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Sunday, April 1, 2007

Back Shop Commercial Edition: Tool Crib

Mitch Muller

Olympus NDT, Inc. Nortec 500 Series Portable Eddy Current Flaw Detectors

If you are looking for a portable, affordable, and state-of-the-art eddy current flaw detector, Nortec is the name. Olympus NDT Inc. has announced a new line of eddy current flaw detectors. The Nortec 500 series improves on previous Nortec eddy current instruments. These units come in three full-featured and lightweight configurations, the 500, 500S and the 500D. These precision instruments include a 6.5 inch diagonal VGA color LCD for increased resolution, digital connectivity, internal balance coils, and a built in pre-amp for extra gain for difficult tests. The 500 allows for basic single frequency eddy current inspections. The 500S model has all of the functions of the 500, but allows for digital conductivity and coating thickness measurements. The 500D allows for all of the features in the Nortec series, but also allows for dual frequency scanning. The 500 series is definitely a breath of fresh air.

Olympus NDT, Inc. Omniscan MX PA

The Omniscan utilizes advanced real-time data processing with it’s technologically advanced Phased Array Software. The Phased Array technology generates an ultrasonic beam with the capability of setting beam diameters, including angle, focal distance and focal point size. Olympus says "It is even possible to quickly vary the angle of the beam to scan a part without even moving the probe". The Omniscan MX PA allows you to maximize the detection of the flaw regardless of it’s orientation. Essentially this unit gives you an all around view of the defect, and weighing in at 2.2 pounds, it can be used easily in all of your NDT applications.

For more information, contact Olympus NDT Inc. 781-419-3900 or olympusNDT.com

WichiTech Industries Inc., RD3 Electronic Digital Tap Hammer

Put away the Quarter, WichiTech in partnership with Boeing, has broken the mold on composite inspections. The RD3 (Rapid Damage Detection Device) is a low cost, handheld inspection instrument that can be used to detect delaminations, voids and degradation in composite structures. This light detection hammer will save you countless hours while inspecting composite cowling, helicopter rotor blades and even floorboards. No more guess work with the repetitious knocks of the nickel, feast your eyes on the easy to read screen and compare the digital readout. The RD3 can detect flaws with as little as a 10 percent difference in bonded composite structures. The Electronic Digital Tap Hammer consists of a lightweight hammer that contains an accelerometer. This information is sent through a flexible cable to the state-of-the-art components inside the durable, impact-resistant case. A scope monitor jack is conveniently located for hammer signal evaluation and for the ease of inspection data storage. This little unit sounds like a hands down asset for the sale of repairs and the safety of your customers.

For more information, contact WichiTech Industries Inc. 800-776-4277 or wichitech.com

NDTS (NDT Solutions Inc.) FlawInspecta

If speed is your thing, Jesse Skramstad with NDTS says "this unit is like a corvette". The FlawInspecta was designed to be a low cost and "rapid" ultrasonic phased array inspection system. The unit provides real-time data acquisition and processing technology used for B and C scan imaging to capture the full-waveform without compromising the inspection speed. This unit comes with a 14 inch LCD display attached to flame retardant ABS plastic with an aluminum alloy chassis. The FlawInspecta is very user friendly with it’s Windows XP operation and feel, it provides for easy transfer of data, setups, reports and archiving. With a fast search, typically over 100 Hz, this unit is ideal for complex cross-section inspections. The FlawInspecta, is a blast from the future. For more information, contact NDTS 715-246-7043 or www.NDTS.com

Machida, Inc., Flexible Borescope Model FBA-4B-100

Last but not least, Machida has produced an affordable, state-of-the-art, battery operated, flexible borescope, Model FBA-4B-100. This unit comes with everything you need to jump into the world of remote inspections. With a 4mm flex cable, 100cm in length and 120 degrees of view, you are well on your way to enlightenment. Along with the battery handle, the FBA-4B-100 comes with a miniature light source. This allows you to do more work in a shop environment without changing out the batteries all of the time. This well planned package comes in a convenient and rugged travel case for on the road inspections. The friendly staff at Machida has the capabilities of building custom borescopes for any application that you need. For more information, contact Machida 800-431-5420 or www.Machidascope.com

Innovations in Non-Destructive Testing ProductsMake Flaw Detection a Breeze

Non-Destructive Testing has been around almost as long as man itself. From the earliest documented case, when Archimedes was commissioned by King Hiero II, to find a way to determine if his solid gold crown had been actually made out of a gold-silver alloy, to our computerized, and highly automated NDT equipment.

Non-Destructive Testing is the manner in which something is tested without harming the structural integrity of the object, like testing the fruit in the supermarket. That’s NDT. In the aviation industry we use NDT to test for cracks in just about every surface, and to inspect areas that normally cannot be seen.

The technology has been increasing throughout the years in the NDT community and has benefited greatly from the major advances in Silicon Valley. Highly complex and smart computers are helping to lead the way to the next generation of Non Destructive Test equipment. Following, is a look out into the future where one can find some of the great products that aviation technicians might be able to use today in the never-ending race to provide less downtime and greater customer satisfaction levels.
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