Table of Content
- Role of Robotics in Corrosion Prevention
- Robotics and NDT
- Advantages of Robotics in Industry Growth
- Will Robots Take All Our Jobs?
- Future Trends in Robotics
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
Robots are changing how we safeguard our assets and infrastructure from the consequences of corrosion. The hard-to-reach regions or hazardous places for surface examination, and corrosion inspection, can be accessed through bots or crawlers or drones. This could certainly help prevent terrible & unfortunate failures. It also works to keep the people as well as the atmosphere safe & secure.
Due to the advancement in technology, machine learning, automation, digitalisation etc., one can notice so much progress & improvement at the intersection of robotics and NDT. Parallelly, there's an increase in efficiency, safety and jobs in the market. An assortment of robotic technologies is utilised to enter or access remote or hazardous spaces, perform accurate & repeatable examinations, or execute duties challenging to a human workforce.
Role of Robotics in Corrosion Prevention
Robots aid corrosion prevention in the following ways:
1. Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas:
- Robots can access and inspect remote or confined spaces that are difficult or unsafe for humans to enter, for Corrosion Prevention.
- Technologies like the ecoSUB autonomous submarine monitor underwater infrastructure for corrosion and leaks.
2. Accurate and Repeatable Inspections:
- Robotic systems provide consistent and precise corrosion assessments, ensuring comprehensive and reliable data collection.
- Dambot, used by the US Army Corps of Engineers, employs high-resolution cameras and LiDAR for detailed inspections of dam structures, aiding in Corrosion Prevention.
3. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):
- Robots with Advanced Sensors perform non-destructive testing, identifying corrosion without damaging the material.
- Apellix’s aerial robotics conduct NDT, preventing structural failures and extending the life of assets.
4. Increased Safety and Efficiency:
- Robots handle dangerous tasks, reducing the risk to human inspectors and allowing them to focus on higher-value activities, for Corrosion Prevention.
- The deployment of robots in corrosion prevention leads to safer working conditions and more efficient operations.
In the fight against corrosion, safety & accuracy are the two major drivers for robotics adoption.
“Robots do not attract any infections and do not inhale or exhale as they are lifeless beings. They are tools skilful enough for precision exceeding that of humans while collecting a surplus amount of data previously which was unavailable,” says Bob Dahlstrom, CEO of Apellix, an aerial robotics company with its headquarters in Florida, United States.
He further said, “We are at an unparalleled time in history where machines and robots can do more than ever before, and it's only just beginning.”
Dahlstrom is a serial entrepreneur and is highly passionate about constructing and designing robotic systems which are software-controlled, protecting people from any harm and save lives. He is a systematic presenter on the intention to use robotic systems for NDT, inspection, and evaluation (NDE) and has demonstrated this at various conferences. He is also the author of a chapter based on Robotic NDE Inspection in the Handbook of NDE 4.0 and is active with numerous standards bodies for robotic examinations.
“Robots are needed,” Dahlstrom said concisely. He adds,
“They’re something that can be utilised as a tool. Like any other tool, they’re only the right tool in the right circumstance. You don’t pull out a hammer when you need a screwdriver. But if you use these tools properly, you can replace what’s commonly referred to as dull, dirty, and dangerous work and spend your time as a corrosion specialist on higher-value things. You can delegate a lot of the grunt work, if you want to call it that, to some of these robotic systems. They’re very predictable, and they can do the same thing time after time.”
Robotics and NDT
Robotics has revolutionised NDT within the coatings and corrosion industries, introducing innovative methods that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and safety. These advancements reshape how infrastructure is maintained and protected.
1. Enhanced Accessibility and Safety
One of the most significant benefits of integrating robotics into NDT is the ability to access hard-to-reach or hazardous areas. Traditional inspection methods often require human inspectors to enter confined spaces or dangerous environments, which poses substantial safety risks. Robotic systems, however, can be deployed to these locations, reducing the need for human presence. Some examples include:
i. Crawlers and Submersibles:
Robots like the ecoSUB autonomous submarine inspect underwater infrastructure, such as pipelines and offshore platforms, for corrosion and leaks without exposing human divers to the dangers of deep-sea operations.
ii. Drones:
Aerial robots with advanced sensors can assess the structural integrity of tall buildings, bridges, and other elevated structures, eliminating the need for scaffolding or abseiling.
2. Precision and Repeatability
Robotic systems offer unparalleled precision and repeatability in NDT. They can be programmed to follow exact paths and perform inspections with consistent accuracy, ensuring comprehensive data collection and reducing the likelihood of human error. The examples include:
i. Dambot:
Utilised by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Dambot employs high-resolution cameras and LiDAR to conduct detailed inspections of dam structures. Its ability to produce precise, repeatable results enhances the reliability of corrosion assessments.
ii. Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT):
Robots equipped with ultrasonic transducers can scan large surfaces, such as storage tanks and pipelines, detecting flaws and corrosion with accuracy.
3. Advanced Sensing Technologies
Robots integrated with cutting-edge sensing technologies can perform various NDT methods, including ultrasonic testing, radiography, and thermography, without causing damage to the inspected materials. This capability is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of critical infrastructure. For example:
i. Apellix Aerial Robotics:
Apellix drones conduct non-destructive testing using ultrasonic and Thermal Imaging Sensors. These drones can inspect large industrial assets like storage tanks and wind turbines, identifying corrosion and other defects that could lead to structural failures.
4. Efficiency and Cost Savings
Robotic Systems in NDT enhance safety and precision, increase efficiency and reduce costs. Robots can perform inspections faster than human inspectors, minimising downtime and operational disruptions. Additionally, their ability to operate in hazardous environments reduces the need for extensive safety measures and equipment, leading to significant cost savings. The benefits include:
i. Reduced Inspection Time:
Robots can cover large areas quickly, providing real-time data and enabling prompt decision-making.
ii. Lower Labour Costs:
Robots free human inspectors to focus on more complex and high-value activities by automating repetitive and hazardous tasks,
Through enhanced accessibility, precision, advanced sensing technologies, and efficiency, robots provide a safer, more accurate, and cost-effective approach to corrosion prevention and coatings application. The role of robotics in NDT will undoubtedly expand, further revolutionising these crucial industries.
Advantages of Robotics in Industry Growth
Here are a few examples of the work robots can perform:
1. Developed by Eddyfi Technologies, a custom climbing robot which is equipped with almost eight cameras is utilized to examine the Port Mann Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge located in British Columbia. This robot’s circular layout enables the bridge maintenance personnel to conduct routine assessments of the bridge’s 288 supporting wires.
2. To examine dams, the US Army Corps of Engineers is field-testing a fresh robotic technology. The Dambot comprises various categories of sensors, for example - high-resolution cameras and LiDAR, i.e. Light Detection and Ranging, which are able to develop an incredibly comprehensive model of the entire outlet system.
Generally, an examination includes a human physically passing into the tunnel to take pictures of certain spots of concern and report anomalies by hand. Contrarily, the Dambot enables critical and repeatable examinations that can be perceived remotely so that inspectors can do their duties to a comfortable and safe extent.
3. A new robotic technique is being deployed to apply high-temperature coatings to missiles & hypersonic flight hardware in the aerospace industry as well as in the defence industry.
In an encircled automated spray booth, Aerobotix's robotic assembly line scans, sands, paints, and gauges complicated elements so that the precision outcomes needed in the extreme climate of hypersonic flight can be achieved.
4. According to the National Oceanography Centre, at 50 centimetres long, the ecoSUB - a tiny autonomous submarine — authorizes itself to be utilised in a wide range of applications.
Paired with other advanced technologies, just like autonomous surface vehicles and satellites, the ecoSUB can regulate infrastructure for problems such as potential leaks in pipelines, corrosion, etc.
Today, robotics is a rapidly growing industry. It's interesting to know that global robot density has virtually doubled worldwide.
- The volume of robots per human worker is approximately 126 robots per 10,000 workers, a figure twice as much of that between the years 2015 - 2020, according to the International Federation of Robotics.
- Moreover, in 2020 alone, robot density globally leapt from 113 units in 2019 to 126 units.
- Regionally, Asia has the greatest robot density in 2020, surpassing the global average at 134 units.
Quinn Holub, Gecko Robotics business development manager, says that there are many Asian and European countries surpassing in speed when it comes to the adoption of robotics in the United States.
He adds “The U.S. needs to scale rapidly, which will create high demand for people to not only design and build robots, but to maintain and operate them.”
Will Robots Take All Our Jobs?
Although robots are for the betterment of mankind, there is talk of how robots are eating up human jobs. Hence, an artificially intelligent robot is also laden with pros & cons.
It’s a matter of concern for many qualified & competent corrosion professionals and protective coatings craft workers.
As the field adjusts according to new equipment and technologies accessible, it may change the expected or desired skill sets and the day-to-day job responsibilities of corrosion/protective coatings specialists.
According to Gladstone International's Gooden –
“Robots don’t take away jobs, they make them more upskilled and better for the operators. We are in a market where manual labour isn’t desired, and we have fewer labourers, so using robotics to do 90% of the job means you can get more work done and pay the operators more, as they are worth it."
Gecko Robotics’ Quinn Holub explains that there is a rising demand for high-quality technical talent –
“There are so many excellent and high-paying jobs in the development of robotics and automation that it would be difficult to find a better career option.”
He explains further & says-
“The prediction I want to highlightht is that there’s still an enormous amount of work that can only be performed by humans. With state-of-the-art tools, the operator of tomorrow will create unparalleled value for companies across industries."
Gooden also tries to explain to those who wish to work with robotics within the corrosion and protective coatings business –
“Our industry needs people that have experience in this industry with a passion for robotics. Go to college and learn the high-tech stuff about robotics but do a summer job of being a blaster and painter to understand real-life Jobsite issues.”
Apellix’s Bob Dahlstrom says
“Go for it. Robots and corrosion are here now and in the future. Learn software programming and learn more about the fascinating world of corrosion. This is important work we are doing, and we literally are changing the world.”
Coatings and application technologies for robotics are largely utilised in the manufacturing industry, followed by the healthcare sector. However, the healthcare end-use industry segment is expected to grow at a moderately faster rate throughout the forecast period.
Future Trends in Robotics
The future of robotics in industries promises exciting advancements driven by continued innovation in robotics and automation.
- Automation will become increasingly sophisticated, allowing for even greater precision and efficiency in surface preparation and application processes.
- Robotic applications will expand into more complex tasks, leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance performance.
- Emerging inspection technology will enable robots to conduct more detailed and accurate assessments, improving maintenance and prevention strategies.
- Innovations in sensors and data analytics will further refine the capabilities of robotic systems, making them indispensable tools in safeguarding infrastructure from corrosion.
These technological strides will not only boost productivity and safety but also pave the way for new applications and opportunities within the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Robotics in coatings and corrosion prevention provide highly accurate and repeatable applications, significantly reducing human error and waste.
- Robots can operate in hazardous environments, safeguarding human workers and reducing the risk of accidents, thus enhancing overall safety in the industry.
- Continued advancements in automation and inspection technology will enable more complex and detailed assessments, driving further growth and opportunities in various sectors.
FAQs
1. How do robots improve safety in industries?
A: Robots can operate in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments, protecting human workers from dangerous conditions and reducing the risk of accidents.
2. What are some future trends in robotics for these industries?
A: Future trends include increased sophistication in automation for surface preparation, advancements in inspection technology for more accurate assessments, and innovations in sensors and data analytics to enhance the capabilities of robotic systems.
References:
1. Force Technology
2. InverRobotics
3. TWI Global
4. Eddyfi Technologies
