EchoBolt Featured on The Uptime Spotlight: Launching BoltWave and the Future of Bolt Monitoring
- petefandrews
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
EchoBolt’s Managing Director Peter Andrews recently joined Allen and Joel on The Uptime Spotlight podcast to discuss a major industry shift in how bolted joints are maintained throughout the wind turbine lifecycle.
The conversation centered around the launch of BoltWave, EchoBolt’s new ultrasonic inspection device designed to give operators fast, reliable insight into bolt tension and structural integrity—without the need for traditional torque-based retightening campaigns.
From Routine Retightening to Condition-Based Monitoring
Historically, manufacturers and service teams have relied on scheduled retightening intervals for bolted connections. This approach is both labor-intensive and disruptive, especially for offshore wind environments where access and weather windows create logistical challenges.
BoltWave supports a strategic shift toward condition-based monitoring, where decisions are driven by real inspection data rather than fixed schedules. As Pete explains during the episode, “The technology enables operators to understand what is actually happening with the condition of a the bolted joint, so they can intervene only when the structure needs attention—not just because it's time for the annaul service.”
Ultrasonic Insight
BoltWave delivers direct tension measurement using guided ultrasonics, giving maintenance teams the confidence to:
✔ Validate bolt integrity,
✔ Prioritize high-risk joints, and
✔ Extend maintenance cycles where conditions allow.
With increasingly remote and larger wind installations coming online, these benefits translate into meaningful reductions in O&M cost and downtime.
Supporting Reliability Across the Turbine Lifecycle
The discussion also touched on how bolt integrity management evolves over time. With different risks at assembly, installation through operational life and into life extension—making structural insight critical for long-term asset reliability.
Ultrasonic monitoring unlocks a data-driven approach to lifecycle management, enhancing reliability from commissioning through end of service.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to Pete’s full conversation with Allen and Joel on The Uptime Spotlight using the link below, where they cover product development, industry adoption trends, and what’s next for EchoBolt’s technology roadmap.
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