Evaluation of an Automated Ultrasonic Scanner

Thumbnail Image
Date
1991
Authors
Lebowitz, Carol
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract

As part of the “Ultrasonics as an Alternative to Radiography for Weld Inspection (UT/RT) Program”, an evaluation of computer-assisted ultrasonics was performed. Briefly, this evaluation consisted of inspecting 33 UT/RT test plates, 650 feet of welds being fabricated in new construction, and 542 inches of welds in overhaul. Eight Navy UT inspectors and one “experienced” operator of the computer-assisted ultrasonic system inspected the test plates using the P-scan system with a manual weld scanner. Additionally, the test plates were inspected by manual ultrasonics and radiography (using an Iridium source with Kodak type AA film). Reference 1 summarizes the procedures that were used for this work and reports on the detection and disposition reliability for these inspection techniques. The UT/RT Program indicated that the use of computer-assisted ultrasonics would offer several qualitative benefits over conventional ultrasonics, including: a more repeatable and reproducible inspection, less operator dependency, better evidence of weld coverage, the potential for improved consistency of length measurement, and an automatic, hard-copy record of the inspection. Furthermore, it was suggested that the use of computer-assisted ultrasonics performed with an automated scanner would offer potential gains in terms of reproducibility, economics and operator independency. Since only a manual weld scanner was evaluated for the UT/RT Program, it was necessary to evaluate the capabilities of an automated scanner. Therefore, the work reported herein was performed to determine the ability of an automated ultrasonic scanner to: (1) operate in a shipyard environment and (2) repeatably detect weld discontinuities.

Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
event
Comments
Rights Statement
Copyright
Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 1991
Funding
DOI
Supplemental Resources