Voliro (voliro.com) – the Aerial Mobile Robotics company – is integrating the first-ever drone-
enabled Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) payload, the innovative Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
technology developed by Sixpec®. This marks their first venture into adopting a third-party payload,
showcasing a commitment to their open robotic platform and advancing inspection technologies
and methodologies, notes a press release from the company.
Pulsed Eddy Current technology is a sophisticated method used in the NDT field to detect flaws, such
as Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), in insulated metal components and structures. By emitting
short, high-energy electromagnetic pulses, PEC systems can penetrate through various materials,
including coatings and insulation, to reveal hidden corrosion or metal loss without direct contact.
This technology is invaluable for industries where maintaining the integrity of pipelines, vessels, and
structures is critical, such as petrochemicals.
Traditionally, inspections for CUI require using bulky, heavy equipment on scaffolding, by rope
access, or by removing the insulation, posing safety risks and high costs. Voliro’s integration of the
lightweight, second-generation Sixpec® module onto the Voliro T drone, eliminates these challenges.
Their solution enables safe, efficient, and accurate inspections of hard-to-reach areas without the
need for direct contact or invasive preparatory work.
This groundbreaking approach was successfully tested at a refinery, demonstrating the capability to
detect early-stage CUI with up to 100 mm of insulation thickness.
The unique features of the PEC payload, including new probe design, noise shielding and canceling,
and specialized algorithms, ensure high-quality measurements through thick layers of coating and
corrosion (patents pending).