Robotic Inspection | Bristol | Advanced Mechanical Systems Ltd

About Advanced Mechanical Systems Ltd

Advanced Mechanical Systems Ltd; AMS; is a UK engineering company specialising in bespoke robotic inspection systems for restricted access environments. Our work focuses on compact mechanical platforms; crawlers; carriers and tools that enable Non Destructive Testing inside pipework and structures where conventional solutions cannot be deployed.

We design and build equipment for clients who already know what they need to inspect and which NDT techniques they wish to use; but who do not have suitable hardware to get those techniques into position. AMS provides the robotic and mechanical interface between the inspection requirement; the access constraints and the client’s preferred instruments and procedures.

What we do

AMS delivers end to end mechanical and robotic engineering for inspection applications; from initial concept through to equipment used on site.

Our core activities include;

• Mechanical and mechatronic design for robotic inspection systems
• Miniaturised in pipe and confined space robotic platforms
• Custom insertion tools; fixtures and carriers for client specified probes; sensors and cameras
• Control concepts and linkage to client control and data acquisition hardware
• Prototyping; manufacture; assembly and functional testing
• Technical documentation; operation and maintenance support

The emphasis is on practical; robust equipment that can be deployed in real environments; not research demonstrators or off the shelf catalog products.

How we work

Projects typically begin with a review of the inspection objective; access routes; interfaces and any existing tooling. We map the required inspection coverage against the physical constraints; then develop one or more mechanical concepts that can achieve that coverage using the client’s chosen techniques.

Once a preferred approach is agreed; we progress to detailed design; produce manufacturing data and assemble prototypes or initial units. Functional testing is carried out on representative mock ups or components; with iterative refinement where required. The same engineers who design the system are involved throughout assembly; testing and early deployment; maintaining a direct link between design decisions and field performance.

Integration with NDT techniques

AMS is not an instrument supplier. We work alongside the NDT equipment and techniques specified by our clients; including eddy current; eddy current array; ultrasonic; phased array; visual inspection and other sensor types where appropriate.

Our role is to ensure that these instruments can be positioned repeatably and safely in locations that would otherwise be inaccessible; and that the mechanical design supports stable; consistent data acquisition. Where necessary we collaborate with client NDT specialists to adapt probe holders; cable routing; reference surfaces and motion patterns so that the mechanical and inspection requirements are aligned.

Project types

Our experience includes inspection systems for safety critical and industrial environments where;

• Access is restricted; for example inside small diameter pipework or complex interfaces
• Outage or access windows are tightly controlled
• Reliability; repeatability and defined inspection coverage are essential
• Existing commercial tools are unsuitable or cannot be adapted without fundamental redesign

Typical deliverables range from one off inspection tools for a specific intervention; through modular platforms that can be reconfigured for multiple tasks; to feasibility level prototypes that de risk future inspection concepts.

Why AMS

AMS is a small; focused company. Clients deal directly with the engineers who design and build their equipment; not through multiple layers of account management. This allows rapid decision making; clear technical communication and efficient iteration when requirements evolve.

We are comfortable working in regulated; high consequence environments where documentation; traceability and controlled change are expected. Our work routinely involves fitting within established site processes; quality systems and safety requirements.

For clients; AMS provides targeted engineering effort on the robotic and mechanical side of inspection problems that cannot be solved with standard equipment. For investors and partners; our robotic platforms; carriers and tooling represent a set of reusable building blocks that can be adapted across multiple inspection applications.

To discuss a project; collaboration or investment opportunity; please use the Contact page to get in touch.