Structural Integrity Associates

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Revolutionary TechnologyChanging how NDE is performed

LATITUDE is a non-mechanized position encoding technology that enables the digitization and recording of manual NDE inspections

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Travels Easily

The LATITUDE encoding system is compact and portable, consisting of a small transmitter, a lightweight collar, and a single battery-powered electronics box. That’s it. By contrast, a conventional automated acquisition system consists of a scanner, motion controller, couplant feed system, battery back-up, and extensive cabling. And it requires 120V power – the LATITUDE solution does not!

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Reduced Set-Up Time

LATITUDE adds minimal set-up time to that required for a traditional manual examination, whereas a fully automated system can increase set-up time by a factor of 5 to 10 times. Tear-down and demobilization times are similarly reduced for LATITUDE as compared to automated systems.

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Improved Inspection Efficiency

When LATITUDE is combined with innovative and optimized inspection procedures – such as scanning involving a detection-only approach – the number of required personnel and inspection time can be a fraction of that required with typical automated UT. The result is increased efficiency and improved overall production.

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Improved Fidelity

The LATITUDE system allows an examiner to manually apply and manipulate NDE sensors. This manual manipulation provides tactile feedback on surface condition, contact and coupling that leads to improved signal-to-noise results when compared to mechanized delivery. The manually applied sensor also allows the examiner to more efficiently discern and characterize component damage.

Technology Overview

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Applications

  • LATITUDE provides a fast and easily deployable data encoding alternative to cumbersome automated equipment
  • LATITUDE provides a digital record of the inspection
  • LATITUDE reduces the number of personnel required to complete an examination
  • LATITUDE encoding technology can be applied to a variety of NDE sensor types including phased array, TOFD, array eddy current, and others that warrant or require a permanent data record

Dissimilar Metal Weld Inspection

LATITUDE was used as the encoding technology on Structural Integrity’s recently qualified procedure, SI-UT-217 Rev 0. This procedure was qualified through the EPRI PDI (Performance Demonstration Initiative) program for application to nuclear plant dissimilar metal welds. LATITUDE is now considered a viable alternative for dissimilar metal weld examinations currently employing automated UT.

Weld-In Service Inspection

Structural Integrity offers in-service examinations employing procedures that take advantage of the LATITUDE system for both similar and dissimilar welds across a range of components in various markets such as fossil, chemical, nuclear and oil and gas. The LATITUDE encoded manual examinations provide proof of coverage and a digital record of the examination data.

Flaw Characterization

Structural Integrity can quickly deploy a LATITUDE based procedure to provide a third-party review of a found indication. We can rapidly confirm and characterize the size of a flaw. The encoded data can then be used by Structural Integrity to support engineering disposition of the flaw in accordance with ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and API (American Petroleum Institute) requirements. We can also harvest field samples for failure analysis at our Materials Science Center in Austin, Texas.

Corrosion Mapping

Be it general, flow-accelerated, microbiologically induced, erosion-corrosion or of another form, internal corrosion of piping and pressure vessels is a significant issue across all industries. Structural Integrity can rapidly deploy a LATITUDE based procedure to acquire detailed mapping of localized corrosion to support engineering disposition in accordance with ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and API (American Petroleum Institute) requirements.

Weld Fabrication Acceptance Exams

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) code allows the application of UT for newly fabricated welds in power piping as an alternative approach to typically more intrusive radiographic testing (RT). These allowances are specifically made in ASME B31.1 and B31.3 and several code cases. These code exams require an encoded data examination. We can rapidly deploy and support these examinations more efficiently utilizing the LATITUDE encoded manual inspection technique.

A First-of-a-Kind NDE Innovation from Structural Integrity

The first ever PDI-qualified manually encoded DM weld procedure

Read the entire News & Views article

Where Can You See LATITUDE?

18 JUL
Introduction to LATITUDE Webinar Request June 18 Webinar Recording Here
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PAUT Equipment

  • Integrated with Zetec’s TOPAZ PAUT instrument
  • LATITUDE controlled directly from the TOPAZ interface
  • Encodes the Ultravision data file directly on the TOPAZ
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Topaz Box

Fully integrated into TOPAZ system

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Transmitter Attachment

  • Enables tracking of axial (x-) and circumferential (y-) probe position​
  • Enables tracking of probe skew (rotation)​
  • Affixes to a variety of NDE probes by 3D printed fixtures​
  • Compact and unobtrusive to NDE probe manipulation​
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Receiver Collar

  • No exposed wiring, fully enclosed​
  • Conformable and self-aligning​
  • Modular design​
  • Compact and lightweight for transportation​
  • Flexible sensor spacing​
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Latitude Electronics

  • Sealed enclosure​
  • 2 hot-swappable batteries: ~10hr of use​
  • Connects to LATITUDE collar, transmitter, and PAUT electronics​
  • LATITUDE electronics attaches to the TOPAZ system with quick release clip for increased portability​
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