In my column last week, I asked, "We have asked questions like this before, but the situation is changing very rapidly now--when do you think you will see a working drone in your mill?"
60 percent responded "One to five years," 40 percent said "Less than one year," and no one said "Beyond five years."
Then I asked, "What is the first task you think a drone will do in your mill?"
Here are the responses:
>Inspections of difficult to reach and observe piping, tanks, and vessels for leaks, deteriorating insulation, corrosion, general safety inspections (housekeeping, especially) and security.
>Waste stock checking. Environmental agency sampling without formal entry to site.
>The first drone work in our mill was utilization by a contracted film crew to produce a safety video. The aerial shots were very nicely done. I can definitely see future drone employment in chip pile inspections/measurements, inspections of aging machine rooftops, and confined space inspections.
>Inspections, triaging potential issues to direct resources to most cost-effective areas
You may take this week's quiz here.