- Email: [email protected]
Nondestructive test methods for structural composites
- N e w equipment Precision ultrasonic scanner A fully integrated nondestructive testing system has been announced by Krautkramer Branson which breaks new ground in precision industrial ultrasonic scanning. It comprises a precision scanning unit, HIS 2 high frequency ultrasonic flaw detector, 386-type computer, and integrated software for system control, data storage and colour graphics. The function of the system is to provide high resolution inspection of components enabling detection of critical parameters or defects previously undetectable using conventional ultrasonic techniques. To match the high frequency ultrasonic performance of the HIS 2 unit, it was necessary to design and build a mechanical system capable of fast and precise scanning of components. Due to indexing increments of 0.005 mm (0.0002"), rigidity of the system is vital. The scanning unit was therefore designed along coordinate measuring machine principles, isolating X and Y movements from each other. It consists of an integral head and gantry cast in ultra-high density material which simulates granite in strength, rigidity, stability, thermal properties, appearance and mass. A work-table is attached to the bottom of a clear immersion tank which is mounted on a frame on a precision slideway. It can thus be indexed in the X direction beneath the fixed gantry. Mounted on a horizontal slideway on the gantry, in the Y direction of travel, is the ultrasonic transducer connected by short cable to a remote pulser/preamplifier. Since the water gap is critical in high frequency ultrasonic immersion testing, vertical positioning of the transducer is carried out by micrometer adjustment.
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Both X and Y movements are powered using state-of-the-art linear motors and precision encoder scales, with computer control and closed loop circuitry to provide positive and accurate movements. Bearings are close-tolerance rolling elements running on precision ground guideways.
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Scanning of the probe across the gantry is variable up to 150 mm s 1 in 16 discrete steps, the maximum scan area being 300 x 3 0 0 m m (12 x 12"). Included with the system is an IBM compatible 386 type computer with hard disc storage, and specially written integrated software. This controls the scanner and flaw detector, and stores and carries out manipulation of ultrasonic data. It incorporates real-time C-scan colour graphics offering colour or grey scale displays with a cotour palette of 250 colours or shades. The scanner measures 996 x 821 x 712 mm, and weighs 300 kg excluding the computer and flaw detector.
Wells Krautkramer, Castle Vale Industrial Estate, Maybrook Road, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 8AY, UK
High precision ultrasonic Jmmersion scanning system from Wells Krautkramer They are offered in a variety of acoustic series: W for high resolution, ;. and geometrical acoustics for high detectability, M for very high frequencies, and K for very high sensitivity. This covers a wide frequency range, from 50 kHz to more than 100 MHz. For test material and objectives suitability, a variety of transducer styles are available, such as immersion, wet and dry contacts, O- and oblique incidence refraction of longitudinal, shear and surface waves, delay lines, air/gas propagation, and many more.
Ultran Laboratories, Inc., 139R N. Gill Street, State College, PA, USA
Nondestructive characterization transducers A range of advanced transducers for image generation, density, velocity, and elastic property measurements, defect, thickness, b o n d / d i s b o n d evaluation, and other applications has been introduced by Ultran. The NDC range is suitable for the analysis of electronic, structural, and biomedical materials, such as dense, porous, or attenuative ceramics, metals, powder metals, polymers, lumber products and their composites. These materials can be characterized in green, partially or fully sintered conditions.
Industrial placement Lavender International are linking up with Brunel University to provide an industrial placement for an MSc student in NDT. This university-industrial partnership should be of mutual benefit in the current climate of change. Further collaboration, possibly in the area of teaching and learning methods, is being actively explored.
Steve Lavender, Lavender International ND T Ltd, Unit 7, Penistone Station, Sheffield, $30 6HJ, UK or Dr B. Orton, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
NDT International February 1991
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Both X and Y movements are powered using state-of-the-art linear motors and precision encoder scales, with computer control and closed loop circuitry to provide positive and accurate movements. Bearings are close-tolerance rolling elements running on precision ground guideways.
i
ii:!!iii~iiiiiii:.,.,;i~
Scanning of the probe across the gantry is variable up to 150 mm s 1 in 16 discrete steps, the maximum scan area being 300 x 3 0 0 m m (12 x 12"). Included with the system is an IBM compatible 386 type computer with hard disc storage, and specially written integrated software. This controls the scanner and flaw detector, and stores and carries out manipulation of ultrasonic data. It incorporates real-time C-scan colour graphics offering colour or grey scale displays with a cotour palette of 250 colours or shades. The scanner measures 996 x 821 x 712 mm, and weighs 300 kg excluding the computer and flaw detector.
Wells Krautkramer, Castle Vale Industrial Estate, Maybrook Road, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 8AY, UK
High precision ultrasonic Jmmersion scanning system from Wells Krautkramer They are offered in a variety of acoustic series: W for high resolution, ;. and geometrical acoustics for high detectability, M for very high frequencies, and K for very high sensitivity. This covers a wide frequency range, from 50 kHz to more than 100 MHz. For test material and objectives suitability, a variety of transducer styles are available, such as immersion, wet and dry contacts, O- and oblique incidence refraction of longitudinal, shear and surface waves, delay lines, air/gas propagation, and many more.
Ultran Laboratories, Inc., 139R N. Gill Street, State College, PA, USA
Nondestructive characterization transducers A range of advanced transducers for image generation, density, velocity, and elastic property measurements, defect, thickness, b o n d / d i s b o n d evaluation, and other applications has been introduced by Ultran. The NDC range is suitable for the analysis of electronic, structural, and biomedical materials, such as dense, porous, or attenuative ceramics, metals, powder metals, polymers, lumber products and their composites. These materials can be characterized in green, partially or fully sintered conditions.
Industrial placement Lavender International are linking up with Brunel University to provide an industrial placement for an MSc student in NDT. This university-industrial partnership should be of mutual benefit in the current climate of change. Further collaboration, possibly in the area of teaching and learning methods, is being actively explored.
Steve Lavender, Lavender International ND T Ltd, Unit 7, Penistone Station, Sheffield, $30 6HJ, UK or Dr B. Orton, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
NDT International February 1991