DNV GL and GSI cooperate on AI-based solution to improve welding NDT efficiency
At Marintec China Trade Fair in Shanghai, DNV GL signed a cooperation agreement with Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited (GSI) for a joint development project (jdp) to improve welding non-destructive testing (ndt) efficiency through the automatic detection and assessment of radiography testing (rt) digital images.
Chen Zhongqian, Chairman of GSI, and Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime, who initiated the project earlier this year, attended the signing ceremony at the DNV GL booth at Marintec China alongside other members of the management teams.
Zhou Mushun, Chief Engineer of GSI, and Norbert Kray, Regional Manager for Greater China at DNV GL, signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of both parties. Under the agreement, GSI and DNV GL AI Research Center will utilize the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology to develop a new solution for automatic detection and assessment of welding seam indications in RT digital images.
Ship building involves countless welds. Xrays are used to detect weld imperfections, e.g. porosity, slag, and cracks. These Xray images need to be reviewed by non-destructive testing experts, which is very time-consuming. By replacing the manual assessment of welding seam indications with artificial intelligence algorithms, human efforts will only be necessary for the final acceptance review. Thus, unacceptable welds are reported much more quickly, which can lead to shorter building times.
2019 was a milestone year for the cooperation between GSI and DNV GL, with the 150th DNV GL classed vessels built at GSI. The types of vessels include oil tankers, bulk carriers, semi-submersibles, ro-ro vessels, and polar transport ships. In order to further strengthen the relationship, DNV GL and GSI signed a multi-year strategic cooperation agreement in March.
ABOUT GSI
GSI, the largest and strongest navy support and coast guard vessels builder in South China parented by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, is an important modern key shipbuilding enterprise with the capacity to design and construct various vessels under 400,000dwt that meet the requirements of the major classification societies of the world. The annual accomplished shipbuilding output can reach up to 3.50 million dwt. As the largest shipbuilding base in South China, GSI takes the leadership in the shipbuilding market in the segments of MR, LRI, AFRA, LRII tankers, VLCCs, VLOCs, and high-tech and value-added ships including ro-pax vessels, semi-sub heavy lift vessels, polar class vessels and special support vessels. Guangzhou Wenchong Dockyard Co., Ltd as one subsidiary of GSI with the latter fully supporting, the yard belongs to the top ten Chinese enterprises in ship repairing and conversion for decades. It can repair more than 260 vessels annually.
ABOUT GSI MTL
As an independent accounting unit of GSI, Metrology and Testing Laboratory of Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd. (GSI MTL) has been providing measurement and testing technical services for GSI and the society from 2002, and has technical capabilities in verification, calibration and test of measuring instruments, ship performance test, chemical composition analysis of metal materials and petroleum products, testing of mechanical properties, metallographic analysis, failure analysis of metallic materials, non-destructive testing of metal materials and structural parts etc. GSI MTL mainly has eight qualifications, including China Metrology Accreditation Certificate (CMA), Laboratory Accreditation Certificate (CNAS), License of National Defense Measurement Technology Institution, Approval Certificate of Service Supplier (non-destructive testing and noise measurement on board ship) and Certificate of Test Agency Approval (Metallic materials products physical testing and chemical analysis) of China Classification Society, and Approval of Service Supplier (Non-destructive Testing) of DNV GL.
ABOUT DNV GL – MARITIME
DNV GL is the world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry.