The landscape of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is shifting. As industrial assets age and engineering complexities multiply, the tools technicians rely on must evolve to be faster, smarter, and more reliable.
To meet these modern industrial demands, Sonatest has officially launched its highly anticipated next-generation instrument:
A New Baseline for High-End Portable Systems
The VEO3 established a rock-solid legacy for multi-technique flaw detection, but the XEO pushes past those boundaries by packing the true computing power of a high-end system into a beautifully modernised, connected architecture.
At its core, the instrument is built around three fundamental pillars: Simplicity, Capability, and Reliability. Operating on a powerful Linux KDE Plasma OS, the system is paired with an astonishing 32 GB of RAM and an industrial-grade 500 GB SSD that operates at lightning-fast speeds of up to 4 GB/s. This translates to zero processing lag, zero file size limits, and a multi-task file browser that allows technicians to load and read PDFs, image files (.jpeg, .png, .gif), and audio recordings directly on the job.
Key Features & Advanced Imaging Technologies
The XEO bridges the gap between field-ready portability and heavy-duty inspection capability. It introduces several game-changing hardware and software capabilities:
Watch the Sonatest XEO hardware overview and interface demonstration.
Multi-Technique Power in One Scan
Technicians no longer have to limit their probability of detection (POD) by choosing a single inspection method. The XEO is fully capable of simultaneously running:
- Up to 10 PAUT scans
- Up to 4 TOFD scans
- Up to 8 Total Focusing Method (TFM / TFMi™) scans
By deploying these complementary techniques concurrently within the exact same configuration, users achieve a vastly superior detection rate for complex defects in a single pass.
Stunning 4-Megapixel TFM Resolution
Defect profile fidelity is absolutely vital for precise flaw characterisation. The XEO features 16 built-in TFM propagation algorithms and can process up to 4 modes per TFMi™ scan. Powered by Sparse Matrix Capture (SMC) and specialised hardware acceleration, the unit delivers live, crystal-clear imaging with a maximum resolution of up to 4 megapixels per image without bottlenecking performance.
Live Onboard 3D Ray Tracing & Rendering
To completely eliminate guesswork out in the field, the XEO brings the power of onboard 3D live rendering directly to its vibrant, high-resolution 11.56″ touchscreen (1920×1080). Whether inspecting flat plates, curved parts, pipelines, corner joints, or complex T-joints, inspectors can validate their configuration using real-time 3D ray tracing to guarantee maximum inspection coverage.
Interchangeable Mini-Dock Flexibility
Engineered to be the right tool for any deployment, the XEO features smart-detection interchangeable mini-docks. This provides hardware-level flexibility to adapt directly to specific probe configurations, including options such as:
Dual I-PEX 64:64 channels
Single I-PEX 128 channels
Configurations incorporating up to 8 UT Lemo 00 connectors for traditional ultrasound and TOFD combinations.
Smart Architecture Optimized for Tomorrow
The XEO is explicitly designed to integrate into modern, connected industrial workflows:
Open Data Format (.ONDE): Your inspection data is entirely open. The specialised file format makes the XEO natively ready for future AI integration, third-party analysis software, and custom system automation.
Remote API: A comprehensive remote API gives corporate networks and automation technicians full access to parameters and live datastreams.
Uncompromising Connectivity: Equipped with lightning-fast Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, and dual USB-C ports supporting Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, syncing data or extending displays onto remote screens is seamless.
Advanced Tech Made Exceptionally Simple
Despite its immense computing muscle, Sonatest has ensured the user experience remains remarkably straightforward. The XEO features an incredibly user-friendly wizard workflow that guides technicians step-by-step through part selection, weld joint configuration, probe settings, calibration, acquisition, and post-processing. Because the navigation requires minimal training, teams can deploy immediately with total confidence.
Field-Proven Ruggedness
An instrument is only as good as its ability to survive industrial environments. Weighing just 5.2 kg including batteries, the XEO is encased in a robust housing certified to IP65 and MIL-STD 810H ruggedisation standards. It functions flawlessly in punishing environmental temperatures ranging from -10°C up to 45°C. Additionally, with two hot-swappable batteries delivering over 5 hours of continuous runtime, you can exchange power cells right at the inspection site without losing configuration data or waiting on system reboots.
Learn More and Up-Skill Your Fleet
The Sonatest XEO marks a historic leap forward for portable phased array ultrasound systems. By packing high-end processing capability into a field-ready package, it ensures NDT personnel spend less time managing menus and more time making critical, highly accurate decisions.
