Let’s Talk Tethers: Essential Crawler Technical Tips

The latest crawlers are an indispensable NDT tool. From platforms that navigate simple lengths of pipework and straightforward vertical and horizontal planes to customisable solutions created to overcome even the most complex challenges, the tether is the core element of the design.

This should be thought of as the equipment’s umbilical cord. It’s responsible for carrying the vital signals to and from the controller to the crawler. This link is a two-way street, along which navigation instructions are fed to the robot, as well as manoeuvring and operating the camera, LiDAR or any other equipment mounted on the platform.

Any anomaly along this pathway can lead to issues, including:

• Erratic locomotion and steering.
• Poor camera mobility, such as panning, zooming and focusing.
• Sub-standard picture, video and other data collection quality.

Therefore, using and maintaining the tether and connections is an essential element of good crawler use practice.

The Dos and Don’ts of Tether Care

• Do: ensure all personnel responsible for using the crawler are up to date with the latest operational requirements and crawler care.
• Do: check along the length of the tether and connections before every use to ensure there’s no damage. This should include both a visual and physical inspection. It’s also good practice to carry out another inspection after use and before storage.
• Do: connect and disconnect male-female connections with care. Heavy-handed use can damage the pins.
• Do: regularly clean the tether with a damp rag (using water only).
• Do: use a reel to coil up the tether when not in use. If no reel is available, be sure to coil the tether along the natural bend in the wire and not force it into position.
• Do: Use strain relief on the vehicle end of the tether.

• Don’t: apply any pressure to the tether, either during use or storage. Never step on it, drive over it, kink it or fully unspool it.
• Don’t: bend the loops any smaller than 18 cm / 7” in diameter.
• Don’t: overload the tether with unnecessary weight.
• Don’t: bend the tether beyond the minimum bend diameter.
• Don’t: let untrained or unauthorised personnel set up, break down or use the crawler.

These simple steps will ensure there’s no interruption in the quality of data collection and/or navigation of the crawler.

Crawler technology is advancing at a rapid rate and Nexxis leads the way in the provision of the latest options. No two NDT tasks are exactly the same and the innovative Nexxis service that matches the right equipment to customers’ testing requirements – no matter how complex – has revolutionised the procurement model.

From the Inktun Maggut to the Versatrax range, or highly adaptable Snowcat and Panther crawlers – or another option entirely – get in contact today to arrange an equipment demonstration to understand how the latest technology can streamline NDT in every location and industry.