Enertis is a technical consulting, engineering and testing company that is employing the use of drones in order to cut down on inspection times and costs.
The company's PV plant in South Africa once used infrared imaging to detect heat anomalies across the 200 hectare plant, which would normally take two or three people and at least one month to conduct effectively. Now, it uses drones with infrared sensors that are able to detect those heat anomalies, and can identify malfunctioning cells or panels which can then promptly be fixed. This new method of quality inspection, if properly conducted, takes 20-30% of the time that the original method of inspection did.
Enertis' new quality inspection process is able to cut down on both cost and time, and provides an excellent example of the vast potential for drone use in the manufacturing process.
Heat-Detecting Factory Drones
Enertis is Utilizing Drones to Conduct Thermographic Inspections
Trend Themes
1. Drone-based Quality Inspection - Enertis' use of drones for quality inspection in its PV plant showcases the disruptive innovation opportunity for utilizing drones in the manufacturing process.
2. Infrared Sensor Technology - The integration of infrared sensors in drones allows for the detection of heat anomalies, presenting a disruptive innovation opportunity for industries that require thermographic inspections.
3. Efficiency in Inspection Processes - Enertis' ability to reduce inspection time by 20-30% through the use of drones demonstrates the disruptive innovation opportunity for improving efficiency in quality inspections.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - The use of drones for thermographic inspections in Enertis' PV plant presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the renewable energy industry to improve maintenance and detect malfunctions more efficiently.
2. Manufacturing - Enertis' drone-based quality inspection process highlights the disruptive innovation opportunity for manufacturing industries to enhance inspection efficiency and reduce costs.
3. Engineering and Testing - The application of drones with infrared sensors in Enertis' quality inspection showcases a disruptive innovation opportunity for engineering and testing companies to streamline their inspection processes.