A photo of industrial infrastructure taken with a drone during an inspection

Industrial Inspection Drones streamline site and machinery inspection in industrial facilities. Pharma, Manufacturing, food production, refineries - we have services for all and more.

Regular inspections proactively reduce downtime

Industrial sites cover large areas and have many moving parts in them. The machines have to work properly to keep production going. Manual inspection is slow, complicated and causes unnecessary downtime. Drones are a cost-effective and simple way to perform routine and ad-hoc inspections. Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing and all other industrial facilities can be inspected efficiently with drones.

A confined space inspection inside a industrial chimney stack — Remote Monitoring

Remote Monitoring

The use of drone 3D modelling technologies gives you the opportunity to inspect a digital twin of a site from the comfort of your office. This detailed replica can be inspected at a minute level, allowing you to make a record of any areas that are in need of attention. Issues such as poorly executed repairs, general damage and other potential weaknesses can be shared with your employees, suppliers and other shareholders at the click of a button.

A close up of some structural fasteners during an inspection — Precise Measurements

Precise Measurements

Using drone photography and orthomosaic technology, allows us to perfectly reflect a geographic area. Giving you a crystal-clear top-down view that has been corrected for geometric distortions — resulting in a pinpoint representation of the Earth's surface. An orthomosaic map is a state-of-the-art measuring device for accurate readings of scale and distance.

A pipe rack inspection in an industrial setting — Locate Irregularities

Locate Irregularities

Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras allow you to accurately assess the condition of a industrial asset. Infrared photographs can be used to detect extreme temperature differences that can locate otherwise unseen issues, such as concealed moisture damage and heat leakage.

Structural members of a tank roof being inspected — Access to Hard-To-Reach Spaces

Access to Hard-To-Reach Spaces

The use of specialist impact-resistance technology deployed with our drones allows us to access areas that are otherwise too hazardous or difficult to reach. Get instant data from confined spaces without the time-consuming, labour-intensive and costly methods of the past, and with zero risk to personnel.

Why choose us?

Qualified engineers

As licensed engineers, we also provide the expertise, understanding, and knowledge necessary to carry out a thorough inspection, with deliverables to match. Our skilled engineers are at the ready.

IAA certification

The Irish Aviation Authority has awarded Engineers with Drones full approval in accordance with the most recent European-wide EASA regulations.

Latest technology

To ensure that you always get the best possible service and cutting-edge deliverables, we purchase the most up-to-date drone technology as soon as it's available.

Rigorous HSSE standards

The operation of Engineers With Drones is governed by a comprehensive HSSE system. Our guiding principles are to reduce risk through rigorous assessment, and to maintain a high level of staff education and training.

Fully insured

We have 6.5 million in public and product liability insurance, and 13 million in employers' liability insurance. Engineers with Drones are fully insured to fly wherever you need.

Based in Ireland

As we're situated in Ireland, we can respond to your needs quickly, with zero travel complications.

First-class deliverables

As seasoned engineers in the field, we are aware of the trouble that shoddy reports and deliverables can create. For this reason, we provide you with exactly what you require.

Quick turnaround times

Thanks to our fast turnaround times, your entire project can be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, without any compromise in the quality of your deliverables.

4K and VR Footage

In addition to quadrupling the resolution of an HD camera, 4K also gives you quicker frame rates, incredible contrast variations, and expanded colours. VR video takes the level of immersion and clarity to the next level.

Why use a drone for your industrial inspection?

Safety

The safety of your personnel and our own is paramount, and we place it at the forefront of our company culture. Ask us about our HSSE systems and practices.

Hard-to-reach spaces

Drones aren't just for flying up in the sky. Our specialist drones can fly into confined spaces like chimneys and boilers to look for issues that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Cost-efficiency

Drone inspections take up less of your manhours and resources than traditional inspections, giving you a faster and more budget-friendly return on your investment.

No traffic disruption

Downtime is expensive, unpopular and inconvenient. Using a drone, our engineers can conduct a thorough survey with little to no downtime.

No risk to your assets

Our equipment won't touch or even go close to your assets. Our high-resolution cameras use optical zoom to give extreme close-up views while staying a safe distance away.

Detect hidden problems

We use cutting-edge technologies to detect problems that would otherwise be invisible. These include ultra-HD photography/video, LiDAR and thermal imaging.

Quick turnaround

We understand that you need answers fast. We can deliver a plain-English report with clear-cut conclusions in days. Then, you can take the steps you need to and get back to doing what you do best.

Rapid response

Need us there in a hurry? No problem. Let us know what you need, and we can be there on the same day. After all, sometimes the problem just won't wait.

No extra equipment needed for hard-to-reach areas...

In large warehouses and factories, there are many things to monitor. Large ceilings and hard-to-reach areas are difficult to reach and inspect. Drones make it easy, they reach high areas effortlessly, without the need to climb or the risk of falling. Inspecting hard-to-reach areas reduces the risk of loose equipment falling. In pharmaceutical and food production facilities, there's a risk of contamination from falling objects. Proactive inspections save money by ensuring that everything stays where it belongs.

It takes less paperwork to send a drone into a dangerous situation than a human. This not only makes drones safer, but also saves you time before and after the inspection.

A drone inspection of an industrial pipe rack

Get a closer look without the hassle, delays or risk

Cover large areas in less time

Monitoring pipes and racks is more efficient with the use of drones. It's time-consuming to walk along pipes to visually assess them and check for leaks. Drones quickly fly over the pipes and confirm that there are no leaks or damage. Our inspections are faster, without compromising quality or safety. Humans get tired and make mistakes - drones do not.

We inspect enclosed spaces with the same ease as open areas. Tanks and vessels are inspected both inside and out. Fast drone inspections mean less downtime, allowing production to resume ASAP.

A confined space drone inspecting the inside of an industrial tank

Industrial machinery inspection includes...

Pressure vessels
Fridge containers
Storage tanks
Pipes and racks
Production Lines
And more

External as well as Internal - inspected with no need for scaffolding

We carry out a complete building inspection without scaffolding or climbing equipment. As engineers, we're familiar with industrial machinery. Different components require different approaches. No two sites are the same and we take all needs into account when planning the inspection.

We use a thermal imaging camera to examine roofs and building exteriors. Thermal irregularities are an indication of poor insulation and heat leaks. Thermography is used to inspect live chimneys, so that they can remain in operation during the inspection.

Processing plants, manufacturing facilities, refineries, and factories pollute the environment when they function poorly. A comprehensive inspection will alert you to all hazards inside and outside the building.

How does it work?

Reach out and tell us your idea

We take emails, phone calls, messages, everything! If you are unsure of what's possible we are happy to advise, the most important thing is to get in touch. We would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Start at the end

With drones, it's best to begin where you want to end up. What sort of deliverable would you like when it's all finished? If you are not sure then we can advise. We can look at what you would like and work backwards from there.

Scope of work and set a price

Once we have agreed on what is to be done, the scope of work is set and a price is agreed upon. We feel it is vital that everyone knows what they are getting and what they are paying for it. There should be no confusion.

Permits and other paperwork

Once we have confirmation you are happy to proceed, we start the ball rolling. We organise things like RAMS, site permits, Air Traffic Control clearance and much more. Basically, we generate everything needed to turn up on-site with all our ducks in a row.

Field Operations

Next, we do the work on site. We have the gear, we have the know-how, so now it's time to get the job done. This can sometimes be affected by the weather, but for the most part, we get the job done on the date specified.

Post Processing

This is where we take what we generated in the field and turn it into a final deliverable for you. This can be anything from the raw data itself, to fully processed Orthophotos, condition reports, CAD line work or thermal imagery.

Handover

The final step is the handover of the deliverables. We tend to use a cloud-based service, so you can access your data anywhere. We can also tie into your existing systems if that is more convenient.

Get a quote

Our Services Not just photos from the sky

Spoiler alert: we're not drone pilots. We're professional engineers who have learned to fly drones really well. If you're looking for a photo of your garden or a swooshing shot of your wedding reception, we're probably not the right people for you. But if you need an engineer's eyes and brain, combined with next-generation UAV technology and ready-to-roll deliverables, then you've come to the right place.

Drone Photography

Capture high-quality imagery of your assets from never before seen vantage points.

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