National NDT Services is proud to announce the acquisition of the HPX-1 PLUS Carestream CR processing unit in conjunction with the latest in CR/DR digital viewing software. These purchases have allowed us to bolster our already formidable array of advanced NDT applications and provided us with yet another opportunity to deliver world-class cutting-edge services to our existing customers as well as potential new customers.

The decision behind the purchasing of these products was as a result of the dynamic decision making of the company’s senior management, in particular, the company’s Technical Director – Mr. Ricardo Pillay. This is in keeping with one of the company’s core policies, which is to continuously be on the lookout for new and exciting NDT applications which we believe will provide fundamental benefits to our customers in regard to quality inspections and customer satisfaction. And all of this at a market competitive rate.

We will now provide a short overview, to you the reader, of the benefits that these products will bring.

The HPX-1 PLUS is the long-awaited upgrade to the original HPX -1 system. The primary upgrade revolves around the PML unit which has been significantly improved. The PML unit is what is used to convert the stored image on a CR film to a digital image. The HPX-1 PLUS optics also allows for improved sensitivity and reduces unwanted artefacts. The HPX-1 PLUS allows us to slightly decrease our exposure times while still achieving the required sensitivity. This is a significant development and allows for exciting possibilities for our customers in the Project, Workshop and Maintenance environments in regard to higher production rates. The adjustable PMT and Laser Power also allow us to fine-tune images for optimum capture.

The Carestream Industrex Viewing Software is unique in that it allows for viewing of CR as well as DR images on a single platform. From a customer’s perspective the viewing software is incredibly user friendly, and training is provided by us to the users so that they may receive the benefits from using said software. The software also allows images to be displayed in 4K resolution for the first time which allows for incredibly accurate analysis of images.

The benefits that will arise for customers are numerous. From a quality standpoint, it allows for vastly superior imaging of welds. It eliminates the possibility of reshoots and the attendant delay this causes in delivering results. The nature of the digital images allows for the transmission of the images to be sent to all the relevant role players irrespective of their location. Electronic storage also allows for easier storage of inspection data and the ability for it to be copied also provides an additional safeguard. From an environmental point of view, it eliminates the need for chemical processing and the additional burden and risk of disposal after use.