The Socomate's Phased Array FAAST, is a Phased Array much more powerful than a conventional one, as it is able to replace several units working in parallel.

FAAST is a unique and patented UT Phased Array EMPOWER THE WAY OF UT TESTING BY DESIGNING YOUR OWN LIMITS HIGH SPEED UT TESTING LINE - HIGH FLEXIBILITY FAAST is a UT Phased Array (PAUT) system which is much more powerful than conventional Phased Array system. Thanks to its technology, the FAAST system has the capability to transmit multiple sound beams, multi-oriented and/or multi-focused, through multi- element probes with only one single shot, and then to process signals received from all beams in real time. This patented technology (WO 03029808) revolutionizes the NDT environment when speaking about UT inspection due to its high speed testing capabilities, as it is able to replace several conventional Phased Array systems running in parallel. At higher inspection speeds, it offers even more savings due to the reduction of Phased Array probes, mechanical parts, maintenance and calibration time. Furthermore, as well as FAAST increasing productivity due to its capabilities, it can also be perceived as a very flexible system which can save you lots of money. As an example, if today, a customer only requires Longitudinal and Transversal flaw detection, perhaps tomorrow the requirement will be to inspect for oblique flaws. Simply by configuring the software settings regarding the delay laws of FAAST technology, one inspection configuration can be easily upgraded in order to meet with any new requirements.  The FAAST technology can be applied to any type of application (Tubes, bars, plates, aircraft components, railroad, etc…), on different materials (Titanium, Aluminium, Steel, Special Alloy, Copper, Composites, etc…) and in any industries. To demonstrate the system capabilities, we invite you to read the different possibilities that the FAAST Phased Array technology offers. The product comes in a 3U rack, 19 inches, and is able to provide 32, 64, 96 and 128 channels full parallel. As any Phased Array, it can supplies configuration such: • 1x32 ; 2x32 ; 3x32 ; 4x32 • 1x64 ; 2x64 • 1x96 • 1x128 As it operates in full parallel, it can in addition deliver advanced acquisition mode that conventional Phased Array cannot: • Multi-angle: Shoot multiple beams in a plan or in space within 1 single shot, using 1D linear or 2D matrix multi-element probes. • Multi-focus: Shoot multiple focused beams in 1 single shot. • Multibeam: Parallel firing all in once, and can also be combined with Multi-angle and Multi-focus. • Multi-frequencies: FAAST-PA is able to take shots at different frequencies, from the same multi-element probes, at the same time. • As we shoot several beams for each capabilities, FAAST-PA technology is processing signals from all beams in real time. Multi-angle acquisition mode: The multi-angle is one of the prominent capabilities of our Phased Array FAAST (PAUT) for generating multiple beams using a multi- element probe and up to 16 beam orientations or even more, are generated simultaneously in one single shot. Signals are processed in real time, up to 16 directions simultaneously, but this does not restrict the number of beams. This advanced acquisition mode can be used with either 1D linear probe or 2D Matrix multi-element probe. Multi-angle acquisition mode using a 1D linear multi-element probe: With Phased Array FAAST, one single shot is required to transmit several beams in the probe's incidence plan, which can go up to 16 different direction in real time (but does not restrict the number of beams) compared to conventional Phased Array, where several sequential shots are required to perform the inspection.

Multi-angle acquisition mode using a 2D matrix multi-element probe: The advanced multi-angle acquisition mode combined with a 2D Matrix probe is the perfect combination when looking for transverse, longitudinal and oblique flaws simultaneously. Our technology offers the possibility to transmit multiple orientation beams using only one multi-element probe and one single shot, satisfying the requirements of high productivity lines. Below is a typical example where our FAAST technology could be shown as very flexible, compare to conventional Phased Array: An inspection system has been supplied for the inspection of 2 longitudinal, 2 transversal and 4 oblique flaws. If tomorrow the customer needs to inspect say 8 oblique angles (or more) instead of 4, in order to increase the inspection quality or to comply with a more severe standard, with conventional Phased Array it would require either to add more probes or to slow the production line, leading to a lower productivity. More UT electronics would then be required in order to keep the same productivity, which will lead to more calibration time, more maintenance costs, etc. With our Phased Array FAAST the simple software settings add more delay laws which will perform the inspection of 2 longitudinal, 2 transversal and 8 oblique without decreasing the productivity, without adding any mechanical parts, without extra time for calibration, as we can shoot all the beams simultaneously, using a single probe in up to 16 directions (or more).

Multi-focus acquisition mode: The multi-focal is one of the other prominent capabilities of our UT FAAST Phased Array (PAUT) system allowing the generation of multifocal beams through a multi-element probe in one single shot. The principle of Phased Array is to calculate the delay laws to focus at a given depth and/or angle and this method is usually used with either 1D linear or 2D matrix multi-element probes. The advantage of Phased Array compare to mono-element, cylindrical or spherical focusing, is the possibility to calculate the delay laws by Software instead of having a concave probe for each focus depth. When considering the multizone testing with 1 multi-element probe, 1D or 2D matrix, the Multi-focal advanced acquisition mode from the Phased Array FAAST is a real strength as it allows the reduction of the number of required shots due to its capacity to transmit multiple focus delay laws. This gives a huge advantage regarding inspection speed and time. Multi-focus acquisition mode: A conventional Phased Array would need 3 sequential shots to send beams in 3 different focus points whereas we perform the same results in 1 single shot, without forgetting that our technology is able to transmit up to 16 beams (or more) at different focus points through only 1 multi-element probe while processing signals in real time. This is the reason of why the FAAST could make the difference when talking about mechanicals, number of probes, calibration time, and high productivity

Multi-frequency One other feature, is to be able to shot at different frequencies using the same probe, and shooting simultenaously. For example, this is useful for generating 0° ultrasound beams at 5MHz and 10MHz in one single shot. Following our reference in OCTG market, we have used the multi- frequency using a 1D linear multi-element probe, meaning that with one probe, we are able to supply wall thickness measurement at 5MHz, and delamination at 7.5MHz, within 1 single shot and using only 1 probe. Instead of having sequential shooting for each direction, or the use of 1 multi-element for one frequency, our FAAST-PA can easily perform such UT inspection all in once. Furthermore, such performances allow our technology to answer to any increase of inspection speed requirements, but also answering to any upcoming requirements.

Multibeam acquisition mode: Regarding the operation of “Multi-beam”, it is the simultaneous activation of several sub-aperture which allows to reduce the number of shots either by covering the entire probe or by performing an electronic scanning. This configuration reduces the scanning time without compromising on quality, and so using this advanced acquisition mode would make you save lots of inspection time to increase the productivity. The number of beams and the interspace is configurable within the UT electronic. However, it can be demonstrated that a conventional Phased Array is able to perform the same UT testing when talking about a 0° ultrasonic beam. That is why the next examples would show the difference between our Phased Array FAAST and a conventional Phased Array when different angles or focus are needed. Furthermore, the process of Multi-beam is available either with a 1D Linear or a 2D Matrix probe. To supply concrete example and to give a comparison between a conventional Phased Array and the FAAST, there would be 3 different focused points to inspect at different depth of a part. Consider a 64 channels UT electronic with 3 apertures of 12 elements each and with a 1D Linear 64 elements probe. This example is based on an electronic scanning but could also have 4 apertures of 16 elements in order to cover the full range of a 64 element probe.

Multibeam acquisition mode combined with Multi-focus: With Phased Array FAAST, it can perform all focused points within one single shot. The advantage of its flexibility is that if tomorrow one customer wants to inspect thicker or thinner products, it allows to setup 16 focal laws or more by Software settings in order to keep the same productivity, giving thus a huge saving to any upcoming situation. No need to add more probes, more UT electronics, more mechanical, more calibration time, more maintenance costs, Phased Array FAAST would always provide the best solution. In comparison with conventional Phased Array, which should require 3 sequential shot, focus 1, focus 2, then focus 3, before shifting of 2 elements for another cycle of 3 shots when using scanning mode, Socomate's technology perform in 1 single shot, all focal laws in each aperture, and then process of the 2 elements shift. 

Multibeam acquisiton mode combined with Multi-angle: With Phased Array FAAST, it can perform all angles within one single shot. The advantage of its flexibility is that if tomorrow one customer wants to inspect in more angles, it allows to setup more beams simply by Software settings in order to increase the quality, or to answer to any upcoming new requirements and keeping the same productivity, giving thus a huge saving to any upcoming situation. In comparison with conventional Phased Array, which should require 3 sequential shot, angle 1, angle 2, then angle 3, before shifting of 2 elements for another cycle of 3 shots when using scanning mode, Socomate's technology perform in 1 single shot, all angles in each aperture, and then process of the 2 elements shift.

References

Automated UT inspection using Phased Array in immersion tank: Using the FAAST-PA technology, the main purpose of this reference were to inspect a part with several zones due to its complexity. To perform such inspection, the advanced acquisition mode Multi-focus has been used in order to drastically reduce the inspection time. To perform such inspection, using standard Phased Array, sequential shots would have been required to cover the entire UT inspection. By using Socomate's FAAST-PA, the inspection is made using only 1 Phased Array probe, and in only 3 shots. How ? 1 shot is used for the inspection near the surface 1 single shot is used for the inspection of zones by using the Multi- focus 1 shot is used for the inspection of the bottom As Socomate's business model is to work in close partnership with companies that manufacture Industrial Automated UT inspection system, all mechanics has been made by our French Partner, BIA.

High speed on-track rail inspection: The FAAST-PA is the only one Phased Array in the world able to supply a UT inspection of rail at high speed. To perform such inspection, the advanced acquisition mode Multi-angle has been used. The specifications for this realization are the inspection of 8 angles with real time data processing, using only one 32 elements Phased Array probe per rail. Following customer requirements, the inspection speed is 72km/h with an inspection pitch of 4mm. To complete the installation, 3 mono-element probes have been added offset, for the 0°, 55° and 70°. This reference is based in Australia with SRMA (Speno Rail Maintenance in Australia), for retrofitting the old UT electronics installed.

Automated UT inspection of OCTG tubes using Phased Array with gantries: Using the FAAST-PA technology for OCTG seamless tube, the main purpose of this reference were to detect Longitudinal, Transversal plus all oblique, inner and outer flaws, the whole in real time to inspect 100% of the tube in addition to wall thickness measurement and lamination. To comply with such demand, Socomate International has supplied a 1D linear probe with Multibeam acquisition mode for lamination and wall thickness, plus 2D matrix probes with Multi-angle for all oblique flaw detection.

Linear UT inspection of high precision tube, a complete alternative to rotary head: Using the FAAST-PA, the main purpose of this reference were to inspect Longitudinal and Transversal, inner and outer flaws. To perform such inspection, the principle is based on the conception of what Socomate's call a Bi-linear Phased Array ring probe, which has the particularity to shoot in 2 planes meaning that with only 1 probe it is possible to perform Longitudinal and Transversal flaw detection. Precisely, 4 ring probes are necessary to fully inspect the tube and following the specifications of customer, such configuration offers the possibility to inspect a tube diameter range from 15 to 50mm with a thickness range from 1 to 4mm at a linear speed of 12meters/min. With a linear feeding testing line of high precision small diameter tubes, Socomate international has in addition to its FAAST technology added the e.Rota system in charge of the dimensional measurement. Both solutions are integrated into a simple immersion tank, in order to supply a complete alternative to rotary head for dimensional measurement and flaw detection.