Fully parallel 32:32 PA electronics expandable to 64:64 / 128:128 functionality
2 PA probe terminals: 1 X 32:32 / 2 X 16:16 - switchable: there is no external splitter required for operating 2 PA probes simultaneously
Ability of work with PA probes carrying up to 64 and 128 elements
Independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture with parallel firing, A/D conversion, and on-the-fly real time digital phasing
Phased array pulser receiver with image guided ray tracing / scan plan designer for the numerous types of simple and complex geometry welds, shafts, bolts, spindles, composite profiles, and the like
8192 independently adjustable focal laws
Bi-polar square wave initial pulse: up to 300 Vpp / 100 dB analogue gain / 0.2...25 MHz bandpass / 16 bit 100 MHz ADC / 32 taps smoothly tunable digital filter
Regular and volume overlay B-Scan / Sector Scan (S-Scan) / Horizontal Plane S-Scan (CB-Scan) coverage accompanied with all-codes-compliant A-Scan based evaluation
Multigroup coverage composed of several cross-sectional B- and S-Scans
Strip Chart
Single group and multigroup Top (C-Scan), Side, End View imaging formed through encoded / time-based line scanning, 3D-Viewer
Single side / both sides weld coverage with use of one PA probe / pair of PA probes
TOFD Map out of a pair of PA probes
Top (C-Scan), Side, End View imaging formed through encoded XY- scanning, 3D-Viewer
Built-in automatic coupling monitor and lamination checker for wedged probes
Equalized cross sectional coverage sensitivity: TCG-independent gain per focal law adjustment providing pure angle gain compensation for S-Scan, etc
DAC, TCG
Dynamic Focusing
FMC, TFM, Back Diffraction Technique with / without and Mode Conversion
Processing of diffracted and mode converted signals for defects sizing and pattern recognition
Operating 2D-array probes
100% raw data capturing
Automatic alarming defects / generating of editable defects list upon scanning completed
Advanced defects sizing and pattern recognition utilities
Conventional UT and TOFD:
2 channels
Single / dual modes of pulsing/receiving for every channel
Bi-polar square wave initial pulse: up to 300 Vpp / 100 dB analogue gain / 0.2...25 MHz bandpass / 16 bit 100 MHz ADC / 32 taps smoothly tunable digital filter
Comprehensive postprocessing and data reporting toolkit
Remote control and data capturing with use of a regular PC with no need in special software
No intake air / no cooling IP 65 light rugged case
Sealed all-functional keyboard and mouse
8.5” bright touch screen
Ethernet, USB, sVGA terminals
ISONIC 3510 uniquely combines PA, single- and multi-channel conventional UT, and TOFD modalities providing 100% raw data recording and imaging. Along with the intuitive user interface, portability, lightweight, and battery operation this makes it suitable for all kinds of every-day ultrasonic inspections
The PA modality is carried by the fully parallel non-multiplexed 32:32 electronics with independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture, each may consist of 1...32 elements when operating one PA probe or 1...16 elements per probe
in case of operating two PA probes simultaneously: there is no external splitter required for the simultaneous use of 2 PA probes. The 64- and 128-elements PA probes may be used with the ISONIC 3510 as well upon they are connected to the
corresponding instrument’s terminals through the various miniature extenders expanding the functionality to the fully parallel 1 X 64:64, 2 X 32:32, 1 X 128:128, and 2 X 64:64 modes with no multiplexing involved (depending on the type
and quantity of the extenders). The groups of phased array probe elements composing the emitting and receiving aperture may be fully or partially matching or totally separated allowing flexible managing of the incidence angles, focal distances,
types of radiated and received waves including directly reflected and diffracted signals either mode converted or not
Each channel is equipped with the own pulser-receiver and A/D converter. Parallel firing, A/D conversion, and ”on-the-fly” digital phasing are performed for every possible composition and size of the emitting and receiving aperture
so the implementing of each focal law is completed within a single pulsing/receiving cycle providing the maximal possible speed of material coverage
ISONIC 3510 allows using of the various types PA probes: linear and rings arrays (LA and RA), dual linear arrays (LA), matrix arrays (MA), dual matrix arrays (DMA), etc
In addition to the PA electronics ISONIC 3510 carries 2 independent conventional channels for implementing of the regular UT and TOFD inspection; each channel is capable for both single and dual modes of use
The top level ultrasonic performance is achieved through firing PA, TOFD, and conventional probes with the bipolar square wave initial pulse with wide-range-tunable duration and amplitude (up to 300 Vpp).
The high stability of the initial pulse amplitude within entire duration of the positive and negative half-waves, the extremely short boosted rising and falling edges and the automatic adaptive damping improve
the signal to noise ratio and resolution allowing controlling of the analogue gain over the 0…100 dB range for each modality
ISONIC 3510 is a very powerful platform for the huge number of the practical PA UT applications available for the activation at any moment. Thanks to the unique True-To-Geometry Volume Overlap Coverage and Real Time Imaging
the ISONIC 3510 is suitable for the high performance inspection of the simple and complex geometry welds (butt, longitudinal, fillet, lap, corner, elbow, etc) with scanning from one or both sides simultaneously (if applicable), bolts,
bridge hanger pins, wind turbine and other shafts, annular rings, flanges, rails and railway axles and wheels, CRFP and GRFP composite panels and profiled stuff, and the like. The precise and easy reproducible
automatic Equalizing of the Sensitivity within Entire Cross-Section / Volume of the Material is provided by the unique TCG-independent angle gain / gain per focal law compensation solution along with the
DAC / TCG image normalization
Thanks to the above noted True-To-Geometry Volume Overlap Coverage and Imaging and Equalizing of the Sensitivity within Entire Cross-Section / Volume of the Material the inspection
results produced by the ISONIC 3510 are easy interpretable and well acceptable by the UT Pros and non-Pros as well
ISONIC 3510 is packed into the IP 65 reinforced plastic case with no intake air or any other cooling means. The large 800X600 8.5” bright screen provides fine resolution and visibility for all types of inspection data
presentation at strong ambient light along with the optimized power consumption rate for the outdoor operation
ISONIC 3510 is fully compliant with the following codes
ASME Code Case 2541 – Use of Manual Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Section V
ASME Code Case 2557 – Use of Manual Phased Array S-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4 Section V
ASME Code Case 2558 – Use of Manual Phased Array E-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4 Section V
ASTM 1961– 06 – Standard Practice for Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing of Girth Welds Using Zonal Discrimination with Focused Search Units
ASME Section I – Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
ASME Section VIII, Division 1 – Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
ASME Section VIII, Division 2 – Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. Alternative Rules
ASME Section VIII Article KE-3 – Examination of Welds and Acceptance Criteria
ASME Code Case 2235 Rev 9 – Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography
Non-Destructive Examination of Welded Joints – Ultrasonic Examination of Welded Joints. – British and European Standard BS EN 1714:1998
Non-Destructive Examination of Welds – Ultrasonic Examination – Characterization of Indications in Welds. – British and European Standard BS EN 1713:1998
Calibration and Setting-Up of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique for the Detection, Location and Sizing of Flaws. – British Standard BS 7706:1993
WI 00121377, Welding – Use Of Time-Of-Flight Diffraction Technique (TOFD) For Testing Of Welds. – European Committee for Standardization – Document # CEN/TC 121/SC 5/WG 2 N 146, issued Feb, 12, 2003
ASTM E 2373 – 04 – Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
Non-Destructive Testing – Ultrasonic Examination – Part 5: Characterization and Sizing of Discontinuities. – British and European Standard BS EN 583-5:2001
Non-Destructive Testing – Ultrasonic Examination – Part 2: Sensitivity and Range Setting. – British and European Standard BS EN 583-2:2001
Manufacture and Testing of Pressure Vessels. Non-Destructive Testing of Welded Joints. Minimum Requirement for Non-Destructive Testing Methods – Appendix 1 to AD-Merkblatt HP5/3 (Germany).– Edition July 1989
1 X 32:32 switchable to / from 2 X 16:16
1 X 64:64* switchable to / from 2 X 32:32*
1 X 128:128* switchable to / from 2 X 64:64*
* - with use of the corresponding extension terminals Important: there is no external splitter required in case of using 2 PA probes simultaneously
Inital Pulse:
Bipolar Square Wave with Boosted Rising and Falling Edges, Guaranteed Shell Stability, and Active Damping
Transition:
≤7.5 ns (10-90% for rising edges / 90-10% for falling edges)
1...32/64*/128* adjustable as fully or partially matching OR mismatching with the receiving aperture
* - with use of the corresponding extension terminals
Receiving Aperture:
1...32/64*/128* adjustable as fully or partially matching OR mismatching with the emitting aperture
* - with use of the corresponding extension terminals
Phasing - emitting and receiving:
0…100 μs with 5 ns resolution independently controllable
Analogue Gain:
0...100 dB controllable in 0.5 dB resolution
Advanced Low Noise Design:
85 μV peak to peak input referred to 80 dB gain / 25 MHz bandwidth
Frequency Band:
0.2 … 25 MHz
A/D Conversion:
100 MHz 16 bit
Digital Filter:
32-Taps FIR band pass with controllable lower and upper frequency limits; non-linear acoustics technique supported
Superimposing of receiving aperture signals:
On-the-fly, no multiplexing involved
Phasing (receiving aperture):
On-the-fly 0…100 μs with 5 ns resolution
Dynamic Focusing:
Supported
FMC, TFM, Back Diffraction Technique with / without and Mode Conversion:
Supported
A-Scan:
RF
Rectified (Full Wave / Negative or Positive Half Wave)
DAC / TCG:
One Per Focal Low
Multi-curve
Slope ≤ 20 dB/μs
Available for the rectified and RF A-Scans
Theoretical – through entering dB/mm (dB/") factor
Experimental – through recording echoes from several reflectors; capacity - up to 40 points
Gates:
2 Independent gates per focal law controllable over entire time base in 0.1 mm /// 0.001" resolution
Threshold:
5…95 % of A-Scan height controllable in 1 % resolution
Phased Array Probes:
1D Array – linear (LA), rings (RA), and the like
Dual Linear Array (DLA)
Matrix Array (MA)
Dual Matrix Array (DMA)
Number of focal laws:
8192 independently adjustable gain / time base per focal law
From an external computer running under W'XP, W'7, W'8, W'10 through Ethernet
No special software required
All calibration and inspection data is stored in the control computer
Ambient Temperature:
-30°C ... +60°C (operation)
-50°C ... +60°C (storage)
Housing:
Rugged reinforced plastic case with the stainless steel carrying handle
IP 65
No air intake
The cooling is not required
Dimensions:
292x295x115 mm (11.50"x11.61"x4.53") - with / without battery inside
Weight:
4,850 kg (10.70 lbs) – with battery 4.200 kg (9.26 lbs) – without battery
Phased Array Pulser Receiver
In the ISONIC 3510 PA Pulser Receiver is controlled through the intuitive operating surface combining classiic user interface of ultrasonic flaw detector and the ray-tracing graphics
Types of waves to be generated in / received from the material are controlled / selected through entering the value of the corresponding ultrasonic velocity in the material. The instrument screen movie below
illustrates an example of switching between longitudinal / shear wave whilst the wedged linear array probe is placed on the IIW-I (V1, K1) block receiving the signal from 100 mm radius concave cylindrical surface (the wedge angle
of 36°exceeds the first critical angle)
The trace of ultrasonic beam, probe footprint, focal points, apertures, etc are truly imaged upon entering thickness, OD, and other data characterizing geometry of the material
Whilst performing inspection with the use of wedged linear array probes according to the S-, B-, or other scan plan it is possible to add a number of additional focal laws to the main sequence.
The calibration for each such focal law is performed through the Phased Array Pulser Receiver dialogue. The instrument screen video below illustrates activation of 0-deg compression wave pulsing-receiving
focal law in order to monitor coupling between the probe and material through evaluation of the back wall echo amplitude (the same focal law allows detection of laminations in the parent material under
the probe at the same time):
Signal presentation and evaluation for the A-Scans obtained through implementing of the desired focal laws is fully compliant with the conventional UT codes and procedures
DAC and TCG may be created through collecting echo amplitude / time of flight data from up to 40 reflectors (points) or through entering dB/mm (dB/inch) factor. The photos and
video below illustrate the use of the typical calibration block for creating a DAC through collection of echoes from the Flat Bottom Hole (FBH) obtained through the half-, full-, 1.5 skip insonification:
The videos below illustrate preparing DAC for the other commonly used reference reflectors, namely, the EDM Notch and the Side Drilled Hole (SDH):
The above allows using of the same concepts and calibration blocks as for conventional UT and extremely simplifies calibration of the instrument prior to the electronic scanning
Note: In order to accelerate the data stream the videos above are linked to the Youtube. In case the YouTube may not be accessed from your location please use the links below
B-Scan / S-Scan
Cross-sectional insonification and imaging of the material may be provided electronically with use of linear array probes through:
Linear scanning with ultrasonic beam at predetermined incidence angle through reallocating of fixed size emitting/receiving aperture within entire array and composing of B-Scan image
Sectorial scanning with ultrasonic beam produced by fixed emitting/receiving aperture through steering of incidence angle in the predetermined range and composing of S-Scan image
Combining linear and sectorial scanning
etc
The effects of inequality of elements of linear array, varying sound path and loss in the delay line or wedge, dependency of energy of refracted wave and effective size of emitting/receiving aperture
on incidence angle should be compensated to equalize the sensitivity over insonified cross-section. The unique feature of ISONIC 3510 is the ability of managing independently adjustable focal laws
within the same frame-composing sequence of pulsing/receiving shots so every focal law may me executed with individually adjusted gain, time base, and other core settings providing:
Gain per Shot Correction for B-Scan
Angle Gain Compensation for S-Scan
True-to-Geometry imaging representing actual distribution of ultrasonic beams and true-to-location indication of defects in the cross-sectional view of the material
Several examples below illustrate the superior performance of ISONIC 2010 proven on the most commonly used simple reference blocks. The instrument files for each example are downloadable and may be played back using the freely distributable ISONIC PA Office software package
Example 1: Two compression wave B-Scan images of three flat bottom holes. The corresponding instrument file # 1 and instrument file # 2 are available for download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 2: Shear wave S-Scan image of several side-drilled holes forming 50 mm radius arc in the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 3: Shear wave S-Scan image of several side-drilled holes forming 25 mm radius arc in the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 4: Shear wave S-Scan image of several side-drilled holes forming straight vertical line in the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 5: Shear wave S-Scan image of several side-drilled holes forming straight line in the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 6: Shear wave S-Scan image of nine side-drilled holes forming 3 short straight lines in the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 7: Shear wave S-Scan image of seven side-drilled holes forming Z-chain in the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 8:True-to-Geometry shear wave S-Scan image of four notches on the bottom surface of the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 9: Shear wave S-Scan image of three flat bottom holes made from the cylyndrical outer surface of the material. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 10: Shear wave S-Scan image of three side-drilled holes forming a vertical line and the inclined step in the material behind the holes. The corresponding instrument file is available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
Example 11: Compression wave S-Scan image of the 1.2 mm flat bottom hole at ~251 mm depth in the ALCOA block and the back surface of the said block. The corresponding instrument file # 1 and instrument file # 2 are available for the download and playing with use of ISONIC PA Office Software package
True-to-Geometry Coverage and Imaging is the unique proprietary technology of Sonotron NDT, which is explained below based on an example related to the inspection of longitudinal weld
True-to-Geometry Coverage and Imaging Technology is based on the following principles:
the actual outer shape and dimensions of the material are entered into the instrument along with the important internal structure particulars and represented on the screen as the dimensioned drawing (sketch)
the image guided ultrasonic beam-tracing is performed by an operator over the said drawing through varying probe position on the scanning surface and manipulating beam coverage parameters virtually until the optimal scan plan is achieved
the needful calibration of ultrasonic PA pulser receiver and the correction settings corresponding to the designed scan plan are performed then with use of the appropriate calibration blocks
at last the sequence of focal laws providing the desired ultrasonic coverage of the material at the given placement of PA probe is formed; every focal law is characterized by the individually adjusted incidence angle, time base, gain, and DAC
the bulks of A-Scans representing every implemented focal law from the plurality defined by the scan plan are pushed into the focal law memory of the instrument and the image is composed in real time indicating the reflectors in their actual positions independently on the combination of beams providing their detection: the corresponding instrument file is available for download and playing with use of of the freely distributable ISONIC PA Office software package
The main advantage of the True To Geometry Coverage and Imaging vs regular sectorial / linear scan coverage is the extremely simple and quick interpretation of the results obtained by the ultrasonic PA flaw detector
The said advantage is illustrated by several videos below illustrating detection of several defects in the butt weld with asymmetrical bevel and in the fillet weld
Note: In order to accelerate the data stream the videos above are linked to the Youtube. In case the YouTube may not be accessed from your location please use the links below
EquPAS – the Equalized Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Sensitivity
EquPAS – the Equalized PAUT Sensitivity approach is applicable for the inspections implemented by all portable and automatic ultrasonic PA flaw detectors and systems of Sonotron NDT’s
ISONIC series (ISONIC 3510, ISONIC 2010, ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope, ISONIC PA AUT)
covering the welds and parent material of all types and shapes, shafts and axles, raw materials (forging and casting), composites, etc tested with the use of linear, matrix and other types of PA probes
The EquPAS approach resolves the issue of inhomogeneous sensitivity over cross-section or volume of the material covered through implementing of the desired scan plan (either sectorial, linear, tandem, or 3D) by PA probe in
each position over the scanning trace. Prior to the inspection the instrument’s PA pulser receiver is calibrated in the same manner as the regular conventional ultrasonic flaw detector for one focal law selected from the plurality
to be implemented within the entire scan plan. Whilst implementing the sequence of pulsing receiving cycles following the scan plan each focal law is characterized by the individually settled focal point and time base; the sensitivity
is equalized within entire insonified section of the material through use of the independent mechanisms of Angle Gain Compensation (AGC, sectorial scan) or Gain per Shot Correction (GSC, linear, tandem, or 3D scan) and DAC/TCG acting
simultaneously thanks to the unique ability of ISONIC Series PA instruments: the DAC / TCG mechanism is used purely for compensating the dependency of echo amplitude on the material travel distance while the feature of
varying Gain per Focal Law voluntarily is utilized just for the forming of easy-reproducible AGC (or GSC) plan. Both the DAC / TCG and AGC (or GSC) plans are created with use of the same set of reference reflectors. The color
palette used for the imaging represents dB-to-DAC (TCG inactive) or the echo height (TCG active) value for each signal. As a result the same defect will be represented with the same color and evaluated accordingly independently
on it’s position in the insonified cross-section or volume of the material
The video below illustrates an example of the EquPAS approach applied to the S-Scan cross-sectional coverage with the use of most common reference reflectors (Flat Bottom Hole, EDM Notch, and Side Drilled Hole) for the
sensitivity calibration
The shorter videos illustrating working out the AGC for FBH, EDM Notch, and SDH followed by justifying the calibration are below:
Note: In order to accelerate the data stream the videos above are linked to the Youtube. In case the YouTube may not be accessed from your location please use the links below
MULTIGROUP
The examples below illustrate the ability of ISONIC 3510 to implement several scanning strategies simultaneously with use of the same PA probe. The limit of 5 scanning strategies per probe
is determined just by the physical screen size allowing clear observation of the images and not by the features of the instrument's electronics resolving PA modality functions
Example 1:Combining of the compression wave linear scan and gated sectorial scan Note: the corresponding instrument file is available for download and playing with use of the freely distributable ISONIC PA Office software package
Example 2:Combining of the true-to-geometry sectorial scan with true-to-geometry linear scan and regular sectorial scan while inspecting a butt weld Note: the corresponding instrument file is available for download and playing with use of the freely distributable ISONIC PA Office software package
Example 3:Sectorial scan 3-regions coverage inspection of the complex geometry shaft with the use of PA probe placed onto the side end surface Note: the corresponding instrument file is available for download and playing with use of the freely distributable ISONIC PA Office software package
ISONIC DUET Technology
ISONIC 3510 instruments allow implementing of the highly demanded DUET and DUET_M applications
related to the inspection of butt (planar and circumferential) and longitudinal welds from both sides simultaneously with use of a pair of PA probes carrying up to 16 elements each.
Use of 2 probes carrying more than 16 elements (up to 32 or 64) each is also possible provided the corresponding extension terminals are involved
There is no external splitter required for the connecting of 2 PA probes to ISONIC 3510
The welds inspected with use of the ISONIC DUET Technology may have either symmetrical or asymmetrical bevel
True to geometry coverage and imaging of the weld & HAZ volume is provided for each PA probe separately and in the overlap; each PA probe may implement a number of insonification schemes simultaneously (2 X MULTIGROUP mode)
For the first time ever the complimentary TOFD inspection with forming of up to 4 separate shots (depending on the material thickness) may be performed out of the same pair of PA probes:
This novel way of implementing TOFD shots extremely simplifies and lightens the structure of the scanning frame;
alternatively the use of 1 or 2 additional pairs of regular TOFD probes connected to the conventional channels is possible
It is also provided the ability of simultaneous K-Pattern pitch-catch detection of the transversal cracks with use of conventional shear wave probes
Whilst scanning the weld from both sides along the fusion line the instrument performs:
100% raw data capturing
True-to-geometry cross-sectional imaging for each probe separately and in the overlap
Generating of the corresponding strip chart representing top view of the weld and HAZ
Coupling with the material is monitored for each PA probe separately and recorded into the corresponding strips
There is a number of scanners available for implementing of scanning with a pair of PA probes, such as, for example:
In order to prevent the quick damage of the cables of the PA probe carried by the scanner there are various extenders available,
which are connected to the instrument's PA probe terminals at one end and fitted into the scanner frame at the other so the PA probes cables are kept connected reliably
For the given pitch size the use of the extender doubles the width coverage in the material for the straight beam compression wave applications, such as flaw detection, corrosion mapping, inspection of composite panels for laminations, etc:
In case of using wedged linear array probes the extender allows doubling the size of the active aperture providing the sharp focusing and imaging while inspecting heavy thickness materials:
C-Scan & 3D Imaging
For all types of the cross-sectional coverage ISONIC 3510 provides 3D Data Presentation - Top (C-Scan), Side, and End Projection Views through the line scanning either encoded or time-based with use of the linear array probes at rectangle to the elements count direction
There is a large number of various encoders and scanners available for the True-to-Location recording along the scanning line whilst scanning a wide variety of parts and materials - planar and circumferential butt welds, longitudinal seams, composites, raw materials, and the like. Some encoders and scanners for the line-scanning with use of one phased array probe are presented below. For scanning with a pair of phased array probe click on the DUET tab
SK 2001108 PA - Wheels-free draw wire encoder
This simple encoder is suitable for the quick manual scanning of the short sections (up to 1 meter) of the plates, planar butt welds, longitudinal welds, large OD circumefrential welds, and the like
SK 2001116 PA - Double magnetic wheel encoder
The robust encoder provides stable direction scanning with reliable positioning data. Phased array probe is fitted into the corresponding probe holder connected to the the encoder. Each probe holder is quipped with the irrigation channel allowing reliable coupling along the whole scanning trace
The enccoder 2001116 PA is suitable for the scanning above flat surfaces and pipes with OD of 50 mm and above
SK 2001118 PA - Wheeled encoder (silicon tires) for scanning above non-magnetic materials
The robust edncoder provides stable direction scanning with reliable positioning data. Phased array probe is fitted into the corresponding probe holder connected to the the encoder. Each probe holder is equipped with the irrigation channel allowing reliable copling along the whole scanning trace
During the line scanning every cross sectional view is recorded along with the complete sequence of raw data A-Scans it is composed of. C-Scan image is switchable between distance (thickness or defects depth) and amplitude map
Very powerful off-line data analysis toolkit includes:
Playing back cross sectional views and A-Scans
Gain manipulation in ±6dB range for all recorded A-Scans followed by corresponding update of the cross-sectional, Top-, Side-, End- views
All-standards-compliant gate-based evaluation of the echoes
Geometry and amplitude filtering
Automatic marking of the defects and creating of the defect list
Automatic and manual determining projection dimensions and area size of defects
Image slicing and profiling
3D-viewing
etc
Click on the pictures below to see the exemplary illustrations of the results obtained through the line scanning of various parts and materials
Example # 1: 0-deg compression wave inspection with linear array probe
Example # 2: Inspection of butt welds
Example # 3: Inspection of longitudinal welds
Example # 4: Compression wave inspection of the radius area in the composite stringers
Example # 5: Compression wave inspection of the shafts, bolts, spinled, and the like through the scanning around the flat end surface
Crack Sizing
Internal Cracks
ISONIC 3510 allows detection and high precision sizing of the internal cracks inside the material based on the analysis of the shear and / or longitudinal wave tip diffraction signals
Shear Wave Diffraction Based Sizing of the Vertical Cracks
Longitudinal Wave Diffraction Based Sizing of the Vertical Cracks
Narrowing the region of interest shortens the time base for the A-Scans forming the cross-sectional coverage view allowing to distinguish between the upper and lower tip of the crack through 180-deg phase shift of the first half wave. This makes it possible applying of the TOFD technique principles whilst scanning with one probe only:
It is important that both the shear and the longitudinal wave cross-sectional coverage either S-Scan or B-Scan or a combination of them may be implemented simultaneously out of the same wedged linear array probe through running of the ISONIC PA MULTIGROUP utility. At last performing of the shear wave and longitudinal wave inspection with crack sizing in a single pass with one PA probe only became possible
Surface Breaking Cracks
Sizing of the surface-breaking cracks is implemented with use of 64-elements linear array probe. Separated emitting and receiving aperture with matching focal points produce and receive longitudinal wave signals in a sequence containing several pulsing-receiving cycles (focal laws).
The matching focal points of the emitting and receiving aperture are manipulated over the vertical line between the bottom and near surface of the material synchronously.
For each focal law the time base of the A-Scan is re-arranged automatically to provide appearance of every possible tip diffraction echo at 50% horizontal position. Recorded signal heights are represented on the Tip Diffraction B-Scan.
Placing mouse cursor over the desired cell of the Tip Diffraction B-Scan reproduces the corresponding A-Scan and the ray trace. For the detected tip diffraction signal the crack depth and the remaining material thickness are determined with high precision (~0.1 mm) through the triangulation routine
Example of the Tip Diffraction B-Scan obtained with the linear array probe placed above the material without (1) and with (2) a surface breaking crack: 3 - lateral wave (LW) signal mark; 4 - back wall (BW) echo mark; 5 - BW echo representation on the A-Scan; 6 - tip diffraction signal mark; 7 - tip diffraction signal appearance on the A-Scan; 8, 9 - precisely defined crack depth and remaining material thickness
Defects Pattern Analysis
The pattern analysis for the weld imperfections found by pulse-echo technology may be performed by ISONIC 3510 instrument with the use of well-known Delta Technique.
Comparing to the quite bulky traditional embodiment for the Delta-Technique requiring the use of angle beam shear wave and zero-degree compression wave conventional probes and two different instrument readings to be taken through implementation of
two different calibration sets the phased array technology based solution requires one wedged linear array probe only
In order to distinguish between the low risk volumetric and the critical sharp edge defects there are just two pulsing-receiving cycles (focal laws) focal laws implemented in sequence:
the first focal law provides emitting of the shear wave towards the discontinuity and receiving of the direct shear wave echo (marked as 1)
the second focal law provides emitting of the shear wave towards the discontinuity and receiving of the diffracted longitudinal wave echo (marked as 2)
The instrument evaluates the above signals automatically and provides the digital readout (marked as 3) for so called KLS value, based on which the defect pattern is recognized
The instrument screen video illustrating the above described defect process of the defect pattern analysis through the comparing of the shear and longitudinal wave echoes is shown below:
The same process may be activated whilst peforming sectorial scan coverage of the material - the instrument screen video is below:
Note: In order to accelerate the data stream the videos above are linked to the Youtube. In case the YouTube may not be accessed from your location please use the links below
Use of the 2D Array Probes
Two-rows 2D Array probes (also known as DLA - Dual Linear Array probes) organized as up 2 X 16 may be connected to ISONIC 3510 directly;
the probes containing more than 32 elements and organized as 2 X N whereas N < 33 should be connected through the extension terminal (extender) part # S 4922A064D032
The wedged dual linear array probes provide significant improving of the signal-to-noise ratio for some applications related to the compression wave inspection of coarse grain materials, for example stainless steel, CRA, and similar welds
For some inspection applications such as defects detection in the tube-to-tubesheet welds of the heat exchangers, corrosion detection, etc the dual linear array probes with the integrated delay lines may improve the near to surface resolution significantly.
ISONIC 3510 allows performing of both S-Scan and B-Scan coverage with use of dual linear array probes
C-Scan and B-Scan images for the 3 mm wall thickness tube with several small imperfections
Use of the Dual Matrix Array Probes (DMA)
ISONIC 3510 provides the ability of working the wedged DMA probes carrying a pair of matrix arrays comprising M x N elements each. DMA probes allow performing of the beam steering in the cross-sectional plane along with the
swiveling. This increases the flexibility of ultrasonic pulsing receiving thanks to the ability of controlling the depth of the common focal point for the emitting and receiving arrays electronically for the same wedge: in such manner the
signal-to-noise ratio may be optimized very efficiently. The control of the ultrasonic beams is illustrated by the short instrument screen video below:
The wedged DMA probes allow high performance inspection of the coarse grain welds made of CRA (Corrosion Resistant Alloys), Stainless Steel (Duplex, Super Duplex), and the like through running of
the EXPERT DMA or EXPERT_A DMA Inspection Software Applications:
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
PA UT (PAUT) Applications
Thanks to it's unique smart, flexible, and "teachable" architecture combined with the outstanding ultrasonic performance ISONIC 3510 has been an ideal platform for the practically unlimited number
of standard and customized inspection software applications, the number of which is increasing permanently. Each application is dedicated to the resolving of the inspection tasks related to the certain class of parts and materials to be tested (the similar shape parts varying by the overall dimensions and the dimensions of particular segments).
Since the part to be inspected is outlined the scan plan is created just in few moments providing the True-to-Geometry Volume Corrected Coverage and imaging. This makes it possible to inspect complex geometry parts easily while the non Sonotron NDT made phased array instruments are practically not applicable
More details about PA AUT applications:
XY (Raster) Scanning
ISONIC 3510 supports the encoded XY-scanning and recording with PA probe for the variety of the inspection tasks
The typical inspection tasks such as corrosion mapping, detection of the impact damages in in the composite panels, flaw detection in various materials, and the like are resolved through to the compression wave inspection with use of linear- or 2D-array probes with / without detachable delay lines, etc.
The XY-Scan software application is required for the said inspections; use of various XY-scanners from the simplest Draw-Wire to the high precision is supported
There is 100%-raw data capturing performed while scanning so the inspection results may be presented in the form of the Amplitude- or Depth C-Scan (switchable), 3D image, various slices either longitudinal, transversal or horizontal, and the like; every cross-sectional view corresponding to the desired probe position and every A-Scan may be played back and evaluated. The data noted above may be reproduced at the various Gain and Gate settings:
ISONIC Roverscan
The ISONIC RoverScan technique allows inspecting of the complex geometry parts such as turbine blades, pipe-to-pipe welds, and the like through XY-scanning
In such parts the cross-sectional shape varies along the scanning trace so
the true-to-position material-shape-accommodation of the cross-sectional coverage focal laws is performed by ISONIC 3510 in real time whilst manipulating PA probe over them; in other
words: for every point of the probe trace the focal laws are accommodated dynamically in order to provide the complete true-to-geometry cross sectional coverage
To follow the ISONIC Roverscan technique the 3D-model (CAD, Parasolid, etc) of the part to be tested is used by the instrument in the following way:
At the pre-inspection stage the 3D-model of the part is “implanted” into the instrument's memory as a template
At the scanning stage the coordinates of the PA probe manipulated over the part are taken by the instrument through the appropriate encoding means and the accommodation of the focal laws is performed automatically in real time at every point of the probe trace:
the corresponding true-to-location cross-sectional scan plan (ray tracing) is generated and implemented so the cross-section of the part under the probe is “filled” with the ultrasonic beams accordingly providing the needful coverage
the true-to-geometry imaging of the cross-section is provided so on receiving an echo from an obstacle either geometry or internal discontinuity (imperfection) the reflector is imaged in its real position through settling of the appropriate mark on the image
all cross-sectional views obtained during the scanning are pushed into the 3D-template in the instrument’s memory and stored along with the corresponding raw data (A-Scans) sets
On completion of the scanning the 3D-image of the part with the imperfections found is generated
Conventional UT and TOFD Modalities
For the single conventional channel operation ISONIC 3510 provides:
Fully featured A-Scan inspection
Line scanning recording and imaging of the following types:
Thickness B-Scan;
True-to-Geometry flaw detection B-Scan for angle beam and straight beam probes;
Flaw detection CB-Scan for the guided, surface, and shear wave probes inspections;
High resolution flaw detection B-Scan;
Fully featured TOFD inspection
Comprehensive postprocessing toolkit
This fully corresponds to the scope of functionality provided by the very popular Sonotron NDT's portable ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder ISONIC 2005 / ISONIC STAR / ISONIC 2020
ISONIC 3510 also provides dual-channel strip chart recording being capable to form the strips of all known types:
B-Scan (Map);
PE (Amplitude + Time of Flight);
TOFD;
Coupling
The comprehensive off-line analysis and data reporting toolkit for all kinds of data captured using conventional UT and TOFD modalities is built-in
This fully corresponds to the scope of functionality provided by the very well known Sonotron NDT's portable multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder ISONIC 2008 in dual-channel configuration
In the ISONIC 3510 the conventional and phased array channels may be used simultaneously. For example Sonotron NDT's DUET_M technology supposes the use of a pair of wedged linear array probes for the multi-group inspection of welds from both sides and, at parallel, the use of:
up to 2 additional pairs of regular TOFD probes;
OR
up to 2 pairs of conventional angle beam shear wave probes for the K-Pattern pitch-catch detection of the transversal cracks
OR
combining of the above
UT over IP - Remote Control and Data Acquisition
Thanks to the Client – Server software architecture ISONIC 3510 may be controlled remotely from a regular PC running under Win’XP, 7, 8, 10. There is no need in the special software for that purpose, just download and install in the PC the same software as used in the instrument
The software installed in the PC should be of the same release as the software running in the ISONIC 3510 and correspond to the instrument model
Installing the Instrument Software in the PC
Upon started the installation routine generates the dialogue as below on the PC screen:
It is necessary to check Install client only and uncheck Run on windows startup option then to click on Install button. Further actions are taken by the installation routine automatically
Controlling the Instrument from the PC
The instrument and the PC should be connected to the same LAN or to the router distributing IP automatically. The instrument should be switched on: it will generate the initial Startup menu. During the whole remote control session the instrument should remain with the same Startup menu on the screen.
In the PC the same software should be launched but on appearing of the Startup menu it is necessary to selected from the list of the Idle equipment:
Since the connection is established ISONIC 3510 unit enters into the slave mode being connected to the probes and encoder and running the just the server routine while the control PC performs full control of the instrument, data acquisition, processing, and storage on the local drives through running of the client software in the same manner as the instrument does when operating autonomously
For all types of the cross-sectional coverage ISONIC 3510 provides 3D Data Presentation - Top (C-Scan), Side, and End Projection Views through the line scanning either encoded or time-based with use of the linear array probes at rectangle to the elements count direction
