AR PAUT: Augmented Reality PAUT


Since introducing VAUT (Video Aided UT) technology by Sonotron NDT in 2016 it became highly demanded by the users of new generation ISONIC 35 series ultrasonic PA and conventional flaw detectors such as ISONIC 3505, ISONIC 3507, and ISONIC 3510 providing synchronous embedding of the scanning process video into the files carrying ultrasonic inspection raw data and mapping records

1. Live segment of True-to-Geometry S-Scan implanted into the video stream

Technology for parallel on-the-fly processing of the video stream produced by the HD camera settled nearby scanning area and connected to the instrument's USB port and the stream of raw and processed PAUT data is the next important step forward: for the first time ever the live Augmented Reality (AR) image may be formed on the instrument screen in real time whilst scanning and off-line at the postprocessing stage. The first AR PAUT video frame represents the scanning with PA probe manipulated above the material under evaluation and live PAUT cross-sectional image (either True-to-Geometry S-Scan, TFM or B-Scan) obtained out of the probe and “implanted” into the said frame at the current probe position. Whilst scanning the live cross-sectional image of the material is updated according to the stream of ultrasonic data and current X, Y, Z coordinates and a, b, g swiveling angles in 3 orthogonal planes for each probe position. The probe coordinates and swiveling data is obtained from the video stream formed by HD camera connected to the instrument’s USB terminal and processed in real time

As the use of comprehensive set of parameters for the probe position and swiveling carried by video stream and processed by the instrument in real time is mandatory for augmenting the reality with implanted live ultrasonic images - the same instrumentation may be used at parallel for the revolutionary precise and extremely reliable recording and mapping of manual scanning results without involving traditional encoding means, which are not so suitable for the significant number of practical inspections. Embedding ultrasonic raw data and imaging streams into the inspection process video streams recorded along with opens new horizons for the integration of PAUT inspection results into risk maintenance and other databases used in various industries

2. Back-plane Video Stream Guided and Recorded Manual Scanning

2.1. Line Scanning with PA Probe

Comprehensive set of parameters for the probe position and swiveling carried by video stream and processed by the instrument provides the opportunity of absolutely free-lance and very precise line scanning without affecting the quality of the recorded data. The scanning process may be interrupted at any point of the predefined scanning trace as well as resumed at any moment and at any new probe position without some data loss and affecting the quality of the recorded and imaged map. The real time warnings generated in result of the processing the video stream data prevent imperfection of data recording and minimize the time consumption required for completion of the inspection

2.2. Raster Scanning with PA Probe

Comprehensive set of parameters for the probe position and swiveling carried by video stream and extracted and processed by the instrument provides the opportunity of absolutely free-lance and very precise raster scanning without affecting the quality of the recorded data scanning process may be interrupted at any point of scanning surface as well as resumed at any moment and at any new probe position without some data loss and affecting the quality of the recorded and imaged map. The real time warnings generated in result of the processing the video stream data prevent imperfection of data recording and minimize the time consumption required for completion of the inspection

The process is illustrated by the video below:



Note: In order to accelerate the data stream the video above is linked to the Youtube. In case the YouTube may not be accessed from your location please use the link below