As tube and pipe manufacturers face growing demands for higher quality, and greater process consistency, non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies are becoming increasingly central to modern production environments. In an exclusive interview with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Francisco Moretón Díez, Business Development Manager – Asia, ISEND S.A, discusses how ISEND is integrating Eddy Current Technology, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and real-time data analytics to transform quality control in tube and pipe manufacturing. Mr. Moretón shares insights into evolving inspection expectations, AI-driven process optimization, digitalized production environments, and ISEND’s focus on supporting India’s rapidly growing tube and pipe industry with advanced inspection solutions.
Tube & Pipe India: ISEND is known for its advanced NDT solutions for tube and pipe manufacturers. Could you outline your core offerings for this segment and the key challenges they address?
Francisco Moretón Díez: ISEND develops advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions specifically designed for process and quality control in tube and pipe manufacturing, as well as for hot rolling mills for wire rod and bars. Our core offering combines eddy current technology (ECT), computer vision, and artificial intelligence.
Our technology addresses key industry challenges such as early defect detection, reduction of scrap, minimization of production downtime, and improvement of overall product quality. By generating and analyzing large volumes of process data, we help manufacturers move towards more efficient, data-driven production environments.
TPI: Inspection plays a critical role in ensuring pipe integrity. How do your technologies help manufacturers detect defects early and improve product lifecycle and reliability?
FMD: Our technologies enable real-time, high-sensitivity inspection directly on the production line. By detecting surface defects at early stages, we help prevent defective products from progressing downstream. This early detection not only improves final product reliability but also reduces costs associated with rework, claims, and material waste. Additionally, our data analytics capabilities allow manufacturers to identify root causes and optimize processes, contributing to longer product lifecycle and higher consistency.
TPI: Your solutions such as ROTOdiscover, ENdiscover, and WELdiscover target different defect types. How do these systems complement each other in delivering comprehensive inspection across welded and seamless tubes?
FMD: Each system is designed to address specific defect typologies, and together they form a fully integrated inspection ecosystem. ROTOdiscover focuses on longitudinal defects in cold-formed products using rotating probes around the material. ENdiscover detects transversal and punctual defects with high precision using encircling coil. ROTOENdiscover is the combination of ROTOdiscover and ENdiscover. And WELdiscover specializes in identifying defects in the welding area of tubes.
By combining these solutions, manufacturers achieve full-body inspection coverage, ensuring that both welded and seamless tubes are thoroughly evaluated regardless of defect orientation or location.
TPI: With increasing demand for high-quality pipes across industries, how are performance expectations evolving in terms of defect detection sensitivity, speed, and accuracy?
FM: Performance expectations are continuously increasing. Manufacturers now require higher sensitivity to detect smaller and more complex defects, while maintaining high production speeds.
Accuracy and reliability, but especially repeatability, are critical, especially in sectors such as aeronautics, automotive, medicine and infrastructure. At the same time, there is growing demand for systems that provide actionable insights rather than just raw data.
This evolution is driving the integration of AI and advanced signal processing to enhance detection capabilities without compromising productivity.
India represents a key growth market due to its expanding industrial base and increasing demand for high-quality tube and pipe products. Our focus is on collaborating with leading manufacturers who prioritize quality and innovation.
TPI: ISEND integrates Eddy Current technology with digital systems. How is the combination of advanced electronics, automation, and data analysis transforming quality control in tube and pipe manufacturing?
FMD: The integration of advanced electronics, automation, and data analytics is transforming quality control from a reactive to a proactive process. However, the real breakthrough comes from the application of AI algorithms in data analysis. To achieve this, it is essential to have sensors capable of generating meaningful process data.
Our systems not only detect defects but also generate valuable process data that can be analyzed in real time and correlated with process parameters. This enables predictive decision-making, process optimization, and continuous improvement.
By leveraging digital platforms, manufacturers gain full visibility of their production, allowing them to reduce variability, improve efficiency, and move towards smart factory environments aligned with Industry 4.0 and beyond.
TPI: Manufacturers today are moving towards smarter and more connected plants. How is ISEND supporting the transition towards digitalization and real-time process monitoring in production lines?
FMD: ISEND actively supports this transition by providing fully digitalized inspection systems that integrate seamlessly into production lines. Our solutions enable real-time monitoring, centralized data management, and advanced analytics. We also work closely with customers to ensure proper implementation, training, and knowledge transfer, creating a strong synergy between human expertise and automated systems.
This approach ensures that manufacturers can fully leverage digitalization while maintaining operational efficiency and adaptability.
TPI: Tube and pipe production involves diverse materials and applications. How adaptable are your inspection solutions across ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials, as well as varying pipe dimensions?
FMD: Our solutions are highly adaptable and designed for the inspection of any conductive material, including both ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic alloys. They accommodate a wide range of pipe dimensions, production speeds, and manufacturing conditions, allowing us to tailor each system to the customer’s specific requirements and ensure optimal performance in any application.
Also Read: Tube & Pipe India Emagazine Apr-Jun Issue 2026
TPI: With the booming tube and pipe sector of India, are there any projects in the pipeline? What are your focus points in India?
FMD: India represents a key growth market due to its expanding industrial base and increasing demand for high-quality tube and pipe products. Our focus is on collaborating with leading manufacturers who prioritize quality and innovation. We aim to support their transition towards advanced inspection technologies, helping them improve competitiveness and meet international standards.
We are actively exploring opportunities to deploy our solutions in the region and establish long-term partnerships.
TPI: Looking ahead, what are the key innovation areas for ISEND in the tube and pipe sector—particularly in terms of AI integration, process optimization, and next-generation inspection technologies?
FMD: Our innovation strategy is centered on further integrating artificial intelligence into inspection systems to enhance defect classification, predictive capabilities, and process optimization.
We are not simply a manufacturer of NDT systems, but a technology partner with a strong R&D focus, dedicated to exploring and developing tailored solutions to address the most demanding challenges of our customers and the market.
Our goal is to continue driving digital transformation in the industry by delivering smarter, more efficient, and highly integrated quality control solutions.
Accuracy and reliability, but especially repeatability, are critical, especially in sectors such as aeronautics, automotive, medicine and infrastructure. At the same time, there is growing demand for systems that provide actionable insights rather than just raw data.
