Nondestructive Testing Tools and Systems Buyers' Guide

Fully automated system for high-volume production tube measurement. Links directly to bending machines for feedback and adjustment of bend parameters. Intended for shop floor use by production personnel with minimal training. Uses eight cameras to capture complete tube shape. Tube diameters .04-5 in. (1-125 mm).

Fully automated system for high-volume production tube measurement. Links directly to bending machines for feedback and adjustment of bend parameters. Intended for shop floor use by production personnel with minimal training. Uses 16 cameras to capture complete tube shape. Tube diameters .1-8 in. (3-200 mm).

A 7-axis measurement arm with high-end scanner uses BendingStudio software to analyze the complete shape of tubes, including through the bend area. Able to measure bend-in-bend tube shapes. AccuLink interfaces provide direct feedback to bending machines.

An automated vision system that removes the human error from visual inspection. It reduces manual inspection time, checking thousands of features per hour, and offers complete traceability with robust reporting. The LYNX AR hardware version offers an additional function of augmented reality. It enables assembly assistance, projecting information or image directly onto the part without a CAD model.

A noncontact laser profile measurement tool for quality inspection, featuring measurement speed, ease of use, portability, and ruggedness. Measures features such as gap and flush, radius, edge break, burr, countersink, scratch, weld, seal, and angles.

Hydrostatic tools for tube and pipe NDT. Suitable for hydrostatic pressure testing, air underwater testing, and cleaning applications. Pressures from 5,000-40,000 PSI (345-2,758 bar). A variety of test media can be used to push liquids or gases through the length of tube or pipe hydraulically to find flaws.

Nondestructive pressure and leak testing of tube and hose assemblies, valves, and air-conditioning coils. When combined with ExpanTek tools, it can perform tube expansion for heat exchangers or tube-to-tube sheet swaging. System pressures 10,000-30,000 PSI (689-2,068 bar).

Enclosed cavity for burst and destructive testing up to 30,000 PSI (2,068 bar). Chambers are manufactured to application requirements and can be controlled manually or equipped with electronic controls for data acquisition.

Fast coupling and positive sealing for production pressure-testing of bottles, cylinders, tanks, and other components with an internally threaded port. The proprietary collet design does not mark or deform the threaded surface, and pressure compensation in the tool increases the sealing force, eliminating the need for additional safety devices. Can be used on services including water, oil, and gas. Others liquids on request.

Snap-on coupling and positive sealing of tubes, tube assemblies, and systems. The hydraulic sealing mechanisms, along with the safety spring pregrip, assure a constant, positive grip during any work or operation cycle. Testing and expansion up to 40,000 PSI (2,758 bar) to comply with military, nuclear, automotive, and aerospace specifications such as API, ASTM, ASME, ISO, DIN, and BS. Compact design for restricted work areas. Standard and metric tube, pipe, and fitting sizes from .24-.79 in. OD (6.0-20.0 mm OD). Can be used on services including water, oil, and gas. Others liquids on request.

This basic horizontal magnetic particle inspection machine has a swivel coil and external prods, providing economical flaw detection.

Offers enhanced features with head and coil shot, pneumatic tailstock, and increased capacity. Length options from 62-100 in.

Specialized vertical-format units developed for production testing of blocks and other bulky workpieces. Rotary tables and powered coil traverse for ease of inspection.

AC/DC current capabilities for testing aircraft components, performance crankshafts, and critical parts that require subsurface flaw detection. Suited to applications in which DC inspection is mandated.

Similar to X-ray but doesn't use film. An image plate (IP) is exposed with X-ray or gamma radiation, which causes the phosphor layer in the plate to store the image. During the reading process, a focused laser beam triggers the release of the stored image data in the form of visible light. The emitted light is detected, captured, and converted into electrical signals which are digitized and displayed as a digital image on the PC monitor. The internal eraser purges the residual data from the IP, which is then ready for the next exposure.

For all applications with one or two channels; comes in five variants to cover common testing requirements. Standard sensor systems for all applications and sizes (round-profile and segment coils, scanning probes, rotating systems). Numerous setting options for precise signal analysis. Provides complete test results and statistics documentation. Can be integrated into a network.

Highly sensitive inspection of black and bright metal bars and seamless tubes. Finds longitudinal defects of a depth greater than .1 mm at speeds up to 10 ft./sec. A detailed report of the test results permits further processing of defective, yet repairable, bars, thus increasing the yield. Three flux leakage sensor sizes are available. Alternatively, the unit can be operated in combination with flux leakage sensor systems of other vendors.

The S model is equipped with a silicon drift detector (SDD) to analyze light elements like magnesium, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus in alloys. Intended for metal manufacturing, basic PMI, and metals sorting, the unit measures the constituents of ferrous metals, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, nickel, and gold. The analyzer offers clear on-screen grade ID and comparison for detecting and measuring light elements in alloys. It uses SDD technology to distinguish similar alloy grades like 303 stainless steel from 304, and aluminum 6061 or 6063 from 1100. For greater uptime and reliability, the analyzer is IP54-rated to resist dust and moisture and built to pass a 4-ft. drop test (MIL-STD-810G).

For tube and pipe mills. Reads the temperature field of the weld zone immediately after the weld occurs to detect irregularities in penetration and offset, the presence of holes, and other issues. Records 400 times/sec.; accurate on line speeds up to 590 ft./min. (180 m/min.).

A gray-value camera, combined with a line laser, distinguishes defects from the irregular surface textures. The process, surcon, can detect cracks, impressions, and casting marks; the system supplies 3D information on the height or depth of the defect. This technique, when applied to both the top and bottom surfaces, can measure the complete thickness profile of the slabs. When combined with edge contour measurements, the system can measure the volume and therefore determine the weight.

C-frame and O-frame systems use one to six cameras and a laser system to determine the eccentricity and shape of the workpiece. The system determines wall thickness distribution around the circumference, thickened ends, average wall thickness, and local wall thickness.
The system can feed data back to the mill to make roll adjustments automatically to reduce dimensional variation.

VOLTA is a high-power, two-channel, portable ultrasonic instrument custom-designed for electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) applications. It features a patented pulser technology to satisfy energy-demanding EMAT applications in a compact and rugged package. Standard software built on the Innerspec Technologies Operating Platform (ITOP) includes an intuitive menu to set up any EMAT application using standard sensors from the company's catalog for normal beam, angled beam, and guided waves. Advanced application software is available with easy-to-use wizards to facilitate setup and analysis for MRUT (medium-range UT/0-3 m), LRUT (long-range UT/1-100 m), rail heads, thin welds, and other exclusive solutions.

The Innerspec POWERBOX H is a hand-held, battery-operated instrument capable of generating up to 1,200 V or 8 kW of peak power at speeds of up to 300 Hz. For pulse-echo operation, a built-in transmitter/receiver switch permits connecting directly to the instrument with no additional hardware. A built-in thermocouple port permits taking temperature readings to correct time-of-flight measurements, and a 1-axis encoder input can be used for integration with an automated or manual scanner. A setting of 600 Vpp (approx. 3 kW) is also available to maximize battery life if the application does not require full power.

BRIO is an advanced, ultraportable eddy current array instrument designed for in-service inspections in aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, and manufacturing industries. Custom software tools and a comprehensive catalog of pencil, array, and rotating probes are available for conventional and advanced eddy current applications. BRIO is small enough to be worn on a belt, and powerful enough for bench work. The tablet user interface connected wirelessly to the instrument permits the operator to be highly mobile when working at heights, climbing structures, or moving from part to part during benchtop inspection. Intuitive BRIO software permits real-time control using a tablet, wireless device, or notebook computer running Windows.

ROLLMATE inspects rolls of any alloy, forged and cast, during or after the grinding process. With 20 sensors, including 18 independent ultrasonic channels, it can detect surface and internal defects in any orientation on any type of roll.

For tube and pipe manufacturers, online, making carbon steel products including galvanized and aluminized. Flux leakage provides full-body inspection of the tube or pipe, can be calibrated to 10% of the OD and ID notches and holes to .0315 in. (0.8 mm), can inspect ID flash-in material up to .625 in. wall thickness.

Intended for compliance with codes such as ISO, API, and CSA. Can be supplied with two, four, six, or more transducers to test various material thickness ranges and to test the heat-affected zone and monitor material gauge.

For tube and pipe mills, online. Scans the weld zone and monitors the quality of the scarf-removal process. Provides real-time wall thickness data at weld area; triggers audible and visual alarms when process exceeds high or low limit. Also detects broken, worn, or chipped flash cutting tools and mismatched weld edges. Intended for scrap reduction. Optional features include weight calculation and cut-to-weight output.

For tube and pipe manufacturers, offline. Intended to verify compliance with international standards such as API-5L, API-5CT, and ISO. Available in two setups: moving test carriage/stationary pipe or moving pipe/stationary test carriage. Can be designed with a single test head or several test heads for improved productivity. Stores all test parameters.

For tube and pipe mills, this system inspects thin-wall tubing at high mill speeds. Compact enough to fit on most mill beds; can be floor mounted. Rotary stands are available to handle extremely large weld line skews. The small unit tests .500-3.500 in. (12-90 mm) OD; the large unit tests up to 6.625 in. (170 mm) OD.

For tube and pipe manufacturers, testing online or offline. Eddy current tester can be configured with encircling or sector test coils or rotating test probes. Configure up to eight test channels in frequencies from 1 kHz to 5 MHz. Works on magnetic and nonmagnetic materials.

For tube and pipe mills. Has 32 channels for flaw detection, dimensional measurement, wall thickness, and ovality. Configure with Echomac rotary or spinning tube systems. Detect eccentricity with fixed probe system. Model 6-A qualified for P3TF31 Class A and B and P29TF82 Class A and B.

For welded tube. Detects weld zone defects, lamination, OD/ID defects, longitudinal notches, drilled through-holes, and drilled half-wall holes. Requires minimal adjustments during size changes.

For tube and pipe manufacturers, online or offline. Detects longitudinal and transverse defects on OD, ID, and in the wall, including seams, laps, and weld seam flaws. Intended to meet API 5CT, API 5L, ASTM E570, and ISO requirements.

Performs on-the-spot identification of many difficult alloy grades, both light and base metals, in seconds. Uses LIBS laser-based technology, which reduces the regulatory requirements. Certified to MIL STD 810G.

A hand-held XRF analyzer equipped with an Si-PIN or SDD detector that provides low detection limits to PPM range for heavy metals and light elements. It returns analysis results for grade identification or PMI in seconds. A lens gasket prevents backscatter radiation and enables built-in calibration and instrument protection. Connectivity by wireless LAN, USB, and Bluetooth. Operator can define hot keys to speed repeated tasks. Touchscreen has just two menu levels to keep operation simple.

Processes: Four-function evaluation system provides longitudinal and transverse inspections, magnetic wall thickness monitoring, and grade difference comparison.
Diameter range: 2.375-8 in.
End type: Plain.

Processes: Four-function evaluation system provides longitudinal and transverse inspections, magnetic wall thickness monitoring, and grade difference comparison.
Diameter range: 4.5-14 in.
End type: Plain.

Hand-held instrument with surface array capabilities. Ergonomic design, 10-hour battery life, and intuitive touchscreen enable fast eddy current inspections with minimal fatigue.

Flexible eddy current array probes for Zetec MIZ-21C and MIZ-200 instruments. Featuring unique multiple coil sets, Surf-X array probes are flexible and conform to a variety of materials and surface geometries.

A family of fully integrated, portable ultrasound instruments for conventional UT, phased array, and time of flight diffraction applications.

An agile hand-held ultrasonic scanner for mapping flat and curved surfaces and measuring wall thickness reductions. Ideal for pipes with a diameter as small as 6 in.