The EMAT Test: High-Precision NDT Without the Mess

Voliro T drone with tiltable rotors performing a dry EMAT wall thickness inspection on a weathered industrial storage tank without couplant.

For decades, Ultrasonic Testing (UT) has been the gold standard for verifying asset integrity, yet it remains plagued by operational “friction”. Traditional piezoelectric transducers require a liquid coupling medium, such as water or gel o transmit sound waves into a material. This necessitates extensive surface preparation, including the removal of coatings, rust, and dirt, followed by a tedious cleanup of chemical residues. When these inspections occur at height, the friction multiplies. Organizations must invest heavily in scaffolding or rope access, exposing personnel to high-risk environments while assets remain offline. The Voliro T changes this equation by bringing EMAT (Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer) technology to the sky, offering the first truly “dry” high-precision NDT solution. The Science of “Touchless” Sound EMAT represents a fundamental shift in how we generate ultrasonic waves. Unlike traditional UT, which relies on mechanical vibrations from a probe, EMAT induces sound waves directly within the metal surface of the asset. The Lorentz Force: The transducer uses a combination of a static magnetic field and a high-frequency alternating current in a coil to trigger the “Lorentz Force” within the material’s surface. Dry Inspections: Because the sound is generated inside the material, no liquid couplant or mechanical coupling is required. Resilience to Contaminants: EMAT thrives on rough, greasy, or oxidized surfaces where traditional gel-based UT would fail. Coating Penetration: The technology can measure wall thickness through existing protective coatings, eliminating the need for abrasive stripping. High-Temperature Performance: EMAT is ideal for inspecting heated assets where standard couplants would instantly boil or evaporate. Technical Synergy of the Voliro T Payload The Voliro T EMAT payload is engineered to deliver laboratory-grade data in the harshest industrial conditions. Precision Specs: The system operates at a high frequency of 3.5–4 MHz, providing a resolution of 0.06 mm. Measurement Range: It accurately measures wall thickness from 2 mm to 150 mm. Operational Flexibility: The probe supports Echo-to-Echo, Single-Echo, and Auto Thickness modes to suit various metallurgical conditions. Lift-off Capability: The sensor maintains a stable signal with a maximum lift-off of 4 mm, allowing it to work over rough textures or thin coatings. Active Contact: Utilizing the Voliro T’s 6-DoF flight architecture, the drone applies stable force to ensure the 30 mm diameter probe remains perfectly positioned against the asset. The Economics of Aerial EMAT Transitioning to an aerial EMAT workflow isn’t just a technical upgrade; it is a massive financial optimization. 4X Faster Results: While manual NDT is slow and labor-intensive, the Voliro T can collect 50–100 high-precision readings per hour. Significant ROI: Case studies indicate that aerial EMAT can save operators over $150,000 per inspection by eliminating scaffolding and minimizing asset downtime. Zero Residue: Because it is a dry process, there is no chemical cleanup required after the flight, protecting sensitive assets from couplant-induced corrosion. Enhanced Safety: The drone removes personnel from hazardous heights, “hot” zones, and toxic environments, conducting the entire survey from the safety of the ground. Implementing the Dry NDT Strategy From elevated flare stacks and large storage tanks to small suppression rings and angled pipeline sections, the Voliro T EMAT system provides a scalable, compliant solution for the digital age. With live A-Scan visualization and immediate data syncing, your engineering team can make structural decisions in real-time. Contact us and architect your autonomous future today. Let us audit your site requirements and deploy the Voliro T EMAT ecosystem wherever you are.

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