'Hexagon Composites is a leader in the composite pressure cylinder market and a great strategic fit for Digital Wave's array of products and patents,' adds Mike Gorman, CEO of Digital Wave Corporation. 'It provides a strong platform for the Company's employees, who have developed testing technology for all types of pressure vessels, to use their talents to expand both the range of applications and global reach for Digital Wave's intellectual property. We are convinced that both organizations complement each other in terms of products and services and this will lead to a stronger position in the cylinder market.' UE is an efficient alternative to the traditional hydro-testing of all-metal cylinders.

MAE testing collects data from cylinders under pressure and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the composite structure of each cylinder. Operators of gas transportation modules in North America are required to requalify their cylinders every five years. It greatly improves both routine re-qualifications and post-accident inspections. MAE is a relatively new and unique process that uses sound waves to measure structural integrity in composite structures.

'We believe that this technology has the potential of fulfilling the holy grail of real-time health monitoring of composite cylinders.'ĭigital Wave, located in Denver, Colorado, is a leading provider of modal acoustic emission (MAE) requalification and ultrasonic examination (UE) testing of pressure vessels. We are further enhancing our leadership position by obtaining the most advanced capabilities and technology currently available,' said Jack Schimenti, Executive Vice President of Hexagon Composites Group. With this acquisition we take control of the unique testing process, which effectively reduces the operators' down time, while ensuring an approved, safe and reliable requalification method.

'Hexagon has worked successfully with Digital Wave for three years to apply Modal Acoustic Emissions (MAE) technology to test Type 4 cylinders. With this acquisition, Hexagon Composites will fully integrate capabilities for testing and requalification of high-pressure cylinders. Hexagon Composites ASA (OSE: HEX) acquires the leading testing technology company, Digital Wave Corporation.

Hexagon corporation