NDTScan provides advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions tailored for cygnus. Our services ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient diagnostics across all sectors, from aerospace to infrastructure. With cutting-edge equipment and over a decade of experience, we deliver certified inspections that minimise downtime and maximise safety. Trust NDTScan for reliable, data-driven reporting that enhances your decision-making and operational excellence.
NDTScan uses Cygnus ultrasonic thickness gauges to assess metal degradation, corrosion, and remaining wall thickness across a wide range of infrastructure and industrial assets. Designed for accuracy in harsh conditions, Cygnus systems are key to our inspections of tanks, vessels, marine piles, bridges, and pipelines — including hazardous or submerged environments.
Cygnus is known for its durable build and Multiple Echo technology, enabling through-coating measurement with no need for surface preparation. This makes it ideal for live inspections with minimal disruption.
Continuous Innovation in Thickness Measurement
Accurate metal thickness data underpins asset integrity and lifespan modelling. Cygnus provides consistent, calibrated readings that meet global NDT standards, allowing us to perform high-quality inspections across civil, marine, and energy projects.
Our Cygnus Thickness Measurement Systems
- Cygnus 4+ General Purpose Gauge: Our go-to device for dry-site thickness measurement. Combines ease of use with rugged IP67 casing and intuitive menu design.
- Cygnus 6+ PRO Gauge: Offers A-scan display, echo strength analysis, and data logging — used in advanced reporting scenarios for offshore, nuclear, and high-risk sites.
- Cygnus Dive Gauge: Specifically designed for diver-held use down to 300m. Frequently deployed in harbour wall, ship hull, and underwater structure inspections.
- Cygnus Underwater ROV Mount Kit: Allows mounting of probes on ROVs for remote inspection at depth — ideal for submerged piles and subsea infrastructure.
- Cygnus Surface Mount & Belt Clip Options: Enhances usability for rope-access inspections, scaffolding work, or vertical tank wall assessments.
Why We Use Cygnus
Cygnus gauges offer proven reliability, through-paint accuracy, and ease of integration into rope-access or confined-space inspections. Their devices are built to withstand field abuse while still delivering accurate results — which is why they’re a staple in our corrosion survey toolkit.
Other Technologies in Use
We occasionally use Sonatest or Olympus gauges for high-spec UT or TOFD inspections, but for rugged, real-world wall thickness checks, Cygnus remains our frontline solution.
High-Reliability Thickness Measurement in Demanding Environments
At NDTScan, our use of Cygnus ultrasonic thickness gauges is driven by one clear objective — provide accurate, traceable wall thickness data even in the harshest inspection conditions. From marine environments and chemical plants to aged industrial tanks and buried pipelines, Cygnus systems give us the confidence to assess corrosion levels and remaining metal life without compromising speed or safety.
The durability and versatility of Cygnus gauges make them indispensable for rope access work, confined spaces, and subsea inspections. Whether held by a diver, rigged to a scaffold, or integrated into an ROV mission, the equipment consistently delivers Multiple Echo readings that cut through coatings, scale, and surface roughness — providing true base metal measurements without the need for grit blasting or grinding.
This non-invasive capability reduces downtime and preserves asset coatings, supporting smarter maintenance decisions and protecting structural integrity in critical systems.
Rapid Deployment with Minimal Disruption
Cygnus devices are designed for ease of use on active sites, where shutdown windows are narrow and inspection access is limited. Our technicians can conduct wall thickness surveys without halting operations, using surface-mount fixtures, belt clips, or even single-handed operation for tight or elevated locations.
The built-in echo verification and onboard calibration features in Cygnus gauges provide confidence that measurements are accurate and repeatable, even in noisy or unpredictable environments. This makes them ideal for survey work during shutdowns, risk-based inspections (RBI), or as part of emergency response investigations.
We frequently use Cygnus thickness testing during:
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Internal corrosion assessments of process tanks and pipework
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External corrosion checks on marine piles and jetties
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Wall loss surveys for pressure-rated vessels
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Subsea inspections via diver or ROV deployment
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Vertical surface surveys using IRATA-trained rope access teams
Traceable Data for Engineering and Compliance
Thickness data from Cygnus gauges is not just accurate — it’s formatted for engineering use. The Cygnus 6+ PRO, in particular, provides A-scan visualisation and data logging capabilities, allowing our teams to capture, export, and archive readings across extensive inspection grids. We then process this data into reporting formats that support structural fitness-for-service (FFS) analysis, remaining life prediction, or repair planning.
All inspection data is traceable to calibrated devices, logged with GPS coordinates where needed, and supported by condition notes, environmental variables, and coating details. This means asset owners and engineers receive more than just a reading — they receive actionable data aligned with international NDT codes such as:
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ISO 16809 – Ultrasonic thickness measurement
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BS EN 14127 – NDT of metallic materials: Ultrasonic thickness measurement
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API 653 / API 570 – Tank and piping inspection standards
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DNV and ABS codes for marine and offshore structures
Where required, we deliver corrosion mapping using gridded data collection to illustrate wear patterns across a structure. This helps visualise hot spots, assess corrosion rates, and justify planned interventions.
Subsea and Underwater Thickness Testing
One of the strongest features of the Cygnus range is its subsea capability. We deploy the Cygnus Dive Gauge and Cygnus ROV-mountable solutions for underwater inspections at ports, coastal installations, offshore structures, and dam spillways. These gauges allow through-coating readings on steel and cast components submerged in salt or freshwater.
The Dive Gauge is used by our HSE-certified divers for close-up inspection of submerged piles, risers, pontoon supports, and underwater tanks. Its large buttons, bright display, and simple operation mean it performs well even in zero-visibility environments. For inaccessible or hazardous zones, we mount probes to inspection-class ROVs — integrating with our underwater video feeds and sonar mapping to produce full-condition reports with thickness overlays.
By integrating thickness data with subsea video and environmental readings, NDTScan creates a composite condition record that supports coastal engineering decisions, marine safety compliance, and asset risk management.
Supporting Rope Access and Vertical Surface Inspections
Cygnus’ compact form factor and robust housing make it ideal for rope-access inspection tasks. Our IRATA-trained teams use these gauges on vertical surfaces such as wind turbine towers, silos, tank exteriors, and industrial stacks. The belt clip or pole-mounted options allow us to reach challenging areas without erecting scaffolding or using MEWPs, reducing inspection costs and timeframes.
Rope-access UT surveys using Cygnus gauges can be completed quickly and safely, delivering spot readings or full corrosion profiles across large vertical areas. For critical assets like flare stacks or chemical tanks, this non-intrusive inspection method supports risk-based planning while avoiding unnecessary shutdowns.
Real-World Performance with Field-Proven Results
We use Cygnus thickness testing technology across every industrial sector we serve — including civil engineering, marine infrastructure, petrochemical plants, renewable energy, and utilities. In each application, the same principles apply: verify condition, identify risk, and provide reliable data to support inspection, maintenance, and lifecycle planning.
Recent projects include:
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Wall thickness verification on 30-year-old steel tanks for a power station life extension
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Corrosion mapping of bridge beams in tidal zones as part of a Network Rail assessment
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Subsea thickness surveys for offshore wind turbine jackets
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Internal pipe integrity checks using no-surface-prep UT methods during shutdowns
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Routine thickness audits on marine access structures under port authority contracts
In every case, the Cygnus systems proved their value by delivering rapid, accurate, and repeatable results — enabling NDTScan to supply critical intelligence that supports safety, performance, and compliance.
Precision That Protects Assets and Budgets
Wall thickness loss is one of the most common failure mechanisms in steel infrastructure. Undetected, it leads to leaks, breakages, and unplanned outages. Cygnus’ Multiple Echo technology gives us the edge in detecting this loss early — even beneath epoxy, marine growth, or surface corrosion layers. By catching wall loss before it becomes critical, we help our clients reduce repair costs, extend asset life, and improve audit outcomes.
Our reporting includes minimum and average thickness readings, remaining life calculations (where data supports), and recommendations for re-inspection or follow-up NDT if anomalies are found. All data is calibrated and validated, ensuring it stands up to third-party review or regulatory scrutiny.