Development and demonstration of an automated system for limited access weld inspection by using infrared active thermography

• Weld inspection for surface breaking defects detection has been traditionally performed by using NDT methods such as Fluorescent PenetrantInspection (FPI), Visual Inspection (VI) or Eddy Currents (EC). All those well known techniques have as common drawback the need of skilled operator intervention in order to analyse obtained results. In the specific case of inspection of welds with limited access, the application of those traditional methods is even more complex, thus increasing inspection time and reducing the defect detection capability. Therefore, the development of a fully automated non-contact method overcoming these limitations is desired. Active thermography (IRT) represents one of the most promising techniques for replacing traditional techniques for surface breaking defect detection in welds.This technique makes use of an excitation source in order to heat the sample undertest and an infrared camera for thermal evolution monitoring. With the combination of these excitation-monitoring techniques, heterogeneities in the heat flow caused bysurface breaking cracks can be detected. In this work, a robotic solution was developed and demonstrated for the inspection of welds with real cracks in a representative environment with limited access. The system consists of a continuous laser-line excitation source together with a FLIR SC 655 micro bolometer thermographic camera. In order to access limited areas, two different aluminium polished mirrors have been used for bothinfrared radiation monitoring and laser excitation respectively. The inspection results, analysis and comparison with traditional methods will be shown.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Rymd- och flygteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Aerospace Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Weldning

automated systems

Production Technology

Produktionsteknik

Manufacturing and materials engineering

Produktions- och materialteknik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)