Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Inspection (FMPI) and Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) are common methods in the NDT field, and the Labino® UV-lamp, based on the MPXL as well as LED technology, is unbeatable using either of the methods.

A new generation - a new performance - Mercury - MPXL - LED

Before magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) became standard practices, traditional UV-A lamps were used in NDT, typically fitted with 125 W mercury vapor bulbs - the new generation of UV lamps are based on the MPXL- and LED-technology.

Mercury
A traditional mercury vapor UV-A lamp requires 15 minutes to reach full effect. In case the lamp is exposed to magnetic fields, it will shut-off, needing 10-15 minutes to cool-off and 10-15 minutes to warm up again. Burn injuries on the hands and face were common due to extensive heat generation.

MPXL
Lamps based on the MPXL technology reaches full power within 10 seconds, is not desturbed by magnetic fields and there is no heat generation. The intensity reaches from 3 000 to 45 000 micro watts per cm2 at a distance of 38 cm.

LED
The LED technology gives you - the latest technology, gives you other advantages - i.e. no UV B at all and a life time (diod) longer than ever.

Crime scene determines choice of filter
The degree to which various substances become visible when using different filters depends on the state of the substance (trace) and the surface on which the substance exists. Both UV and blue light can be efficient, for example, when searching for traces of semen. The conditions of the crime scene often will determine which sort of light (ie. wavelength) will be most effective. Criminal investigators therefore choose between using UV light, blue light, green light or a general crime scene filter in combination with the right goggles, depending on their needs.

Substances detected with UV and White light

Crime - UV and blood
Crime - UV and body fluids
Crime - UV and fingerprints
Crime - UV and fire investigations
Crime - UV and invisible ink
Crime - UV and narcotics
Crime - White light and crime scene investigation

White light - shoeprints, fibres, SAR, fire
Powerful intense white light enables the investigator to find evidence that otherwise might go unnoticed, such as dust impressions, shoeprints and fibres. Patterns and details can be clearly seen when using a Labino white light lamp, making it possible to take sharp clear photos. The Labino white light lamp is commonly used during search and rescue operations as well as when general lighting is needed at darkened fire scenes.

Forensic laboratory
Labino lamps provide intense illumination over a wide area, making them a popular choice among those working in forensic laboratories. Due to the high intensity and long lifetime of Labino bulbs, Labino lamps are a cost effective alternative to other more expensive and complicated light sources.

The Labino MPXL lamps deliver such concentrated UV-light that they can be mounted high above the stage or arena, where the normal white light lamps are mounted. This in turn enables lighting designers the possibility of creating extraordinary special effects. Labino lamps are currently used outside at several Disney Parks, for example.

The clever thing is that only the fluorescent material glows when UV-illuminated - everything else will remain dark or “dead”. This is a very effective way of highlighting small or large details on a dark stage, for example. In contrast, if white light (visible light) is used to highlight these small or large details, everything that is hit by the white light beam will be illuminated. Lighting designers are typically well aware of how to use UV-light to create special lighting effects. In the past, using those UV-lamps available on the market, it has been problematic for lighting designers to achieve the special effects they desired. The reason for this is that the old models of UV-lamps needed to be positioned close to the fluorescent object(s) in question, without any surrounding visible light present, in order for the special effect to be successful.

The Labino Spotlight and its subsequent UV illumination, based on the MPXL technology, makes detecting engine leakage easier. By mixing certain fluids with different coloured fluorescence, it becomes possible not only to identify engine leakage, but also to identify the source of leakage; i.e. oil, gasoline, diesel or glycol on spot. The new VISION 365 UV LED Torch Spotlight, based on the LED technology, is suitable for quick inspection and in areas hard to reach.

Detecting leaks in water heating plants and refrigeration systems
Preparing primary heat or primary cooling mediums with a fluorescent tracers makes it easy to detect even very small leakages as the leaking spot illuminates when exposed to high intensity UV-light. The method enables the user to easily decide which part is responsible for the leakage, the supplier (primary side) or the customer (secondary side).

Density control of filter systems
When general filter leakage is detected in solid-fuel power plants, the
Labino high intensity UV-light can be used to decide the exact location of
the leakage. If the primary (contaminated) air is prepared with fluorescent pigments or fluorescent tracers, the leakage will appear as a luminous beam on the secondary (filtered) side.

Examples from the Swedish industry-

Casco (Akzo Nobel) manufactures machinery for coating components with glue. For quality reasons they perform ocular surveillance by mixing a fluorescent substance with the glue and then UV-illuminating the surface of the glue coated object. Non-coated parts do not fluoresce. One or several Labino UV-lamps are fitted on each machine, depending on the size of the coated object and the amount of surrounding visible light.

Scania uses the same technique to determine if their truck chassis are completely coated with lacquer.

Ericsson uses Labino lamps on their production line for loud speakers, used in mobile phones. Since these parts are very small, they use a sensitive camera to detect non-coated areas.

Diary production
Due to health regulations, it is essential that the equipment used in dairy production, such as tubes and vessels, be cleaned on a regular basis. Some proteins found in milk and yogurt are fluorescent when illuminated with UV-light. By using the Labino UV-Spotlight, dairy manufacturers are able to discover not only if their equipment is clean but also where the left-over residue can be found.
Our Diary production customers use our UV-Spotlight as the fluorescent indications are only visible using the UV-Spotlight feature.

Sanitation - Detect Pet Urine
Another unexpected fluorescent substance is cat urine. Sanitation companies involved in the sanitation of apartments and private houses have recently discovered how effective it can be to use UV-light to illuminate the areas affected by cat urine. Instead of cleaning and repainting every room, only those areas that are covered in dry urine splash need to be treated, thereby saving the sanitation company both time and money. The UV-Spotlight is exclusively used in this application as it is the most effective lamp used in investigatory work performed during normal daylight conditions.