ARTIO in Rope Access and Boiler Inspections

  • Insights
  • ARTIO in Rope Access and Boiler Inspections

Context

Rope access and boiler inspections are two of the toughest environments for non- destructive testing (NDT). Both involve hazardous conditions, costly downtime, and high expectations for accuracy. Whether inspectors are suspended by ropes on refinery towers or working inside cooled power station boilers, the limitations of traditional ultrasonic testing slow the process and increase risk.

Challenge

In rope access, inspectors rely on bulky, cable-heavy equipment strapped to their chest. Cables swing loose, snag on scaffolding, and interfere with climbing gear. Data is only delivered once technicians descend, often hours after measurements are taken.

Boiler inspections face a different set of pressures. Cooling, scaffolding, and cleaning must be completed before inspection even begins, costing operators hundreds of thousands of dollars per day in lost production. Data handling is slow and error-prone:

• Results are consolidated only at the end of shifts

• Data loggers must be downloaded and pieced together manually

• Errors such as mislabelling or missed sections are often discovered too late, wasting entire shifts

Solution

ARTIO redefines the workflow by combining compact, wireless hardware with a mobile app designed for the realities of field inspection.

Rope access: The unit fits discreetly in a pocket, with only a short probe cable exposed. The app can be worn on the wrist, freeing inspectors’ hands. Data can be sent instantly to the office without leaving position.

Boiler inspections: The built-in database ensures readings are labelled clearly and organised automatically. Supervisors receive updates every hour rather than twice a day, can request immediate re-checks, and track progress in real time.

Outcome

With ARTIO, rope access technicians capture more readings per hour, operate with fewer cable-related hazards, and provide results to clients while still in the harness. Boiler teams hand over data continuously instead of in end-of-shift batches, delivering clearer, more reliable information and avoiding costly rework.

Impact

The benefits extend across both disciplines:

Safer inspections – reduced risk from loose cables and bulky equipment

Faster turnaround – results transmitted in near real time, not hours later

Reduced downtime costs – fewer delays and more efficient inspections in high-cost environments

Improved accuracy – errors caught immediately instead of after shifts or once assets are back online

Key Takeaway


By combining HoloInspect’s digital grid projection with ARTIO’s wireless ultrasonic measurement, inspectors move away from repetitive, manual processes and into a streamlined, high-value workflow.

The integration means:

• Faster inspections of tanks, vessels, and pipelines.

• More accurate, consistent data capture.

• A clear pathway to NDE 4.0 practices, where inspection data is seamlessly digital and accessible.

Project Details

  • Client: Various
  • Project: Rope Access and Boiler Inspections
  • Product: ARTIO
  • Date: August 2019
  • Location: Worldwide