MT Eagle
MT Eagle is a technology recently introduced for large area 3D imaging when used with 3DSL Rhino. Based on customer feedback, we have spent the last couple years developing MT Eagle. Customers approached us with the need to image large areas of corrosion or a large dent without the need to manually stitch individual 3D images together. Users found the manual stitching process slow and cumbersome. Our approach for a solution was limited by the fact that they also did not want us leveraging a marker technology that may be placed on the imaging surface. There was concern about markers covering up or hiding defects and concern about the potential of glue residue left behind that was used to hold the markers on the subject surface. Customers also wanted the ability to image extreme hot, cold and wet parts where markers may not adhere.
Acquiring and analyzing 3D data over large areas of corrosion (refer to Figure 1) or other damage is a critical part of understanding the integrity of pipelines, tanks, pressure vessels, and other assets. It is equally important to be able to image hot, cold or wet parts. The MT Eagle automates this process. No more placing markers or dots. With the MT Eagle, the alignment of multiple 3D images is automatic. Designed to work in conjunction with Seikowave 3DSL imaging systems, the MT Eagle ensues that all 3DSL 3D images are in a common, world coordinate system. With the MT Eagle, you can acquire data quickly and easily over a large area with confidence knowing that the system will produce a complete 3D model ready for analysis.
How Does MT Eagle Work
The MT Eagle tracking module enables automatic alignment of 3D data over large areas. The auto-align & merge is accomplished by using an optical tracking system and a special target fastened on top of the 3DSL Rhino camera (refer to Figure 2). The optical tracking system tracks the motion of the special target attached to the 3DSL Rhino and places all 3D images in a world coordinate system. This results in near perfect alignment of images. Further processing of the images is done using proprietary Seikowave software to create a perfect 3D model. This entire process occurs in a matter of seconds. This enhancement will greatly benefit customers imaging large corrosion areas or large dents.
Benefits of MT Eagle
There are a multitude of benefits by leveraging the MT Eagle technology with 3DSL Rhino:
Makes large surface area assessment faster, easier, and more reliable.
Saves time by not having to manually align and merge individual scans.
Removes the need to draw or mark the pipe for manual alignment.
Improves the ease of use for scanning.
Removes concerns of glue residue that could interfere with the coating process.
Removes concerns about imaging large areas that are extreme hot or cold or wet.
Applications for MT Eagle
There are a wide range of applications for 3DSL Rhino + MT Eagle. A short list of markets include: midstream transmission pipeline damage assessment (refer to Figure 4), chemical and petro-chemical plant inspection, aircraft inspection, bridge inspection, weld inspection, rail car inspection, etc. Large areas of anomalies can be assessed faster, easier and more reliable in each case.
Test Drive MT Eagle
Please come to NACE Corrosion Conference & Expo March 26-30, 2017 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, New Orleans to test drive this exciting new technology. Seikowave will be exhibiting our 3D NDT technology at Booth #2452.