REMOTE VISUAL INSPECTION/VIDEOSCOPY

REMOTE VISUAL INSPECTION/VIDEOSCOPY

Remote Visual Inspection or Remote Digital Video Inspection, also known as RVI or RDVI, is a form of visual inspection that uses visual aids including video technology to allow an inspector to look at objects and materials from a distance because the objects are inaccessible or are in dangerous environments. RVI is also a specialty branch of non-destructive testing (NDT). Technologies include but are not limited to rigid or flexible borescopes, video scopes, fiberscopes, push cameras, pan/tilt/zoom cameras, and robotic crawlers.

Remote is commonly used where distance, angle of view, and limited lighting may impair direct visual examination or where access is limited by time, financial constraints, or atmospheric hazards. RVI/RDVI is commonly used as a predictive maintenance or regularly scheduled maintenance tool to assess the “health” and operability of fixed and portable assets. RVI/RDVI enables greater inspection coverage, inspection repeatability, and data comparison. The “remote” portion of RVI/RDVI refers to the characterization of the operator not entering the inspection area due to physical size constraints or potential safety issues related to the inspection environment.

APPLICATIONS:

Aircraft engines (turbofan, turbojet, turboshaft).

Aircraft fuselage.

Turbines for power generation (steam and gas).

Process piping (oil and gas, pharmaceutical, food preparation).

Nuclear Power Stations – contaminated areas.

Any areas where it is too dangerous, small, or costly to view directly.

ADVANTAGES

Less mechanical disassembly to access subject areas.

Reduced NDT costs over other forms of testing.

Reduced shut downtimes and faster reinstatement of equipment.

Fewer safety constraints over manual inspection methods.

Faster, accurate monitoring of equipment condition during life cycles.

Better assessment of condition and timing prior to critical maintenance.

Faster identification, location, and isolation of faults.

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