Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business and provider of non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions for industrial and energy infrastructure inspection, has introduced the Krautkrämer PAXYS, a portable phased array (PA) ultrasound scanner designed for corrosion inspection applications in the field.
The new platform incorporates the company’s patented comPAct technology, enabling high-performance phased array inspection in a compact and lightweight form factor. Designed primarily for oil and gas asset integrity applications, the system also features a modular architecture that can accommodate additional probe modules for aerospace inspection requirements.
“Our Krautkrämer PAXYS is not just a scanner, but it is a platform,” said Gregor Wolf, General Manager of Ultrasound at Waygate Technologies. "The interchangeable probe module design will allow customers to address different inspection challenges by swapping a module rather than investing in separate instruments. PAXYS brings our proven comPAct technology into the oil and gas corrosion market for the first time, making portable phased array inspection accessible to a new community of field inspectors. With forward compatibility built in from day one, this platform is designed to grow alongside our customers' needs.”
At the core of the scanner is Waygate Technologies’ comPAct technology, which integrates phased array electronics into a thumb-sized chip. According to the company, the technology reduces the volume and weight of PA electronics by 100 times and lowers power consumption by 20 times compared to conventional phased array instruments. The resulting device weighs less than 2 kg and can be powered through a standard USB connection.
The scanner has been engineered for demanding field environments and is rated to IP65 standards. It operates within a temperature range of -20°C to +50°C, making it suitable for a variety of inspection conditions encountered across industrial assets.
For field deployment, Krautkrämer PAXYS features a four-wheel design equipped with magnetic wear shoes that support stable positioning and consistent surface coupling during inspections. The compact system, consisting of the scanner and a lightweight Windows tablet, can be transported in a single backpack, supporting applications such as rope-access inspections, confined-space assessments, and trench-based pipe inspections.
The platform also incorporates X/Y dual-axis encoding for corrosion mapping, enabling accurate defect localization by tracking scanner movement along both axes. Replaceable wear shoes with integrated couplant channels are designed for inspections on both flat and curved surfaces.
In addition to corrosion inspection capabilities, the interchangeable probe module design allows the system to be adapted for a wider range of ultrasonic inspection applications. Integrated connectivity through Wi-Fi or cellular-enabled PCs supports data collection, storage, and analysis, while the paired tablet camera enables direct image capture for inspection reports.
Waygate Technologies stated that the device complies with ISO 18563 standards and has been designed for compatibility with future generations of comPAct technology. The Krautkrämer PAXYS scanner is now available globally.
