(Waygate Technologies: Huerth, Germany) -- Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business and global leader in nondestructive testing (NDT) solutions for industrial and energy infrastructure inspection, has announced the launch of Krautkrämer PAXYS, a portable phased array (PA) ultrasound scanner engineered for corrosion inspection.

The newest product incorporating the company’s patented comPAct technology packs high-performance phased array inspection capability into a compact, ergonomic design to advance asset integrity for oil and gas applications. The platform’s modular architecture is designed to accommodate additional probe modules for aerospace inspection applications, further extending its versatility.

“Our Krautkrämer PAXYS is not just a scanner, it’s a platform,” says Gregor Wolf, general manager of ultrasound at Waygate Technologies. “The interchangeable probe module design will allow customers to address different inspection challenges by swapping a module rather than investing in separate instruments. PAXYS brings our proven comPAct technology into the oil and gas corrosion market for the first time, making portable phased array inspection accessible to a new community of field inspectors. With forward compatibility built in from Day One, this platform is designed to grow alongside our customers’ needs.”

Miniaturized technology, maximum performance

At the heart of the scanner sits Waygate Technologies’ comPAct technology, which integrates PA electronics into a thumb-sized chip. This miniaturization reduces the volume and weight of the PA electronics by 100 times and decreases power consumption by 20 times compared to common PA instruments. The result is a high-performance device weighing less than 2 kg, with compact dimensions of about 151 mm (5.94 in.) length, 95 mm (3.74 in.) width, and 109 mm (4.29 in.) height, and a probe width of 48 mm (1.89 in.), which can be powered via a standard USB connection.

Built for demanding field conditions, the scanner meets IP65 standards and operates in a temperature range of –20°C to +50°C (–4°F to 122°F).

Engineered for the field

Krautkrämer PAXYS is designed to simplify deployment and reduce operational complexity in even the most challenging environments. Its four-wheel design with magnetic wear shoes ensures excellent load distribution and superior surface coupling, enabling it to hold its position on a structure so the operator can move freely without interrupting the scan. The entire system—including the scanner and a lightweight Windows tablet—fits neatly into a single backpack, making it ideal for rope access work, confined spaces, or pipe inspections in trenches.

With Krautkrämer PAXYS, a single inspector can efficiently manage the entire inspection workflow, a task that previously required at least two people.

For corrosion mapping, the X/Y dual-axis encoding ensures accurate defect location by tracking movement along both axes. Replaceable wear shoes with integrated couplant channels are designed to work on both flat and curved surfaces.

Connected, versatile, and future-ready

Interchangeable probe modules transform the device into a multipurpose tool in a variety of ultrasonic inspection scenarios, while the paired commercial tablet’s camera enables users to capture photos directly for the final report.

Connectivity through Wi-Fi or cellular-enabled PCs allows seamless integration with customer networks for efficient data collection, storage, and analysis. The device is compatible with any Windows 11 tablet, laptop, or desktop, with no proprietary hardware required.

The device complies with ISO 18563 standards and is designed for compatibility with future comPAct technology generations.

The Krautkrämer PAXYS scanner is available globally now.