Ensuring that an asset’s wall thickness remains within safe limits is critical to maintaining structural integrity and compliance. Industry standards like API 653 and ASME B31.3 call for regular thickness measurements to detect corrosion before it leads to leaks or failures.
But until recently, collecting this data meant slow, labor-intensive work using scaffolding or rope access — methods that expose personnel to risk and often require shutdowns. Some newer systems use crawlers or fixed sensors, but these can only cover limited areas and require extensive setup. Now, there’s a smarter, more scalable option: Voliro T.
10× faster UT inspections capture up to 200 thickness measurements per hour, eliminating scaffolding and reducing total inspection time.
Small crew operation: Performed by a two-person team—pilot and UT inspector—reducing manpower and simplifying logistics.
Reliable, high-quality data: Achieve precise, repeatable contact on curved or vertical surfaces for accurate, standards-compliant readings.
Here’s a detailed comparison of the inspection tools used in both approaches:
| Component | Traditional Rope/Scaffold Method | Voliro T Drone-Based Inspection |
| Measurement Device | Handheld ultrasonic flaw detector or thickness gauge | UT contact transducer mounted on Voliro T and connected to Voliro App for real-time visualization |
| Coupling | Requires manual application of coupling gel to each point | Coupling gel applied before flight, drone maintains stable contact using onboard sensors |
Surface Preparation | May require local cleaning or grinding to ensure good coupling | Clean surface improves accuracy; light coatings accepted. Heavy corrosion may reduce measurement quality |
Data Visualization | Readout on handheld unit or tablet, often verified post-inspection | Live A-scan displayed in real-time on the ground station |
| Data Logging | Manual notes, screenshots, or handheld memory; not always geolocated | Measurements stored onboard with location metadata; exportable in CSV or JSON |
Accessibility | Requires scaffold or rope access to reach elevated inspection points | Drone performs inspections on vertical or hard-to-reach assets up to 250 m high |
Crew Size | Typically 3–5 personnel to manage rope access or scaffolding | 2-person team: pilot and UT operator |
| Environmental Readiness | Operator fatigue and wind can impact quality; inspections often paused during poor conditions | Designed for outdoor use; stable contact in wind up to 8 m/s, 12 m/s in free flight |
Drone-based UT inspection measures the remaining wall thickness of metallic assets such as tanks, stacks, and piping to detect corrosion or erosion—without scaffolding or direct human contact. Using a contact transducer and couplant, the system sends an ultrasonic pulse into the material and records the time it takes for the echo to return, converting it into an accurate wall thickness value.
The Voliro T system enables this with:
In most cases, inspections take only minutes per asset section, with no scaffolding, no rope access, and minimal operational disruption.
Other UT inspection tools — including rope-access handheld methods, magnetic crawlers, and fixed ultrasonic sensors — offer only partial solutions:
By enabling contact-based ultrasonic testing at height — without scaffolding, shutdowns, or large crews — Voliro T delivers a faster, safer, and more scalable way to monitor asset integrity.
With Voliro T, you can:
