Cobot Deployed Microwave Inspection

The ‘Cobot Deployed Microwave Inspection’ project under TWI’s Exploratory Programme aimed to provide a comprehensive solution for microwave inspection, utilising a collaborative robot (cobot) for deployment.  This solution incorporates data acquisition software that presents 3D inspection data overlaid onto the Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of the inspected component, enabling visualisation and analysis.  The successful completion of this project has significantly enhanced TWI’s capabilities in robotic inspection of dielectric materials with complex geometries.

During the project, trials were completed with samples of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and medium density polyethylene (MDPE) materials.  The trial results were instrumental in demonstrating the seamless integration of the microwave inspection device, cobot and software, thereby accomplishing the project’s primary objective.

A comprehensive demonstration of the technology was given at British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT)’s ‘Non-destructive Testing (NDT) of Composites Through Life’ workshop in March 2023, using a GFPR pipe elbow sample, kindly supplied by Future Pipe Industries, showcasing the capabilities of the developed solution.

The successful implementation of this project has opened up new opportunities for TWI in the renewable energy, and oil and gas sectors, as well as offering the potential to attract interest future projects, both of which provide prospects for future collaboration and partnerships.