-
tor or examiner needs to possess the
core knowledge and basic skills for
common applications. In addition,
industry-specific knowledge and skills
unique to various industries, products,
or VT techniques are also required.
These are called industry specific
segments (ISS). When comparing
various industry PQ&C requirements, we
observe overlaps, omissions, and unique
criteria across different programs. Some
VT requirements are common across all
industries, while others are unique to
certain ISS.
Elements of Personnel Qualification
and Certification
Proper execution and evaluation of any
VT application requires the inspector
or examiner to be qualified in the VT
method using the applicable techniques.
Compliance with those qualifications,
along with written documentation and
a summary sheet, is known as certifica-
tion. Following are a few of the common
schema for VT PQ&C used in the NDT
industry.
American Society for
Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
The original recommendations for NDT
PQ&C date back to 1968 with the publi-
cation of ASNT Recommended Practice
No. SNT-TC-1A: Personnel Qualification
FEATURE
|
VT
56
M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N • J U L Y 2 0 2 4