‘Blink, and you miss it,’ is an expression that encapsulates the spirit and thrill of MotoGP. From maintaining the lead to reaching the finish line, a mere fraction of seconds is enough to decide the fate of the racers. Hence, as a part of the sensational and visceral edge of the sport, every minute detail matters. For instance, how do we detect the damage if the vehicle undergoes a minor collision during a practice run in the most effective manner without affecting the structural integrity of the vehicle? This is where Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) techniques work their magic in answering the question that warranties the safety of a rider. While only a handful of the solution providers can harness the best of NDI, Vetorix Engineering comes as a trusted partner who has been chosen by eminent manufacturers among the likes of Automobili Lamborghini.

At the outset, Vetorix Engineering was founded over three decades ago to serve the market of Non-Destructive Inspection for metal components. As an organisation always open to innovation, Vetorix Engineering currently combines different testing mechanisms to bolster its NDI inspections—taking a pragmatic approach towards its mission of delivering unique solutions and services. The company has acquired a solid base of prestigious clients in every part of the world from diverse sectors, including aerospace, racing, automotive, marine (leisure and commercial), among many others.

With composite materials gaining prevalence in aerospace and automotive manufacturing, Vetorix Engineering’s penchant for excellence propelled it towards combining NDI with computed tomography to detect material discontinuities that otherwise go unnoticed by the naked human eyes.

Banking upon its extensive knowledge and proficient technical team, Vetorix Engineering has emerged as the landmark in non-destructive inspections for a variety of applications. If truth be told, Vetorix Engineering considers the one-for-all NDI concept insufficient and believes that each application demands for a specific inspection technique. Hence, going a notch higher, it interjects two or more NDI methodologies with its state-of-the-art solutions to analyse defects that are “beyond the eyes” to notice. “To achieve results with utmost precision, we need to change our perspectives. Instead of looking at flaws and anomalies inside the material, we need to go beyond the surface,” says Luca Limena, Managing Director at Vetorix Engineering. He adds, “Our systems–standard computed tomography and instruments–perform thorough scans throughout the material surface and provide high definition images to easily identify the errors that otherwise might not be visible to the naked eye.”

Vetorix Engineering understands that to stay relevant in the competition, existing NDI methods need to be upgraded. For instance, to address the wave for composite materials in the aerospace and automotive industry, the company was quick to revamp its inspection strategies. It combined the existing NDI techniques with advanced computed tomography to ensure a thorough all-round inspection of the material. As a matter of fact, Vetorix Engineering has combined several advanced technologies such as phaseography, thermosonics, and more into its inspection services to make them more robust.

To achieve results with utmost precision, we need to change our perspectives. So instead of looking at flaws and defects inside the material, we need to go beyond the surface

Vetorix Engineering’s proprietary computed tomography technology (CT) is developed in collaboration with computed tomography experts operating in the medical field. Based on the Gantry architecture, this procedure makes it possible to inspect objects with varied dimensions and finds its usage in industrial sectors. The company’s tried and tested phaseography technique, a combination of ultrasound phased array and active thermography, analyses the structures in carbon fibre reinforced advanced composite materials. A stellar combination of transient thermography and the conventional ultrasonic methods, Vetorix Engineering’s thermosonic (the NDI methodology for diagnosing glass fibre reinforced composite materials) exponentially increases the accuracy and speed of the NDI inspection. Ideal for the marine sector, the company’s thermosonics is a stark contrast to the otherwise conventional grid checks.

Moreover, Vetorix Engineering incorporates sophisticated ultrasound phased arrays whose sixty-four piezoelectric crystals generate a wavefront within the object being inspected and generate complete analysis. This provides a detailed image of a wider area, which may be viewed by a cross-section sector scan from above by C-scan. Also, the company integrates an active thermography technique that thermally stimulates the surface of the target part (metal or glass) and eliminates the surface and internal discontinuities. Besides, Vetorix Engineering’s digital radiography successfully harnesses the potential of hardware and software components of the technology to generate results that makes the viewing, filing and reprocessing of images faster than the available analogical techniques.

Vetorix Engineering is always committed to solving the complexities of its customers. The specialised technicians at Vetorix Engineering arrive on-site within 24 hours and begin the resolution process. Apart from all the testing solutions, the technicians are trained to build customised diagnostic tools that enable clients to become autonomous during their routine checks. Such cutting-edge capabilities and superior competencies have garnered Vetorix Engineering contracts from supercar giants like Automobili Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati, and McLaren. The carbon fibre structures of Lamborghini’s Aventador models leveraged the state-of-the-art NDI techniques as the primary tools of inspection. In 2012, based on a contract with Porsche, Vetorix Engineering worked on the inspection of the carbon fibre components of the Porsche 918 Spyder. The company also has contracts with motorbike giants like Ducati, and is fast becoming the most popular and go to inspection services provider in the automotive sector.

In an attempt to combat the dire circumstances that COVID-19 has brought in, Vetorix Engineering has kept its services on the running by operating on a low level of production policy. The Italy-based firm is currently focusing more on inspecting small components of motorbikes that requires only two or three technicians.

In the coming months, Vetorix Engineering aims to prosper more in the CT scan department. As a futuristic company, it is striving to expand its capabilities. Furthermore, Vetorix Engineering is preparing to launch a new platform for the CT scanner. “Last year, we got the 9100 Certification in the International Standards for the aerospace companies. We aim to extend our services in the aeronautical sector as well,” concludes Limena.