ISONIC AUT 16/32
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Multi Channel Flaw Detector for Automatic Ultrasonic Testing

Core component for automatic ultrasonic inspection systems

ISONIC AUT 16/32 portable instruments are built to serve as core components of in-line production and in-service automatic ultrasonic inspection systems.


ISONIC AUT 16 comprises 16 and ISONIC AUT 32 comprises 32 identical independent UDS 3-6 channels, each equipped with own pulser, receiver, and 100 MHz sampling rate signal digitizer (A/D Converter). Every channel may drive either single or dual element probe or probe pair through 2 probe terminals. Highest scanning speed is achieved through simultaneous (parallel) pulsing, receiving, digitizing, and recording of signals by up to 16 / 32 channels. On case of ultrasonic cross-talking UDS 3-6 channels may be toggled to work sequentially.

Significant improvement of signal to noise ratio and dynamic range is achieved through firing probes with unique bi-polar square wave initial pulse reaching up to 400 Volt peak-to-peak amplitude. Duration and amplitude for both positive and negative half-waves of the initial pulse may be tuned in wide range. Further it is provided high stability of firing amplitude selected by an operator while leading and falling edges of bi-polar initial pulse are electronically boosted.

Every channel is featured with 3 independent gates providing unique ability of Gain per Gate Adjustment (GGA) – this allows implementing of back echo attenuation, interface gate synchronizing, suppression of large geometry echoes, and other functions typical for automatic ultrasonic inspection.

ISONIC AUT 16/32 electronics is featured with:
  • multi-axis encoder interface
  • scanner motor control and powering interface
  • pedal and/or button “start/stop inspection” inputs
  • programmable outputs for driving paint guns, audible alarm sirens, GO/NO-GO parts sorters
  • signal TOF / amplitude proportional analogue outputs
The appropriate terminals may be arranged for all above external devices or any combination of them according to scope of inspection requirements.

ISONIC AUT 16/32 instruments are packed into rugged portable and light IP 67 sealed cases, which may be either fitted onto the scanner’s chassis or mounted into a cabinet at the stationary inspection deck or just dropped onto a ground while performing inspection at the filed site. Regular remote laptop or desktop PC equipped with inspection software package provides full control of the instrument and real time data acquisition through Ethernet. Ultrasonic signals are sampled on-board then digitised raw inspection data is transferred to remote PC for further processing, storage, and imaging. Fully digital through-Ethernet control and data transfer provide practically unlimited length of distance to remote PC enabling flexibility of creating control rooms or multiple monitor stations throughout the factory / hangar / weld station, etc

Scope of ultrasonic inspection techniques implemented by ISONIC AUT 16/32 instruments includes thickness gauging, pulse echo, pitch-catch, and through-transmission flaw detection, TOFD, and the like. Multi-channel scanning strategy and data presentation are implemented under control and processing of inspection software package running in the remote PC

For line scanning applications inspection data is presented in a form of strip chart. The following types of strips may be formed:
PE
Amplitude / TOF Pulse Echo Strip represents peak amplitude and time of flight for signals matching with Gate and exceeding it’s threshold level
Position of Amplitude Line on the strip is proportional to the signal height. Echo amplitude equal or exceeding 100% of A-Scan height brings Amplitude Line trace to full strip width level. Width of gray Time of Flight (TOF) Rectangle is proportional to the signal position within the Gate. For signals, which’s time of flight measurement point matches with the Gate end width of gray Time of Flight (TOF) Rectangle is equal to the full strip widthFor geometry echoes matching within specially designated Gate Tail the Amplitude Line is not produced, just TOF Rectangle
Map
Up to 256 Colors Palette Map Strip represents sequence of A-Scans whereas color of points for each horizontal line is coded according to corresponding signal level and default palette
TOFD
256 gray levels TOFD strip represents sequence of RF A-Scans whereas brightness of points for each horizontal line is modulated according to corresponding signal level
Coupling
Coupling Strip is formed through comparing amplitude of reference signal with the gate threshold. Green Sufficient Coupling record is provided for signals exceeding gate threshold; red Insufficient Coupling record is provided in opposite case
The strips as described may form strip-chart in any user-defined composition comprising up 32 strips with use of ISONIC AUT 16 and up to 64 strips with use of ISONIC AUT 32, all raw data A-Scans are stored upon saving strip chart into a file and may be played-back and processed off-line then

For the area scanning inspection data may be presented in a form combining amplitude / TOF / Thickness C-Scan, B- and D-Scan, 3D-View, etc. Significant increasing of scanning speed is provided through use of grape-, brush-, or other type of composition of several probes driven each by it’s own channel into one inspection head


Raw data A-Scans are stored completely upon saving inspection results into a file and may be played-back and processed off-line then enabling echo-dynamic pattern analysis, defects sizing, outlining, pattern recognition. Inspection data may be converted into widely used ASCII, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Word formats
One regular PC may control and acquire data from several ISONIC AUT 16/32 instruments simultaneously allowing rational organization of AUT jobs on-site and minimizing manpower involved

Application Example:
Movie illustrating on-line automatic multi-channel full body inspection of spirally welded pipes


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