Abstract: 

There is a potential way to change the balance of power in the war on counterfeits with speed and precision. Initially, this is about transforming the economics of testing: accelerating inspection workflow; increasing the productivity of skilled inspectors, and improving the sensitivity and diagnostic certainty with respect to counterfeit. This is achieved by bringing the external test house to the warehouse by putting affordable and deployable 3D imaging on the test bench to deliver 3D clarity in 60 seconds. Only greater inspection efficiency and effectiveness can allow increased sampling to decrease counterfeit ingress.

Conventionally 3D X-ray (typically via Computed Tomography) has been beyond the reach of many organizations because of the infrastructure (lead-lined radiation room), cost (hundreds of thousands), weight (the same as two Nissan Micras), and (crucially) the full workflow time it takes to acquire an image. Making in-house 3D accessible can increase the quality of inspection from 2D and enable this greater barrier to counterfeit, with new technology.

Capability is important, but in order to ‘move the needle’ it is the economics that is important, specifically on-site inspection reduces component handling and transit, allows faster stock turns to minimize working capital and stock-holding risk, and increases the throughput capacity for a test, storage, or warehouse facility.”

Biography:

  Andy Barnes [Adaptix-NDE]

Andy Barnes read Engineering Science at Oxford University, then a Professional Engineer as a Chartered Member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology.  He joined the UK Government Fast Stream for a Defence & Security career where he was formally commended for his work in Iraq.  After this, he ran a commercial company before transitioning into technology post-COVID.  He joined Adaptix (a medical X-ray company) to lead the spin-out of a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) company for counter-counterfeit and QA in electronics and aerospace.