Jan Reygers talks about the new technology allowing surveyors to determine potential costing issues
Observing coating damage is relatively easy, identifying it’s cause is much more difficult. To overcome this WreTec, a subsidiary of Wrede Consulting, is now using a high resolution mobile microscope to detect faults not visible to the naked eye.
This device would fit well within any forensic pathologist’s equipment. With the new electronic 3D microscope, WreTec scientists can accurately identify surface damage at a resolution that lies far beyond the perceptible vision range. The tiniest details are luminously magnified up to 6,000 times and displayed as a three dimensional image or video.
“With these high-resolution images, we can prove what was previously only suspected,” explains WreTec Managing Director Jan Reygers: “It means that we are advancing into entirely new dimensions in terms of analysing yacht coatings.”
The high-resolution device not only identifies visible damage but, more importantly, enables the causes to be determined. “A flaking clear coat can be examined with such precision in-situ that we can deduce whether the coating technician had performed any sanding between the application of the individual coatings and whether the achieved surface preparation was sufficient. The equipment also enables other types of surface damage to be displayed and categorised. For example, whether the paint was scratched during washing or if a smeared layer of polish has spoiled the surface.” says Reygers.
These findings are immensely important with regards to rectifications and determining the correct repair methods and are massively important when it comes to resolving warranty claims worth millions. “Not only are we able to determine problems that are present and what may be responsible for them, but also the rectification methods”, continues Jan Reygers. He adds, “The decisive factor is that our microscope is mobile, we can investigate on-site, irrespective of the location, without undertaking any major preparatory work in a very quick response time. Real time displays then assist in facilitating clear decision making.”
Pavel Jeljakin, Materials Scientist at WreTec adds “As soon as the steel or aluminium has been blasted, minimal residues can be detected that lead to corrosion and bubbling of the subsequent coat over a large area. With painted aluminium, this is a frequently underestimated and, up to now, completely invisible defect.” Dust inclusions, inadequately mixed materials, air pockets or ruptured micro-balloons in the resin can also be clearly identified. Not to mention maintenance errors caused by incorrect washing or polishing.
The WreTec experts developed the mountings for the mobile optics using a 25-tonne mock-up, which is available for training and testing purposes. “Only very few have this luxury,” laughs Jan Reygers.
In this respect, WreTec naturally benefits from its parent company Wrede Consulting, which is now one of the world’s leading paint consultants in the superyacht sector. For the company’s CEO, Kay Wrede, the electronic 3D microscope’s introduction is the logical progression of his 30+ years of experience: “This device is a dream for us surveyors!
For more details Tel: +49 (0)40 88 16 745 16
or visit www.wretec.com
www.wrede-consulting.com
