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Ultrasonic testing of large metal plates
SNew equipment technical training and certification includes one week of intensive study which covers the technology theory, limitations, capabilities and applications with more than 50 documented case studies. Monsanto and PAC experts will train individuals in field testing and data analysis employing the test procedures, software and instrumentation. Certification will be given to a company rather than an individual. An executive technical training programme is available for management-level personnel who want to become more knowledgeable of the technology and its benefits, without detailed operator training. The two-day programme is intended for managers in certified companies which perform or purchase extensive field testing. The course covers all areas of AE testing using software training manuals and instruments with test procedures for railway tank cars and glass fibre vessels. Case studies and a procedure handbook containing numerous case histories illustrate proper application of the technology as well as providing examples of AE data and evaluation criteria. Availability is restricted to those companies which are trained and certified. The new software can analyse data on an operator’s PC/AT computer taken with the Spartan system of MS-DOS based portable instruments.
Industrial plant like this can be tested with the Monpac acoustic emission package from Physical Acoustics Corporation
immersed, a multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector and a computer-controlled scanning and data management system. When the plate is loaded, the operator keys in the location coordinates of the plate(s) and the computer conducts a 100% examination of the plate(s) . Test data is recorded automatically and a hard-copy report is printed for each plate. The tester meets or exceeds the testing requirements
of all relevant material specifications. At the heart of the equipment is a multi-channel KB6000 ultrasonic unit interfaced with a computer running purpose-written software. This combination integrates a high level of ultrasonic technology with automatic scanning and advanced data management. High resolution graphics show the test data in real-time, C-scan displays and a
Physical Acoustics Corporation, PO Box 3135, Princeton, NJ 08543-3145, USA
Ultrasonic testing of large metal plates Plates up to 11 m x 4 m can be ultrasonically tested with the new equipment developed by Krautkramer Branson. The quality of large stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and other metal plates can be inspected and recorded. The tester comprises a large water tank, in which the plates are
166
Ultrasonic testing tank from Wells Krautkramer which can test plates up to 11 m x 4 m
NDT&E
International
June 1991
rNew number of different report formats.
equipment post-test
An ultrasonic transducer array is fitted to a scanning bridge which traverses the plate to be tested. Testing time is kept to a minimum by using an array of ‘paint brush’ probes. Any suspect areas can then be re-examined with a pair of focused probes to evaluate and size any flaws that are present. The scanning bridge runs on an independent rigid frame fitted with steel rails and rack-andpinion drive to ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the probes. The scanning sequence is computer-controlled and includes a scan of a calibration block at the start and finish of every test. A feature of the immersion tank is that plates can be loaded and unloaded by vacuum pads, reducing the time and labour required for plate handling. The tank is fitted with low pressure pneumatic bags which are deflated to lower the water level to allow plates to be loaded into a ‘dry’ tank. Inflating the bags raises the water to the optimum level for any thickness of plate. This technique is not only quick, but produces minimal turbulence and no aeration of the water. The first of these plate testers is in operation with British Steel Stainless at Shepcote Lane, Sheffield, UK. Wells Krautkramer, Castle Vale industrial Estate, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 876 8AY, UK
Pipe scanner maps corrosion for NDT site surveys Corrosion and flaws inside pipework installations can be mapped with the PipeScan system from Du Pont NDT Systems. Designed for quick set-up and ease of operation in the field, PipeScan is a portable
NDT& E International
June 1991
PipeScan, the lightweight ultrasonic imaging system for pipes from Du Pont NDT Systems
system similar to the recently introduced PortaScan for precision 100% NDT of large areas of metals and composites. With PipeScan, however, the scanner is, in effect, wrapped around the outer surface of pipework under test. The scanning unit is attached by flexible toothed belts to the curved surface, and is manually indexed around the circumference while the spring-loaded ultrasonic probe is scanned backwards and forwards over the pipe on its carrier. Digital ultrasonic data and positional information are fed to a data acquisition interface in the computer, and detailed images of the inner surface of the pipe or component are built up as scanningtakes place. Each scan has a maximum area of 330 x 457 mm for X and Y, in increments of 0.025 mm. Pipes down to 100 mm in diameter can be tested. There are five elements to the system: a pipe scanner unit with toothed belt straps; an ultrasonic
test instrument which may be a Pulsar 5500 flaw detector or a Novascope 4000 thickness gauge, complete with ultrasonic transducer; a portable IBMcompatible 386 type computer with 40 MB hard disc, which may be a standard unit or a laptop unit; a data acquisition computer interface card; and user-friendly menu-driven software developed for the system. Test results are available as a B-scan cross-sectional slice through the pipe, a C-scan plan view of the ‘unwrapped’ section of pipe showing material thickness in colour or grey scale, or a three-dimensional scan portraying the inner surface of the pipe section in topographical perspective. The system will provide corrosion information to judge the viability of pipework in process plant and equipment and fluid distribution networks for efficient plant maintenance and safety. Du Pont NOT Systems, Hawkesden Road, St Neots, Huntingdon, Cambs PE19 I OS, UK
167
Industrial plant like this can be tested with the Monpac acoustic emission package from Physical Acoustics Corporation
immersed, a multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector and a computer-controlled scanning and data management system. When the plate is loaded, the operator keys in the location coordinates of the plate(s) and the computer conducts a 100% examination of the plate(s) . Test data is recorded automatically and a hard-copy report is printed for each plate. The tester meets or exceeds the testing requirements
of all relevant material specifications. At the heart of the equipment is a multi-channel KB6000 ultrasonic unit interfaced with a computer running purpose-written software. This combination integrates a high level of ultrasonic technology with automatic scanning and advanced data management. High resolution graphics show the test data in real-time, C-scan displays and a
Physical Acoustics Corporation, PO Box 3135, Princeton, NJ 08543-3145, USA
Ultrasonic testing of large metal plates Plates up to 11 m x 4 m can be ultrasonically tested with the new equipment developed by Krautkramer Branson. The quality of large stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and other metal plates can be inspected and recorded. The tester comprises a large water tank, in which the plates are
166
Ultrasonic testing tank from Wells Krautkramer which can test plates up to 11 m x 4 m
NDT&E
International
June 1991
rNew number of different report formats.
equipment post-test
An ultrasonic transducer array is fitted to a scanning bridge which traverses the plate to be tested. Testing time is kept to a minimum by using an array of ‘paint brush’ probes. Any suspect areas can then be re-examined with a pair of focused probes to evaluate and size any flaws that are present. The scanning bridge runs on an independent rigid frame fitted with steel rails and rack-andpinion drive to ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the probes. The scanning sequence is computer-controlled and includes a scan of a calibration block at the start and finish of every test. A feature of the immersion tank is that plates can be loaded and unloaded by vacuum pads, reducing the time and labour required for plate handling. The tank is fitted with low pressure pneumatic bags which are deflated to lower the water level to allow plates to be loaded into a ‘dry’ tank. Inflating the bags raises the water to the optimum level for any thickness of plate. This technique is not only quick, but produces minimal turbulence and no aeration of the water. The first of these plate testers is in operation with British Steel Stainless at Shepcote Lane, Sheffield, UK. Wells Krautkramer, Castle Vale industrial Estate, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 876 8AY, UK
Pipe scanner maps corrosion for NDT site surveys Corrosion and flaws inside pipework installations can be mapped with the PipeScan system from Du Pont NDT Systems. Designed for quick set-up and ease of operation in the field, PipeScan is a portable
NDT& E International
June 1991
PipeScan, the lightweight ultrasonic imaging system for pipes from Du Pont NDT Systems
system similar to the recently introduced PortaScan for precision 100% NDT of large areas of metals and composites. With PipeScan, however, the scanner is, in effect, wrapped around the outer surface of pipework under test. The scanning unit is attached by flexible toothed belts to the curved surface, and is manually indexed around the circumference while the spring-loaded ultrasonic probe is scanned backwards and forwards over the pipe on its carrier. Digital ultrasonic data and positional information are fed to a data acquisition interface in the computer, and detailed images of the inner surface of the pipe or component are built up as scanningtakes place. Each scan has a maximum area of 330 x 457 mm for X and Y, in increments of 0.025 mm. Pipes down to 100 mm in diameter can be tested. There are five elements to the system: a pipe scanner unit with toothed belt straps; an ultrasonic
test instrument which may be a Pulsar 5500 flaw detector or a Novascope 4000 thickness gauge, complete with ultrasonic transducer; a portable IBMcompatible 386 type computer with 40 MB hard disc, which may be a standard unit or a laptop unit; a data acquisition computer interface card; and user-friendly menu-driven software developed for the system. Test results are available as a B-scan cross-sectional slice through the pipe, a C-scan plan view of the ‘unwrapped’ section of pipe showing material thickness in colour or grey scale, or a three-dimensional scan portraying the inner surface of the pipe section in topographical perspective. The system will provide corrosion information to judge the viability of pipework in process plant and equipment and fluid distribution networks for efficient plant maintenance and safety. Du Pont NOT Systems, Hawkesden Road, St Neots, Huntingdon, Cambs PE19 I OS, UK
167