Low-power 3D X-ray imaging specialist Adaptix has signed a distribution agreement with The Sempre Group to supply its award-winning NDT technology in the UK and Ireland.
The agreement appoints Sempre as the official UK and Ireland distributor for Adaptix’s NDT3D Imaging products.
Representing a significant breakthrough in how X-ray images are captured, the Adaptix NDT3D system provides faster non-destructive testing than traditional methods. With results in minutes, not hours, the technology can be used across a wide range of traditionally-manufactured, composite or additive manufactured aerospace components, batteries, battery arrays and electronics.
Martin Holden, development engineering manager for NDT at Adaptix, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Sempre to bring our technology to a wider audience in the UK. As the industry moves towards lightweighting components, new methods of inspection are required to ensure they are fit for purpose. As well as inspecting structures made from traditional materials or using additive manufacturing techniques, the Adaptix NDT3D inspection tool can detect typical failure modes in complex composite structures, such as voids, weave variation, inclusions and needle porosity. Crucially, it can be used early in the manufacturing process, dramatically reducing waste, manufacturing- and inspection-time.”
Adaptix’s NDT3D technology was named the most exciting emerging technology at the Aerospace Technology and Innovation Awards earlier this month. The award, which is presented by the Aerospace Technology Institute, celebrates technology being developed in the UK that will support the journey to Net Zero 2050. Originally developed and matured for the medical sector, the low-power X-ray technology can inspect traditional, additive-manufactured, and composite components (including dry form) with a high degree of fidelity.
“We have shown that our technology can inspect smaller aerospace parts to the level of fidelity required by the industry, as well as successfully scaling-up this capability to image large aerospace parts, such as wing parts, doors and skins – while maintaining the required resolution,” said Sarah Small, CEO at Adaptix. “It is the perfect time therefore to sign this distribution partnership with Sempre and we are excited to be working with one of the leading names in metrology solutions for the UK and Ireland markets.
Jim Mangan, managing director at Sempre, added: “We are proud to have been chosen by Adaptix to bring their innovative NDT3D technology to the UK and Ireland markets. The technology promises to be a real game changer for in situ NDT and we are looking forward to supporting customers to access this exciting new tool that will enable them to detect potential failure points quickly and efficiently, supporting their own journeys to NetZero.”
The Adaptix NDT3D has been supported by the Aerospace Technology Institutes, the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme and the National Composites Centre. Its mobile NDT3D technology delivers comparable results to CT, X-ray and Ultrasonic testing, with several key benefits including significantly reduced scan times and reduced X-ray power and exclusion zones meaning imaging equipment can be brought directly to an aerospace structure with minimum disruption to busy hangars.