In the food, chemical, cement or pharmaceutical industries, silos are key installations for storing raw materials or finished products. Their role is essential to the production chain, but their design - often narrow, vertical and difficult to access - makes inspection particularly tricky.
Yet these inspections are essential. A poorly maintained silo can quickly become a critical point, leading to production stoppages, safety risks for personnel, and even considerable economic losses. These challenges call for innovation. Thanks to the technology embedded in inspection drones, such as the Stereo2 developed by Multinnovit is now possible to carry out precise, rapid visual inspections in confined spaces, without human danger.
The difficulties of a silo inspection: a high-risk environment
Physical and environmental constraints
The characteristics of industrial silos make any attempt at manual inspection extremely difficult:
- They are often several dozen metres high, with a narrow opening at the top.
- Their interiors are dark and confined, with little or no ventilation.
- The walls are vertical and slippery, sometimes covered with residues (dust, organic or chemical matter).
- Temperature and humidity can be extreme, depending on the products stored.
These conditions make human intervention not only difficult, but also extremely risky. For maintenance workers, this means working at height, in an enclosed, poorly-lit and potentially toxic environment.
Major human risks
The slightest mistake can have dramatic consequences:
- Falls or slips when descending the silo.
- Intoxication or asphyxiation due to stagnant gases or lack of oxygen.
- Collapsing or sinking of bulk materials (such as grain).
- Inability to communicate with the outside world in the event of a problem.
It is therefore necessary to mobilize heavy safety resources: entry permit procedures, harnesses, gas detection systems, forced ventilation, etc., which lengthens lead times and multiplies costs.
The consequences of poor inspection or undetected defects
Ignoring or postponing regular silo inspections can have serious consequences:
- Alteration of stored products : mold, moisture, material agglomerates.
- Cross-contamination : in the agri-food sector, an undetected residue can lead to the loss of entire batches.
- Mechanical damage : cracks, weld fractures, corrosion.
- Unplanned production stoppages for cleaning, repairs or structural changes.
- And in the worst case scenario, industrial accidents involving the safety of personnel or the environment.
These consequences are not limited to direct costs. They also affect the company's brand image, customer relations and compliance with health, safety and quality standards.
Modern alternatives: inspection drones and ITV in confined spaces
Faced with the limitations of manual inspections, the industry has seen the emergence of a reliable alternative: autonomous or remotely-operated visual inspection drones.
TV inspection (ITV) by drone: an industrial revolution
ITV involves inspecting a silo using a drone equipped with cameras and a live transmission system. This method offers a number of advantages:
- No human entry into the silo.
- Inspection possible without complete site shutdown (in some cases).
- Quick identification of anomalies thanks to HD video.
- Archive images for later analysis or comparison over time.
Specialized drones for confined environments can fly without GPS, stabilize in tight spaces, and deliver detailed visual renderings in minutes.
Multinnov's Stereo2 inspection drone: the ideal solution for silos
Among the most powerful solutions on the market, Multinnov' s Stereo2 stands out for its robustness, image quality and ease of use. Designed and manufactured in France, it has been designed to operate in the most demanding confined environments.
Innovation for efficiency
The Stereo2 brings together all the technological know-how of Multinnov :
- 4K camera with real-time video feedback, enabling even the smallest defects to be spotted.
- On-board LED lighting system , with 4 powerful panels adjustable from the remote control.
- GPS-free stabilization thanks to proprietary algorithms, for smooth flight even without external visual reference.
- A strong, streamlined structure, allowing you to fly as close as possible to walls without risking damage.
- Ease of use : you don't need to be an experienced drone pilot to use it.
Thanks to its compactness and maneuverability, the drone can be inserted into a silo through a simple hatch, inspect the entire tank in just a few minutes, and leave again without interruption.
A tool designed for industry
The Stereo2 integrates perfectly into industrial preventive or corrective maintenance operations:
- It drastically reduces the downtime required for inspection.
- It eliminates the costs associated with staff safety .
- It provides visual traceability of inspections, with the option of sharing videos with quality, maintenance or safety departments.
- It improves the frequency of checks : an inspection can be repeated regularly, for better monitoring of the silo's condition over time.
Multinnov also offers comprehensive support, including training, demonstrations and responsive customer support, to ensure smooth integration of the Stereo2 into existing procedures.
A new era in industrial silo monitoring
Silo inspection has long been a costly, slow and risky operation. Today, advances in drone inspection are radically changing this situation. Thanks to the Stereo2 from Multinnovindustry professionals finally have a reliable, safe and cost-effective tool for monitoring their infrastructures.
Whether for preventive maintenance or in response to an alarm, this drone embodies a new approach to visual inspection in confined spaces. It combines cutting-edge technology with ease of use, with a strong promise: to improve the safety, efficiency and economy of inspection operations.
Adopt Stereo2means choosing innovation for industrial performance.
