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SPECIAL REPORT I QUALITY
Aero engine inspection using GE’s XL Go+ borescope
important to the airline industry because unplanned aircraft on ground (AOG) can be costly if it results in delayed or cancelled flights. As a specialist provider of rental inspection instruments, Ashtead Technology’s Josh Thomas says: “Airline and aircraft inspection companies are some of our largest customers, renting non-destructive testing (NDT) instruments and remote visual inspection (RVI) equipment, in addition to the occasional hire of gas detectors.” A wide range of rental borescopes are
available with probe lengths varying from 3m to 9.6m, and probe diameters ranging from 4mm to 6.1mm. Maintaining a broad selection of the leading brands so that customers can choose the instrument that best meets their needs,
Ashtead Technology continually invests in the latest models such as the Olympus IPLEX UltraLite, the IPLEX LX and the GE XL Go. The Olympus IPLEX UltraLite weighs just 700g and incorporates a combined control and display unit that fits in the palm of one hand whilst freeing the other hand to guide the probe insertion tube. An LCD screen enables the user to view the internal components of the aircraft and observed images can be stored on a memory card as high-quality JPEG images and MPEG-4 movies, which can be downloaded to a PC for further analysis. A bright LED mounted on the tip of the monitoring probe clearly illuminates components for inspection providing sharp images and clear movies for reliable observation and analysis. The instrument’s insertion tube is both crush and abrasion-resistant, making it ideal for monitoring the internal components of a turbine engine. The IPLEX LX is also portable and lightweight, but includes a larger (165mm), rugged, daylight view monitor which can be worn, stood upright, or fastened to a tripod or mounting arm for operation in practically any environment. The LX also features a unique image processing capability which brings out detail in shadowed and highlighted areas to produce bright, contrast-balanced images across the entire depth of field. Still and movie images are stored on a USB flash drive. Another borescope that is popular for
aircraft inspection is the GE XL Go, which also delivers sharp, clear digital images and motion video which can be recorded to the internal flash memory or a removable USB ThumbDrive. The XL Go has no bulky base unit, no backpacks, no tethered scopes or power cords to get in the way.
More from inside the bore Ashtead Technology has experienced a surge in demand for hired video borescopes from the aircraft sector
and Thomas believes this is happening for three reasons: “There is a growing demand for borescopes because they enable inspection without the cost and delay of dismantling aircraft components. Secondly, instrumentation technology has advanced considerably recently, and we are now able to supply video borescopes that are very light and easy to use, but which provide extremely high quality images. Thirdly, we stock a wide range of the latest inspection equipment and our trained and experienced staff is able to offer advice so that customers hire the most appropriate equipment for each job.
“We find that customers choose to hire borescopes rather than purchase them, because renting provides them with continuous access to the best available technology, which is especially useful when unforeseen situations occur, because we can often deliver the next day or sooner in some cases.” In addition to the aircraft sector, a wide variety of other industries also employ NDT and RVI equipment for scheduled and non-scheduled engine inspections. These include the automotive sector and the power sector for industrial turbines and wind
turbines. ❙
www.ashtead-technology.com
Josh Thomas: Ashtead’s internal sales manager
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