Non-destructive testing, evaluation, and inspection (NDT, NDE, NDI) equipment and techniques allow for the examination of an object without impacting its current or future usefulness. This capability can improve a product’s design, reduce manufacturing costs, and provide a consistent level of quality. The NDT equipment market is commonly segmented based on technology type, including ultrasonic, magnetic and electromagnetic, visual inspection, radiography, and penetrant testing. Major end-use markets include aerospace, defense, automotive, renewable energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, and more.
According to Frost & Sullivan, the global non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment market is forecast to grow significantly through 2022. This growth is attributed to infrastructure projects across the world, especially in the APAC region, along with the increasing demand to improve the quality and life cycle of machines. Some of the major companies involved in the production and manufacturing of non-destructive testing equipment are:
- GE Inspection Technologies
- Olympus NDT
- YXLON International
- Zetec Inc.
- Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
- Mistras
- Nikon Metrology
- Eddyfi
- Sonatest Ltd.
- Magnaflux Corporation
BCC Research reports that the global market for nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment and services reached $15.8 billion in 2016 and should reach $26.4 billion by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% through 2022. The global markets for optical and nondestructive testing systems for inspection and maintenance totaled $524.8 million in 2014 and is expected to grow from $571.0 million in 2015 to $875.7 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2015 to 2020. MarketsandMarkets provides coverage by both technique and component. The group reports that the non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection market profiled by technique was valued at $7.07 billion in 2016, and is expected to reach $12.06 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 7.83% between 2017 and 2023. In its coverage, MarketsandMarkets attributes increasing commercial success of NDT techniques and equipment to the introduction of advanced X-ray equipment, such as micro focus X-ray tools, integrated X-ray equipment, glass X-ray tubes with window, and radiation shielded X-ray equipment, and others. Furthermore, technologies such as computed tomography, phased array ultrasonic testing, and data management tools, have flourished thanks to advancements in the field of non-destructive testing.
Given the applicability of NDT, NDE, and NDI across multiple end user markets, it is no surprise that there are many events held each year to study new trends and opportunities in this field. The Annual Nondestructive Testing Management Association (NDTMA) Conference will be held in Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, NV the week of February 11, 2018. Additionally, the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) holds a variety of conferences that focus on industry and technology and involve a wide cross section of professionals from the world of NDT each year, the ASNT Research Symposium will be held in Orlando, FL from March 26-29, 2018. Looking beyond the US? The International Committee for Non-Destructive Testing also provides an extensive listing of events on its website.
Posted on January 16, 2018 by Eliza Gough