HD-CR 35 NDT Enables State-of-the-Art Digital Radiography Training in the Philippines

Established in 1977, the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Taguig Campus was one of the three pioneering technical institutions in the nation. The organization used to be known as the Manila Technician Institute. Resolution No. 100 s. was passed and approved by the BOR on 3 January 1985. The Manila Technician Institute was renamed the Technological University of the Philippines’ Taguig Campus in 1985 (TUP). Currently, it is regarded as one of the top educational institutions in the Philippines and is the preferred choice for about 10,000 undergraduates. Ermita, Manila is home to TUP’s main campus, while Taguig City, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Cuenca, and Lopez are its satellite campuses.

In November 2024, DÜRR NDT GmbH & Co. KG, with help from its local partner, Lingtec Instruments Inc., donated a top-of-the-line computed radiography (CR) scanner, the HD-CR 35 to its Non-Destructive Testing, Mechanical Engineering department. With digital radiography (RT-D) quickly replacing conventional techniques (RT-F), the aim is to expose undergraduates to the latest technologies adopted in the industry and the benefits they bring:

Image quality
Digital radiography produces high-quality images that allow for the detection of small defects and irregularities.

Image enhancements
D-Tect X imaging software offers the possibility of using analysis tools to enhance radiographic images without changes in raw data, in compliance to DICONDE.

Radiation dose
Digital radiography systems can use lower doses of radiation without increasing noise.

Speed
Digital radiography can increase the speed of processing and diagnosis.

Remote viewing
Images can be viewed remotely.

Sharing
Images can be easily shared easily between workstations in different locations.

Storage
Images can be stored in digital format and shared electronically anywhere.

Chemical processing
Digital radiography eliminates the need for chemical processing.

In a simple acceptance ceremony, the upper management from TUP Taguig Campus was on hand to receive the donation. The Head of NDT, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Prof. June Raymond Mariano commented “This donation goes a long way to help increase awareness and competency of our undergraduates when they leave the school for the industry. Thanks to DÜRR NDT, we can now incorporate the advanced RT technique (RT-D) to our NDT syllabus in practice.”

Mr. Renato Baloloy, the RT instructor in TUP added “Imaging plates incorporates the flexibility of films, while scanning it with the HD-CR 35 only takes only a fraction of time compared processing with chemicals. With such an easy to use and intuitive software (D-Tect X), I can’t see how anyone would continue with the conventional method (RT-F).”

With an admission of about 150 - 200 students annually to the NDT course in TUP, more than 2000 undergraduates are expected to be exposed to computed radiography and other forms of advanced RT technique in the coming 10 years.

DÜRR NDT seeks to establish partnerships with select educational institutes and training centres around the world to support the education of digital radiography and to foster the development of competency in these new technologies.

Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Taguig Campus is also fully supported by Philippines-based Lingtec Instruments Inc. who performs annual maintenance and any other required service activities to ensure the system is always running per specification.