Ultran Group Innovates High-Tech Solutions for Transportation Infrastructure Safety
As rising fuel prices spur demand for expanded public transportation services, a State College firm specializing in non-contact materials analysis may hold the key to safer and more cost-effective transportation infrastructure. Working in conjunction with an international consortium from the United States and Europe, The Ultran Group is pioneering non-contact ultrasound technology that enables efficient, nondestructive examination of rail lines, bridges and other transportation-related structures.
This patented technology allows systems operators and manufacturers to conduct material analysis and examinations without affecting the material or process being evaluated. For instance, the In-Line Railway Analyzer lets operators inspect their lines without stopping related rail traffic.
Filling a Definite Need
“There is definitely a need for this type of system in the rail industry,” says Mark Griffin, vice president of sales and marketing for Ultran. “Ultran technology enables rail providers the ability to detect problems in the track in a non-contact mode, allowing for quicker, more efficient inspections when compared with current methods.”
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central/Northern Pennsylvania (BFTP) has played a critical role in the company’s success. By the end of 2008, BFTP will have invested $436,000 in the firm. But as Griffin indicates, capital investment is only part of the benefit BFTP brings to the Ultran Group.
“BFTP has been very instrumental in providing resources for our marketing and sales efforts. Among other things, they have assisted Ultran in developing innovative marketing materials and helped investigate critical new market areas. For a company with limited resources, Ultran has received enormous benefit from BFTP, enabling us to gain an advantage in the market.”
Offering Clients a Wide Range of Choices
Ultran’s SecondWave technology allows customers to analyze and characterize a wide range of different materials non-destructively, regardless of composition or texture. Users can evaluate materials such as fiber composite structures, ceramics, foams and plastics during sensitive manufacturing processes without using the liquids that have traditionally been required for ultrasound readings–liquids that can often alter or damage the test materials.
This same industry-leading technology is also provided to other transportation, aerospace, wind power, construction and pharmaceutical markets, enabling critical material analysis and process control.
Ultran, through its system development partners, is now working with railway operators in Europe and the United States to test this innovative rail inspection technology.
“With a simple ping on the rail, the system can characterize the noise to determine whether there are deficiencies in the track, avoiding potentially catastrophic failure,” Griffin says. This is a major benefit to the industry and will be a great business for Ultran and its partners. The global market offers the potential for millions in revenue for non-contact ultrasound inspection systems over the next five years.