INTRODUCTION

Phased array technology is the ability to modify electronically the acoustic probe characteristics. Probe modifications are performed by introducing time shifts in the signals sent to and received from individual elements of an array probe. Any ultrasonic techniques for flaw detection and sizing can be applied using phased-array probes

CONTENT

A. TRAINING, EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION LEVEL 2

• Principles of phased array probes

  Array of piezo-electric elements; Delays; Control of beam shape and angle; Laws; Fundamental principles of probe performance and design.

• Principles of inspection sensitivity

  Reference reflectors; Sensitivity to mis-aligned defects

• Phased Array Instrument

  Control panel including input and output sockets; Block diagram of internal circuit modules

• Scanning with phased array probes

  Swept beams; Linear scans; Fixed beam scans; Line scans – raster scans

• Calibration and checks

  Checking probe elements; Beam angles and offsets/index point; Beam shape

• Software for data collection and data analysis

  File structure; Basic interface and windows options or panes; Status bar; Setup parameters; Inspection sequence – tabs: sequence and encoder settings; UT settings – tabs: acquisition, probe, configuration, etc. ; Data acquisition controls and protocol; Analysis mode

• Principles of data analysis

Review of data analysis for conventional ultrasonic inspection image formats and specific application to ultrasonic phased arrays

• Software familiarity

  Volumetric merge options; Displays and display types  –  options available to customise these including echo-dynamic; patterns B, C, D scan formats and merged volumetric views; Soft gain and thresholds including gating and DAC Curves; Overlays – creating and importing/manipulating; Cursors and gates; Reporting and data file conversions available; Saving files

• Use of software tools for defect detection and sizing
• Data analysis
• Procedures for verification of flaw existence and position
• Reporting

Duration of training course : 11 training days + 1 examination days (PCN or CSWIP examination)
Fees per person: 4500 USD

B. TRAINING, EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION LEVEL 3

• Principles of phased array probes

  Probe parameters: elements, pitch, frequency, focussing, focal range, depth of field, limitation of steering; Grating Lobes location of and predictions

• Principles of inspection sensitivity – advantages and limitations

  Grain interference; Specific reference block designs – illustrations and uses of

• Phased Array Instrument

  Familiarity with common branded systems – overview

• Scanning with phased array probes

  Phased array TOFD – principles of

• Calibration and checks

  Squint; Effect of wedges; Acoustic properties of wedge materials that affect phased arrays

• Procedure writing

  Inspection design, restrictions, array sizes, use of different phased array techniques, complementary ultrasonic applications, resolution, sensitivity, sizing, reporting, archiving data, requirements for data analysis, personnel requirements.

• Methods of simulating phased array inspection
• Basic knowledge of specialised applications

  Turbine disk and blade root inspections, Tube inspections, Pipeline applications, Bar testing, Rail axle testing, Complex geometry applications and restrictions.

Duration of training course : 11 training days + 1 examination days
Fees per person: 5000 USD
Fees per person certification: 140 USD