Portability is key for metals analyst

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 27, 2003

Mick Blanchard, Positive Metals Identification Consultant of Humberside, has become the latest customer for Niton's unique handheld nondestructive analyser for metals.

Mick Blanchard, Positive Metals Identification (PMI) Consultant of Humberside, has become the latest customer for Niton's unique handheld nondestructive analyser for metals.

Being battery powered, the Niton Xlt's portability will make Blanchard's job far easier when clambering around process plants to check pipe work etc.

However, another reason for investing in Niton's latest technology is that the Niton XLt does not need to be registered with the Environmental Agency, despite being based on X-ray technology.

The Niton Xlt alloy analyser contains no radioactive sources but uses a miniature X-ray tube.

Blanchard, a well-known figure on Humberside where he works in partnership with son Steve, is known as "Metal Mickey" to friends and customers because he has specialised in the PMI business for more than 20 years.

He qualified as an industrial chemist and previously ran a spectrographic lab at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant.

Overall, he has about 30 years experience in metals analysis.

About 90% of Blanchard's work comes from local petrochemical companies, for whom it's vital to know that metalwork used where hazardous fluids or processes are involved is correctly specified and installed.

Incoming material must be inspected to ensure the metals composition is correct.

An increasing amount of work involves prefabricated pipe work as it arrives on site; this must be checked to make sure that welds are acceptable and that the pipes on either side of the joins are identical.

Although some work takes place in stores and warehouses, a lot involves clambering around plant installations, often at a great height.

The Niton XLt X-ray tube alloy analyser is the number one selling handheld unit of its type on the market.

Alternative instruments for nondestructively testing metals are large and cumbersome, often requiring a trolley to move them about or mains power.

As Blanchard says: "Large and cumbersome is OK in a laboratory, but when you're five stories up on a tower or tank, portability is critical.

The Niton XLt is perfectly suited to that kind of task".

Blanchard first saw the Niton handheld analyser at a demonstration on Humberside.

He was impressed by its performance but had never considered using a radioactive-based instrument before because of the legislative hassle required.

"The Niton XLt gets you into X-ray without any hassle because it does not need to be registered as it incorporates no radioactive sources but a new miniature X-ray tube" says Blanchard.

"Basically you could not ask for a better solution in today's market place.

It's convenient, easy to carry, simple to use and low-cost to run - batteries easily last a day's work before needing recharge.

The results it gives are accurate and easy to understand and can be downloaded to PC.

All I need now is a battery-powered angle grinder and I'll be in heaven".