Press Release
For Immediate Release
Crack Detection/Sizing
New ACFM Technology Has Significant Advantages
(West Chester, PA ) --- New "Amigo" crack detector utilizes recently developed Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) technology for quicker, more reliable monitoring of structural integrity in a wide range of applications.
Originally developed for underwater inspection of oil drilling platforms in the North Sea, ACFM has quickly been recognized as offering significant advantages over conventional magnetic particle inspection (MPI) techniques.
The "Amigo" incorporates this nondestructive, electromagnetic inspection technology in a small, portable package, including sensors,
Originally developed for underwater inspection of oil drilling platforms in the North Sea, ACFM has quickly been recognized as offering significant advantages over conventional magnetic particle inspection (MPI) techniques.
The "Amigo" incorporates this nondestructive, electromagnetic inspection technology in a small, portable package, including sensors,
microprocessor and software, for high-accuracy detection as well as defect length and depth sizing in metallic parts.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ACFM technology is that, unlike MPI, it operates just as reliably on painted or unclean structures, thus eliminating expensive and time-consuming cleaning/paint removal prior to testing. For this reason, ACFM is becoming the preferred inspection technique where reduction of downtime is important, such as amusement parks, processing plants, boilers, cranes, bridges, aircraft, and many others. It is particularly useful in the inspection of welds, especially with ferrous metals.
With the "Amigo" system, a hand-held probe is used to scan the test area, with the results displayed and stored on a standard laptop PC. Because the "Amigo" displays are sensitive to the depth as well as length of a defect, it allows the operator to focus on those defects serious enough to warrant repair. This means a much lower incidence of "false calls."
Probe cables can be as long as 50 meters, very helpful in difficult-access situations. This allows two-person operation, where the person doing the scanning via life-line or other means does not have to be a trained inspector; the inspector remains at the PC to analyze data. For one-person operation in difficult-access areas, the instrument and larger probes are equipped with RUN/STOP and MARKERS buttons.
Along with its reliability, light weight and speedy operation, the "Amigo" also offers: dual frequency options (for use on ferrous vs. non-ferrous metals); 10-hour operation per battery charge; Windows®-based software for ease of operation and compatibility with other Windows® applications; full data storage for back-up, off-line viewing and audit purposes; applicable to a wide range of geometries; and, no toxic or flammable materials.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ACFM technology is that, unlike MPI, it operates just as reliably on painted or unclean structures, thus eliminating expensive and time-consuming cleaning/paint removal prior to testing. For this reason, ACFM is becoming the preferred inspection technique where reduction of downtime is important, such as amusement parks, processing plants, boilers, cranes, bridges, aircraft, and many others. It is particularly useful in the inspection of welds, especially with ferrous metals.
With the "Amigo" system, a hand-held probe is used to scan the test area, with the results displayed and stored on a standard laptop PC. Because the "Amigo" displays are sensitive to the depth as well as length of a defect, it allows the operator to focus on those defects serious enough to warrant repair. This means a much lower incidence of "false calls."
Probe cables can be as long as 50 meters, very helpful in difficult-access situations. This allows two-person operation, where the person doing the scanning via life-line or other means does not have to be a trained inspector; the inspector remains at the PC to analyze data. For one-person operation in difficult-access areas, the instrument and larger probes are equipped with RUN/STOP and MARKERS buttons.
Along with its reliability, light weight and speedy operation, the "Amigo" also offers: dual frequency options (for use on ferrous vs. non-ferrous metals); 10-hour operation per battery charge; Windows®-based software for ease of operation and compatibility with other Windows® applications; full data storage for back-up, off-line viewing and audit purposes; applicable to a wide range of geometries; and, no toxic or flammable materials.
For more information, circle Reader Service # , or contact Mr. Vic Kelly, NDT International, Inc., 711 Creek Rd., West Chester, PA 19382. Phone: (610) 793-1700. Fax: (610) 793-1702. Or ###