Isonic PA AUT - Phased Array Automated Ultrasonic Testing System

ADVANCED NDT LIMITED,
Orchard House, Orchard Close, Severn Stoke, Worcester, UK    WR8 9JJ
Telephone: 44 (0) 1905 371460        *** Fax:   44 (0) 1905 371477
E-Mail: sales@advanced-ndt.co.uk *** Website:   www.advanced-ndt.co.uk

Example of Application SW Package – ASME 2235-9 Code Case Compatible Automatic Ultrasonic Inspection of Girth Welds

Theoretical Setup Wizard guides through:

Phased Array Probe Definition screen for keying in parameters of phased array probes and wedges, which are necessary for beam steering and focusing

Weld Definition screen for selection of appropriate weld bevel from data base and keying in related geometry and dimensions data

Zones Definition screen for "slicing" of weld volume, cap, and root into zones to be insonified in each qualified position of phased array probe:

Ray Tracing screen for determining of zone-by-zone insonification scheme (pulse echo or tandem; incidence angles; emitting and receiving aperture; focal distance) and appropriate positions for phased array probes from both sides of the weld

Theoretical Setup file is created upon completion of wizard as described and used for further setting of phased array channels

Ultrasonic Setup Wizard runs in the remote computer linked to ISONIC PA AUT Platform. At that stage phased array, conventional pulse echo and TOFD probes connected to ISONIC PA AUT (Phased Array) Platform are manipulated over appropriate test blocks in order to provide settings ensuring detection of variously located and oriented reference reflectors. Ultrasonic Setup Wizard guides through:

Phased Array Settings screens for calibration of firing / receiving aperture and phasing, firing pulse amplitude and duration, gain, gates, etc. for each inspection zone designated for phased array probes located from both sides of the weld - downstream (DS) and upstream (US) positions

Conventional and TOFD Probes Channels Settings screen for calibration of firing pulse amplitude and duration, gain, etc according to inspection schemes to be implemented

Strip Chart Configuration screen for selecting horizontal position of each strip and vertical alignment of strips according to probes positioning along the weld. It is possible to perform scanning of calibration block with generating of reference strip chart record and further analysis of captured signals

Ultrasonic Setup Wizard is finished with creation of complete Inspection Setup File; inspection becomes possible at any moment after said file is uploaded into scanning routine

Whilst scanning the superimposed A-Scan data obtained by phased array probes for each zone and A-Scan data captured by conventional pulse echo and TOFD probes is transferred to remote computer along with corresponding coordinates. Remote computer provides on line raw data recording and strip chart imaging accompanied with presentation of position of scanner on the weld. Operator may monitor live A-Scans for any strip. Inspection results file compressing all raw data is created automatically on completion of scanning

At postprocessing stage it is possible to play back all captured A-scan and to proceed with defects marking, sizing, and evaluation

Each probe either phased array, conventional pulse echo, or TOFD may be driven independently through appropriate pulser receiver. This feature is very useful for various purposes such as verification of wedges, studying of phased array focusing effects, etc