Contents
  • Key Features
  • Specifications
  • PC Specifications
  • Imaging Digital Flaw Detector
  • Operation Modes
  • Position Sensor
  • Standard Array Interface
  • Array Interface options
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  • United States, Canada, & Mexico Distributor
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    FlawInspecta ®

    FlawInspecta ®

     

    High speed ultrasonic array imaging system - contains all the real-time B-scan capabilities of DSL's original Flaw Imager but now with C-scanning capabilities. The imager is a Ruggedized laptop operating under Windows® for easy transfer of images to other applications, or via the Internet to remote locations. It works with any of DSL's extended selection of integrated arrays and so is suited for applications ranging from rapid large area flaw detection to high-speed, low-cost corrosion mapping with 100% coverage.

    The data acquisition is fast enough to allow interactive B-scan imaging or very rapid C-scanning - typically 40,000mm2/s (64in2/s) for 1mm pixels - for manual coverage of large areas. The system is also able to perform Full Waveform Capture where the full A-scan (RF or rectified) is acquired and stored for every point on the inspection surface. This volumetric representation offers the ultimate in data acquisition for archiving and offline review yet is achieved at similar data rates.

    DSL's Smart Arrays can be used with a wide range of conventional equipment such as flaw detectors but their full capability is not realized unless used with a real-time imaging system such as the FlawInspecta ®. The latest FlawInspecta ® uses proprietary FIRE-technology (Flaw Imaging and Reconstruction Engine as has been reported in several publications) to give blistering performance for manual imaging and mapping with Full Waveform Capture (FWC) - typically over 1m2 per minute for 1mm pixels. This FIRE-technology has now been integrated into other proprietary ultrasound mapping systems and provides an easy upgrade path to high performance acquisition for users of these systems.

    The ANDSCAN® system - developed by QinetiQ Ltd. and marketed by NDT Solutions Inc. - has evolved over the years from a simple mapping system into a flexible acquisition and analysis package that will work on large area specimens with complex interface geometries. Diagnostic Sonar's FIRE-technology has now been integrated into ANDSCAN® to enable very rapid Full Waveform Capture with DSL's wide range of arrays. The analysis package has also been extended to work with the FWC 3-dimensional data set including spectral analysis.

     

     

     

    PDF file FlawInspecta features document (313KB)

    Thin aluminum panel scan

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      Key Features:
    • Multi-mode

      A-scans, full-waveform B-scans and C-scans acquired and displayed in real-time
       
    • Multiple applications

      Area flaw detection (aerospace, weld inspection, etc)
      Area mapping (e.g. corrosion inspection)
      Buried-layer crack detection using angled-beam heads
       
    • Flexible

      Use with arrays for real-time A, B and C-scans
      Use arrays with ANDSCAN® for rapid seamless large area mapping
       
    • Real-time B-scans

      Rates suitable for interactive fast search (typically over 100Hz)
      Ideal for inspecting complex cross-sections
       
    • C-scans

      Simultaneous Amplitude and Time-of-Flight displays in real-time
      Re-calculate using different gates from full-waveform data
       
    • Rapid area coverage (19.4 sq. ft/min)

      Full-waveform capture at up to 1.8m_/min for 1mm_ pixels (19.4sq.ft/min)
       
    • High performance

      State of the art Digital Flaw Detector with imaging capability
       
    • User friendly

      Windows XP™ operation for familiar “look-and-feel” and for
      easy transfer of data and setups into reports and archiving
       
    • Small, light and robust

      Ruggedized PC
       
    • Flexible power source

      100-250VAC (24V DC Power Supply Optional)
       
    • Post Processing Option

      Comprehensive full-waveform analysis package
       
    • Seamless Large Area

      Rapid full waveform acquisition over large areas without
      Mapping stitching using the ANDSCAN® System
       

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    Specifications:

    PC

    Processor: Intel Pentium 4, 2.8GHz

    (PC Specifications are subject to market availabilities)

    Display: 14-inch LCD (1024x768) (Optional 15.4" TFT LCD)

    Memory: 512MB DDR RAM (Upgradeable to 1 GB)

    Hard Disk Drive: 80GB EIDE Hard Disk (Upgradeable to 120GB)

    2 USB 2.0 Ports

    Floppy Drive: 1 x 3.5in floppy drive

    CDROM drive: Internal EIDE CD RW Drive (Option of DVD RW Drive)

    Keyboard/Mouse: 108 Key Keyboard with touch pad mouse

    Network: RJ-45 connector

    Operating System: Windows XP

    16MB AGP Video Card

    Motherboard: ATX with LAN and Built-in Amplified Speakers

    Dimensions: 445mm x 333mm x 245mm. Weight 15.5kgs

    Chassis: Flame retardant ABS plastic with internal aluminum alloy chassis. 15g for shock and 1.25g @ 10-100Hz for vibration.

    Environmental (operating): 0ºC-50ºC 10% to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing)

    Complies to: CE & FCC Class B, CCC

    Carrying Case: Padded case with wheels is included with the PC

    Transit Case: Ruggedized transit case is available as an optional extra

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    Imaging Digital Flaw Detector

    • Pulser: 0-250V pulser with spike/square capability – programmable transmit damping values of 1000, 292, 117, 97, 72, 66, 56 & 53 ohms and selectable between pulse-echo (single probe) and pitch-catch (dual probe) modes.
    • Receiver: low-noise wide-band receiver with switchable 50ohm impedance – signal handling of up to +/-24V before saturation.
    • DAC: 90dB gain range – programmable control of: initial gain; delay until gain increase; rate of gain increase; maximum gain.
    • Filters: Low-pass filter values of 1MHz, 2.25MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz & Off; band-pass filter values of 0.5MHz, 1MHz, 2.25MHz, 5MHz, 7.5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz & Off; high-pass filter values of 1MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz & Off.
    • Rectifier Modes: RF, half-wave +ve, half-wave –ve and full-wave (linear) – the linear rectified modes have 4 selectable post-rectification filters.
    • Display range: standard controls of display range, display delay and material velocity.
    • Gate: control over start and width – outputs are the maximum value within gate and the time-of-flight (from start of gate) to this maximum value.
    • Sampling: 8bit A/D conversion into 16MB Image store

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    Operation Modes

    A-scan: Operation and display is as for standard digital flaw detectors and this is the usual method for setting up the gate.

    Real-time B-scans: A B-scan image can be built up from a sequence of A-scans while the beam is scanned through the material under investigation. Arrays offer very rapid electronic scanning and so the cross-sectional images are shown as real-time B-scans, allowing the operator to respond to the on-screen data and hence search a large area very rapidly. The resolution of the B-scan is dependent on the array geometry, frequency and electronic signal processing (aperture and focusing). The user is able to adjust the beam start and finish points and the step size so as to optimize the coverage and frame rate. The B-scan display update rate depends on ultrasonic factors such as the number of beams scanned and the PRF (up to 30kHz) but this may be constrained by the material properties. Frame rates of over 100Hz are typical with 64 to 128 beams.

    Real-time C-scans: A C-scan map of sub-surface structures is made by recording the value of a parameter (such as peak echo or time-of-flight) as an image pixel for each point on the surface. An array can be translated across the surface, at a right-angle to the electronic scan, to provide a very rapid C-scan map. The C-scan resolution and maximum sweep speed are dependent on the array type and the material properties. However, a typical set-up of a 64 mm long array producing simultaneous C-scan images (peak amplitude and time-of-flight) with 1mm x 1mm pixel resolution can be translated at around 110mm/s. Thus a 1m long x 64mm wide swathe can be acquired in less than 10s.

    C-scan stitching: Stitching of adjacent C-scan sweeps into large area matrix.

    Freeze mode: Images can be saved in standard formats (BMP, TIFF, JPEG and PNG) along with the acquisition set-up for archiving or for integrating into reports. Images can also be recalled for reviewing and/or performing measurements. Full-waveform data can be saved in the industry standard AVI format for easy review in most media players.

    Seamless large area mapping: The FIRE-technology that provides the capability for real-time B-scan imaging can now be used to provide rapid full-waveform acquisition over large areas using the ANDSCAN® system.

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    Position Sensor

    Trolley: Rigid axle trolley with attachment for array head assembly with optical encoder for sensing wheel position – 2 buttons allowing local control of modes during scanning. Optional sprung cable-extension transducer.

    Detector interface: Interface connector on ruggedized laptop (8 pin DIN + shield) for optical encoder and buttons.

    Scanning jigs: A variety of scanning jigs are available for assisting with rapid coverage of large areas and generating stitched images – contact DSL for details.

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    Standard Array Interface

    MLZ generic array interface: Most piezo-composite and piezo-ceramic arrays can be used with the Flaw Imager by means of the internal MLZ array interface unit. This has a 156-way Zero-Insertion Force (ZIF) connector for handling arrays with up to 128 elements - all Flaw Imager Mk1 probes can be used with this MLZ interface.

    Array Interface options

    IMX multiplexed arrays: The IMX multiplexer is an integrated controller for interfacing small linear arrays to Flaw Detectors and Imagers. A single multi-way cable between the 24W7 connector on the PC and the IMX is all that is needed to send the digital beam number to the array and to route the RF signal back to the Imaging Digital Flaw Detector.

    MLA integrated arrays: These are a part of a family of wideband, highly integrated arrays, which includes pulser-receivers for each element, an integrated beamformer and an overall controller. They have a single flying lead, with 24W7 plug, which connects direct to the array interface in the PC for imaging.
     

    Notes:
    1. Diagnostic Sonar reserves the right to modify or change the specifications of any of its products without notice and without incurring any responsibility for modifying previously manufactured products.

    2. ANDSCAN® is a registered trademark of QinetiQ Ltd.

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    Demo Movie Clips:

    QuickTime required:

    Harrier Scans

    Clip 1  5.7MB

    Clip 2  10.3MB

    Clip 3  2.9MB

    Clip 4  8.3MB

     
     
     
     

    PDF file IMX featuresDocument (92KB)

    PDF file MLA features document (94KB) 

       
       
     
     

     

     

    NDT Solutions, Inc. (NDTS)
    150 W. First St.
    NDTS Suite

    New Richmond, WI 54017

    Phone: (715) 246-0433

    Fax: (715) 246-0466