Maintenance & Reliability News - Maintenance Journal

Maintenance & Reliability News
38
AMMJ
October July 20132012
Technological developments have meant that
the cost of the units has dropped significantly,
with the latest MX2 model half the cost of its
predecessor.
This has made the instruments affordable for a
wider range of customers.
Wheatley explained that other developments
have also had an impact. “Untethering
videoscopes from mains power has opened
up whole new market segments,” Wheatley
added. “Smaller organisations, like pest control
companies and business aircraft operators, can
now afford to use the latest test instruments.”
Leading the way
Olympus has been leading the world in the
development of LED technology used in RVI
instruments. The company also has patented
a technology called WiDER . This is a system
that increases the background signal—similar
to gamma correction in digital photography—
allowing less light to be used and reducing flaring
off surfaces and washing out of the image. “This
sets us apart from our competitors,” Wheatley
said. “Not only can we now put a lot more light
out of the end of the scope but we can use that
light far more effectively.”
Olympus videoscopes have many features
and functions built in to the unit which can be
accessed by purchasing software codes’. These
enable different measuring, recording and
reporting functions to be used during inspections.
The company continues its research and
development to improve videoscope technology
and enhance RVI functionality.
Meeting the needs of customers
Probes for videoscopes can be up to 30 metres
long. “While the standard 4 mm probe is suitable for
probably 90 per cent of all inspection applications,
Olympus is willing to work with customers to adapt
or modify instruments to meet their needs,” said
Wheatley.
Organisations for whom Olympus has helped develop
custom videoscopes include Rolls-Royce and Volvo.
To assist in the inspection of engines for the Airbus
A380, Olympus worked with Rolls-Royce to adapt
instruments and choose the appropriate length and
size probe to inspect turbine blades while minimising
the risk of components falling into the engine.
Olympus also works with the Department of Defence
to supply instruments to inspect the internal bore of
the barrels of artillery pieces. “Having instruments built
to military specs means that Olympus scopes have
enhanced durability and reliability,” said Wheatley.
Over the years Olympus has been called on to provide
solutions for some unusual situations. “One request
was from the Australian Zoo in Queensland where
they wanted to observe bee and insect activity in
logs,” Wheatley said. “Another was a requirement
from a transport company to inspect gas bottles
mounted to the top of its busses, but without the need
for the technician to climb up.”
Olympus produces a wide range of videoscopes
along with replacement parts and accessories. “For
every non-destructive testing application, Olympus
has a videoscope available for the job,” Wheatley
concluded. “The combination of ever smaller batteries
and better, brighter LEDs has changed the face of
scopes altogether.”
www.olympus-ims.com www.olympus.co.nz
Inspecting the inside of an insulated feed supply pipe
with an Olympus iPLEX Mk II videoscope.
Inspecting marine turbine engine manifolds with an iPLEX LX
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