Structural Integrity Associates (SIA), a leading engineering firm specializing in the analysis, control, and prevention of structural and mechanical failures, recently integrated the PLX-Portable system into their pipeline NDE workflows. The device is now being used to deliver quick, reliable material verification directly on customer networks, with results available immediately in the ditch. We recently spoke with Brent Maples, Senior NDE Specialist at SIA, to discuss how adopting the PLX-Portable has improved his day-to-day operations.
I’m glad that we’ve begun using the PLX-Portable system. It’s definitely streamlined the process for me, it’s cut my time in half, and at the same time I know the data is reliable so it’s a win-win for us.
Plastometrex (PLX): Thank you for speaking to us about your experience with the PLX-Portable, Brent. To begin, we’d love to hear about why SIA decided to adopt the PLX-Portable?
Brent Maples (BM): We started using the PLX-Portable in the work that we do because we found that accuracy of the data was very reliable, and another bonus for us has been the relationships that we’ve built with the people at Plastometrex in a really short amount of time.
PLX: Building strong customer relationships is key to our business so that's great to hear! Could you tell us a little more about how you’ve found working with the Plastometrex team?
BM: The support that we’ve gotten from Plastometrex has been really second to none. The relationships that we’ve built in a short amount of time have been really good, the response time has been fantastic.
They’re very supportive in terms of dealing with any issues we may have had and also taking any suggestions on changes that we would like to see made, so it’s been a really good thing for us. Plastometrex has been great, working with the team has been a really good experience.
PLX: What do you think of the PLX-Portable? Do you have any favorite features?
BM: The PLX-Portable has been great for us. My favorite feature is probably how it speeds everything up for us in terms of how long we’re actually on the pipe. I know the clients really enjoy that aspect as well, the time is probably cut in half for us.
And I do enjoy the software. The software walks you through every step and doesn’t let you mess up. If it doesn’t like something, it stops you and tells you what you need to do and you move on. It’s been a great tool for us.
PLX: What are some of the benefits you’ve found using the PLX-Portable?
BM: Some key benefits for us as far as using the PLX-Portable has definitely been how it’s sped up the experience for us. Previously when we would do material verification, we would collect data and we would get the results back in multiple days from the time that we collected it. With the PLX-Portable system, it’s great because we can collect the data there and within just a few seconds we can tell our client all the information they need to know as far as the grade of the pipe goes.
With the PLX-Portable system, it’s great because we can collect the data there and within just a few seconds we can tell our client all the information they need to know as far as the grade of the pipe goes.
PLX: What do you think about the data you’re getting from the PLX-Portable system?
BM: We trust the data that we’ve gotten from the PLX-Portable in our company because we’ve done a lot of internal testing. We’ve compared results the PLX-Portable has given us with the actual testing that we’ve done on the part, so we know that the data is very reliable (find out more about the system performance of the PLX-Portable).
PLX: Any final thoughts?
BM: I’m glad that we’ve begun using the PLX-Portable system. The hardware is really easy to use, the software is even easier to use, and the support has been really good. It’s definitely streamlined the process for me, it’s cut my time in half, and at the same time I know the data is reliable so it’s a win-win for us.
Thank you to Brent Maples and the team at Structural Integrity Associates for sharing their insights on how the PLX-Portable has enhanced their in-ditch, NDE work. Brent's experience using the PLX-Portable out in the field underscores the importance of accurate data and responsive support in delivering effective solutions for pipeline integrity.
Click here to learn more about the PLX-Portable system.
