Portable system for non-destructive evaluation of materials by active thermography

• Grant number: 20/05925-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: September 01, 2021 - August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Torres Novais
• Grantee: Eduardo Torres Novais
• Host Company: Subiter Tecnologia Ltda
• CNAE: Desenvolvimento e licenciamento de programas de computador customizáveis ; Serviços de engenharia ; Testes e análises técnicas
• City: São José dos Campos
• Associated researchers: Jose Jeronimo Rabelo Faria
• Associated research grant: 18/26122-9 - Internal defect analysis in composite materials by active thermography, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/06721-0 - Portable system for non-destructive evaluation of materials by active thermography, BP.TT; 21/09918-7 - Portable system for non-destructive evaluation of materials by active thermography, BP.TT; 21/09214-0 - Portable system for non-destructive evaluation of materials by active thermography, BP.PIPE; 21/09215-6 - Portable system for non-destructive evaluation of materials by active thermography, BP.TT; 21/09338-0 - Portable system for non-destructive evaluation of materials by active thermography, BP.TT

Abstract

The global market for non-destructive testing has an excellent growth perspective in the coming years. Leveraged by the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this market seeks simple, fast, automated, and connected systems. Active thermography outstands as an attractive method that delivers the aforementioned values. Despite being a new technique, it is possible to find in the scientific literature several researches that evaluate the technique for non-destructive inspection of high-performance materials. Subiter, a pioneer company in Brazil in the development of monitoring systems that integrate computer vision with thermographic images, has been carrying out a proof of concept with the support of FAPESP in a PIPE Phase 1 project for the evaluation of composite materials by active thermography. After participating in the PIPE High Tech training and performing interviews with potential customers, opportunities to act in the non-destructive testing market were discovered with theopportunity of developing new products. The current proposal aims at continuing the research initiated in the PIPE Phase 1, focusing on the development of prototype of a portable non-destructive inspection system. The configuration allows to use the technique in field applications, as well as in a specific stages of manufacturing processes in which other inspection methods are deficient. The project will be divided into stages aiming at the organization of tasks and activities related to the development of hardware, software, and integration of subsystem activities. In addition, preliminary and validation tests will be conducted, with the objective of progressively increasing the technological maturity of the product. The research team consists of 2 researchers and 5 TT fellows. The management will be carried out by the researchers, who will monitor the activities of each fellow according to the stablished planning, respecting the defined project deadlines. The results expected for this project are: training of a highly qualified workforce, capable of being incorporated by the company, and the consolidation of a Minimum Viable Product, ready for commercialization, increasing revenue and tax collection. Subiter strives to be an authority active thermography in Brazil and to be able to compete globally in the field of non-destructive testing over a 5-year horizon. (AU)