Non-destructive Testing - Blog

Solving Real-World Inspection Problems with Mobile NDT Solutions

Written by David Wright | 11. August 2025 12:44:54 Z

Overview

  • Learn how FOERSTER’s Mobile Testing Units bring inspection capability directly to the field, enabling faster, safer, and more accurate decisions.

  • Explore real-world benefits: real-time flaw detection, regulatory compliance, and reduced maintenance delays.

  • See how FOERSTER supports MRO, energy, and manufacturing teams with rugged, efficient, spec-aligned mobile NDT solutions. 

Emergency landings. Failing components. Surprise recalls. These headlines aren’t just isolated events. In 2024, commercial aviation saw 46 accidents, including the Boeing 737 Alaska Airlines door plug incident that grounded aircraft nationwide. In other manufacturing industries unplanned downtime can exceed $260,000 per hour, often due to preventable failures or delayed inspections. 

In high-stakes industries, waiting to inspect is no longer an option. So, how can you keep aircraft, oil rigs, vehicles, and infrastructure safely operational, without the delays of centralized testing labs? 

Enter the Mobile Testing Unit. 

These portable, hand-held non-destructive testing (NDT) systems are built for real-world deployment—whether you’re on the flight line, beside a pipeline, or in a turbine hall. When inspections can’t wait or must be done in the field, Mobile Testing Units put high-precision diagnostics and compliance tools directly in the hands of your frontline teams, shifting maintenance from reactive to proactive. 

Reducing Risk and Downtime with Mobile Inspection Tools

For maintenance managers, quality leaders, and executives alike, the real cost of a missed defect isn't just repair. It is operational risk, regulatory exposure, and reputational damage. Yet many organizations still depend on legacy testing models: slow, centralized, and reactive. Mobile NDT transforms that dynamic:

  • Technicians can test in the moment, without waiting for lab time.
  • Quality managers get real-time, spec-aligned results.
  • Leaders gain assurance that compliance is built into daily operations.

The ability to catch issues before they escalate, right at the source, is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s essential. 

How Mobile NDT Simplifies Complex Part Inspections

Mobile NDT gives your team the flexibility to resolve real-time inspection challenges on the spot. Here’s what that looks like in practice: 

Inspect Hard-to-Reach or Irregular Components 
From curved aerospace parts to welded joints on remote pipelines, most inspections do not take place in the lab. Inspectors can evaluate complex geometries or large assemblies without disassembly, minimizing downtime while ensuring full coverage. 

Spot-Check and Troubleshoot in Real Time 
Instead of waiting on lab queues or pulling parts off the line, mobile NDT tools allow immediate verification. Whether you're testing conductivity, identifying cracks, or confirming materials, field-based inspections reduce guesswork and accelerate decisions. 

Ensure Compliance Under Pressure 
When every inspection must meet spec, mobile NDT helps teams stay aligned with OEM and regulatory standards even during tight turnarounds. Our tools support spec-driven testing and produce traceable, auditable results. 

Improve Maintenance and Reduce Downtime 
Technicians can identify and solve problems more efficiently, reducing the risk of unplanned downtime. It’s not just about finding defects—it's about enabling proactive maintenance before they impact safety, schedules, or costs. 

Simplify Purchasing and Support Your Teams 
With a growing range of ecommerce-ready probes, calibration tools, and accessories, it's easier than ever for maintenance leads or procurement teams to keep their operations stocked and compliant, without red tape or confusion. 

With decades of experience in eddy current testing, FOERSTER has built a Mobile Testing product line that meets the needs of today’s fast-moving, spec-driven industries. Our field-ready systems are trusted by:

  • Aircraft MRO teams using PW2000/4000-compatible tools.
  • Mining and metal refineries
  • Oil & gas and power generation technicians doing in-field flaw detection.
  • Recycling and metals processors validating material types on-site.
  • Industrial manufacturing companies ensuring in process inspection and tool integrity

We combine rugged, spec-compliant hardware with easy-to-use software and fast accessory fulfillment to support every stage of your mobile inspection workflow.

Actionable Mobile NDT Strategies for Every Role

If you're still relying on lab testing or manual workarounds to complete inspections, it’s time to modernize. 

Whether you're inspecting an aircraft panel, a forged part, or a pipeline weld, the ability to act immediately is no longer optional. It’s a competitive advantage. If you’re looking to improve field inspections, here’s how to get started:

For Line Operators & Inspectors:

  • Use mobile tools to inspect hard-to-reach or curved parts in place.
  • Perform spot checks immediately without lab delays.

For Quality Managers:

  • Deploy mobile systems to meet spec and audit standards across multiple locations.
  • Reduce inspection time while improving data traceability.

For Procurement Teams:

  • Select from FOERSTER’s wide range of probe sizes to ensure compatibility with your specific inspection needs.
  • Simplify recurring orders of standards and consumables with responsive support and fast fulfillment.

For Program Leaders & Executives:

  • Reduce the cost of downtime through proactive, field-based inspections.
  • Ensure compliance is embedded in daily operations, not just at audits.