September is usually when the rest of the year starts to come into focus. Budgets are starting to take shape, fall schedules are filling up, and plans for the new year are not too far behind.
That makes now a good time to look at your ultrasound program and think about what you can take care of while there is still plenty of time to do it. Maybe you have an instrument that needs to be calibrated, older equipment you’ve been meaning to replace or trade-in, or inspection routes that could use another look.
A little attention now can make the next few months easier and leave you in a better position when it is time to turn the calendar.
Have an Older Instrument? Put It to Work One More Time
Let’s start with the equipment you already have.
If you have an older Ultraprobe that is not getting much use, or you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a newer instrument, now is the perfect time to make the switch.
For a limited time, you can trade in select older instruments and put their value toward new UE equipment. The best part? Your trade-in doesn’t have to be a UE Systems instrument.
If you’re currently using an eligible competitor tool, you can trade that in, too.
Whether it’s an older Ultraprobe or a tool from another manufacturer, you have until December 31, 2026, to trade it in and get credit toward new UE equipment.
Your trade-in can be put toward a new:
- Ultraprobe 15,000
- Ultraprobe 10,000
- Ultraprobe 9000
- Ultraprobe 401 Grease Caddy
If an upgrade has already been on your mind, take a look at what you have before planning for a new purchase. That instrument sitting on the shelf, or even the competitor tool you’re using today, could help you make the move.
SEE WHAT YOUR EQUIPMENT IS WORTH
Don’t Forget About Calibration
While you’re taking stock of your equipment, this is also a good time to check when your Ultraprobe was last calibrated.
We recommend having your Ultraprobe calibrated annually to make sure it continues performing as expected and, more importantly, that you can trust the data you’re collecting. The last thing you want is to make a maintenance decision based on inaccurate or unreliable information, especially when that information is helping you determine whether an asset needs attention.
Calibration also matters when you’re trending equipment over time. When you see a change in your readings, you want confidence that the change is coming from the asset itself, not the instrument you’re using to inspect it.
If your calibration date is coming up, getting it scheduled now gives you one less thing to worry about as your schedule gets busier. While you’re at it, take a quick look at your batteries, headphones, sensors, chargers, and the other accessories you regularly use in the field. Finding a problem now is a lot more convenient than discovering it when you’re getting ready to start an inspection.
KEEP YOUR ULTRAPROBE PERFORMING AS EXPECTED
Give Your Inspection Routes Another Look
A lot can change in your facility between January and September. New equipment gets installed, production demands shift, problem assets get more attention, and, sometimes, something that should have made its way onto an inspection route simply gets missed.
That doesn’t mean you need to tear everything apart and start over. Give your routes another look and make sure they still reflect what’s happening in your facility today.
Pay particular attention to your critical assets, equipment that has produced repeat findings, and anything that has been added or changed over the past several months. If something no longer makes sense, you still have plenty of time to make an adjustment.
Sometimes a quick review is all it takes to catch something that has quietly fallen through the cracks.
What About the Findings Still on Your List?
There always seem to be a few.
Maybe you wanted to go back and inspect a bearing, verify a repair, or take another look at a condition that wasn’t urgent at the time. Those findings can be easy to push down the list when more immediate work comes along.
Not everything needs to be resolved immediately, of course. Some assets may simply need continued monitoring, while others can wait for a planned outage or need another inspection before you decide what to do next. The important thing is knowing where those findings stand and making sure the ones that matter don’t get lost in the shuffle.
For repairs that have already been completed, remember to go back and verify the work. Comparing the asset under similar operating conditions can help you confirm that the repair actually addressed what you detected in the first place.
Start Thinking About What Comes Next
This is a great time of year to start thinking about where your program is headed.
As you review your equipment, routes, and findings, you may spot opportunities you want to explore. Maybe there’s another ultrasound application you’d like to add, your team could benefit from additional training, or you want more visibility into critical assets between inspection rounds. You may also realize that some of the equipment you’ve relied on for years is ready for an upgrade.
You don’t need all the answers right now, but starting those conversations early gives you more time to review your options and decide what makes sense for your facility.
BUILD YOUR ULTRASOUND SKILLS
Make the Most of the Time You Have
There are still four months left in the year, and that’s the whole point.
There’s still time to take care of the things that are easy to put off when schedules get busy. Trade in an instrument you’re no longer using, get calibration on the calendar, update an inspection route, revisit an open finding, or simply start thinking about what you want your program to look like down the road.
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. A few smart moves this fall can make the months ahead a little easier and give you a head start when the new year eventually arrives.