Cement plants are particularly demanding environments: silos, cyclones, ducts, chimneys, technical galleries - all these spaces are often confined, dusty and difficult to access. To guarantee the safety, performance and longevity of these installations, regular inspections are essential. Yet sending operators inside silos or ducts is a real challenge, both in terms of logistics and safety. Against this backdrop, the Stereo2inspection drone developed by Multinnovprovides an innovative and effective solution. Thanks to its design adapted to confined and hazardous environments, it enables precise, fast and safe visual inspections, and the detection of defects such as cracks, deposits or structural deformations before they become critical.
Context and challenges of cement plant inspections
In a cement plant, the installations to be inspected cover a wide range: cement silos, cyclones, filtration ducts, dust ducts, piping or kilns. These structures are subject to extreme conditions: high dust levels, air turbulence, high temperatures, vibration and total darkness. These constraints make manual inspection not only difficult, but risky: operators often have to work in tight spaces, wearing heavy boots, dust masks and safety equipment.
What's more, shutting down production for inspection also entails significant costs: plant downtime, loss of production, scaffolding or temporary access, security surveillance, etc. These constraints are prompting operators to look for more innovative, faster and less intrusive inspection methods.
This makes drone-based visual inspection a major alternative: it limits human intervention in hazardous areas, reduces business interruptions and improves the quality of diagnostics thanks to high-definition images.
How Stereo2 works
The Stereo2 from Multinnov is a drone specially designed for inspection in confined environments. It incorporates advanced technologies to respond precisely to the constraints of difficult industrial environments.
Main technical specifications :
- Compact diameter (approx. 39 cm) enables it to fit into tight spaces.
- Stabilized 4K camera to capture crisp, high-definition images, even in the presence of dust.
- High-power LED lighting: 10,000 lumens spread over 4 adjustable panels to illuminate hard-to-reach surfaces and reveal imperfections.
- GPS-free navigation: thanks to stereoscopic stabilization and internal sensors, the Stereo2 can be piloted with precision in enclosed environments or without a GPS signal.
- Real-time transmission: 1080p video feedback to the cockpit, accessible flight logs and data recording.
- Robust structure: carbon cage protects the drone in the event of collision, impact tolerance.
- Flight autonomy: around 12 minutes, sufficient for targeted inspection missions.
- Photogrammetry possible: videos can be transformed into 3D models using software such as Agisoft Metashape or Pix4D, and flight logs can be used to associate each image with its position.
This combination of technical features makes the Stereo2 particularly suitable for visual inspections in complex industrial areas, such as cement tanks, filter ducts or silos.
Practical application and operational benefits
Inspection of cyclones and cement silos
A concrete example of the use of Stereo2 is illustrated by a mission to a cement plant in Heidelberg (Belgium), in collaboration with Alphascan the drone inspected dusty, high and difficult-to-access cyclones, without interrupting production. Thanks to its powerful LEDs and maneuverability, it provided detailed images, enabling areas of wear, deposits or cracks to be spotted.
Reducing risks for employees
Stereo2 eliminates the need for operators to physically enter hazardous, dusty or confined areas. This automation enhances safety and reduces potential accidents linked to exposure to dust, heights or unstable structures.
Improved speed and efficiency
Stereo2 inspection missions are quick to deploy: there's no need to install heavy scaffolding, the operator pilots the machine remotely, and images are available in real time. This considerably reduces production interruptions and optimizes inspection times.
Precise diagnostics and predictive maintenance
4K images combined with photogrammetry enable structural defects (cracks, deposits, corrosion) to be identified with great precision. The data collected is then used to feed a preventive maintenance plan: teams can prioritize areas for repair before a problem becomes critical.
Savings and return on investment
By limiting human intervention, avoiding prolonged stoppages and optimizing maintenance, the use of Stereo2 generates significant savings. Reduced risks and logistical costs make this technology highly profitable in the medium term. Multinnov thus combines innovation and savings in a top-of-the-range "visual inspection" solution.
Visual inspection in cement plants is a major challenge: dust, confined spaces, height, inaccessibility... Faced with these constraints, the Stereo2 from Multinnov is a cutting-edge technology capable of transforming the way professionals examine their installations. Thanks to its stability, 4K camera, powerful lighting and robust design, it enables precise, fast and safe diagnostics.
The benefits are many: fewer manual interventions, reduced risks for personnel, time savings, lower costs, and better maintenance planning. By adopting Stereo2 for inspections of silos, cyclones and other cement structures, manufacturers boost their operational efficiency while keeping their budgets under control.
This innovative solution perfectly illustrates the value of robotized ITV in confined environments: a modern, safe and cost-effective approach that contributes to the sustainability and performance of industrial plants.
