LEADERSHIP
|
SCOPE
FROM THE WAY-
BACK MACHINE
The following excerpt was taken from an article titled “A Look Ahead at
Nondestructive Testing,” authored by NDT giant Robert C. McMaster and
published in Materials Evaluation in April 1986:
Past experience has shown that more than one type of nonde-
structive test may be needed to detect various types and loca-
tions of defects and to provide assurance of quality based upon
confirming or additive evidence obtained from these different
test indications. A major problem arises when the test records
produced by different test methods are not compatible. Today,
many human inspectors have the training and experience
needed to provide such correlations between X-ray, ultrasonic,
magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, eddy current, and other
commonly used types of tests. Robotic or computer-controlled
nondestructive test systems will typically require consistent
forms of test records, possibly bitmapped graphic images
which can be enlarged, reduced, rotated, and rectified to fit
new coordinate systems. Fortunately, these techniques have
been well developed for use in aerial mapping of the Earth’s
surface and in “Landsat” images recorded by satellites in space.
Three-dimensional analyses of defect locations, shapes, sizes,
and planes of view feasible with computer graphics today offer
examples of the programs and techniques required. Contrast
enhancement, as well as color identifications of types or severity
of defects (similar to those widely broadcast in television
weather shows today), can also be used for defect identifica-
tion, locations, shapes, and analyses of the severity of hazards
they could present in service. Coincidence of defect indications
obtained from different types of tests, or from tests made on the
same test objects at different points during manufacture, or at
different times during service, or whenever test evaluations are
required for legal or other purposes, could be demonstrated
by sequences of such rectified images (just as the movements
of air masses, fronts, and jet streams are shown on television
nationwide as time-lapse maps of the weather movements over
the Earth’s surface). Even when the test object moves about on
the Earth’s surface, at sea, in the air, or in outer space, its defect
images could still be correlated after transmission of test data
to earth stations at fixed locations. For critical applications, such
images could be reproduced at highly qualified analysis facili-
ties, such as national or international standards laboratories. The
system reliability attainable by these means could far exceed that
obtainable today from repeated inspections by certified human
operators.
NEAL J. COUTURE, CAE
ASNT CEO
NCOUTURE@ASNT.ORG
“We are often
reminded
that those
organizations and
individuals who
do not know their
own history are
forced to live it
again.”
—ROBERT C. MCMASTER
J U L Y 2 0 2 4 • M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N 65
|
SCOPE
FROM THE WAY-
BACK MACHINE
The following excerpt was taken from an article titled “A Look Ahead at
Nondestructive Testing,” authored by NDT giant Robert C. McMaster and
published in Materials Evaluation in April 1986:
Past experience has shown that more than one type of nonde-
structive test may be needed to detect various types and loca-
tions of defects and to provide assurance of quality based upon
confirming or additive evidence obtained from these different
test indications. A major problem arises when the test records
produced by different test methods are not compatible. Today,
many human inspectors have the training and experience
needed to provide such correlations between X-ray, ultrasonic,
magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, eddy current, and other
commonly used types of tests. Robotic or computer-controlled
nondestructive test systems will typically require consistent
forms of test records, possibly bitmapped graphic images
which can be enlarged, reduced, rotated, and rectified to fit
new coordinate systems. Fortunately, these techniques have
been well developed for use in aerial mapping of the Earth’s
surface and in “Landsat” images recorded by satellites in space.
Three-dimensional analyses of defect locations, shapes, sizes,
and planes of view feasible with computer graphics today offer
examples of the programs and techniques required. Contrast
enhancement, as well as color identifications of types or severity
of defects (similar to those widely broadcast in television
weather shows today), can also be used for defect identifica-
tion, locations, shapes, and analyses of the severity of hazards
they could present in service. Coincidence of defect indications
obtained from different types of tests, or from tests made on the
same test objects at different points during manufacture, or at
different times during service, or whenever test evaluations are
required for legal or other purposes, could be demonstrated
by sequences of such rectified images (just as the movements
of air masses, fronts, and jet streams are shown on television
nationwide as time-lapse maps of the weather movements over
the Earth’s surface). Even when the test object moves about on
the Earth’s surface, at sea, in the air, or in outer space, its defect
images could still be correlated after transmission of test data
to earth stations at fixed locations. For critical applications, such
images could be reproduced at highly qualified analysis facili-
ties, such as national or international standards laboratories. The
system reliability attainable by these means could far exceed that
obtainable today from repeated inspections by certified human
operators.
NEAL J. COUTURE, CAE
ASNT CEO
NCOUTURE@ASNT.ORG
“We are often
reminded
that those
organizations and
individuals who
do not know their
own history are
forced to live it
again.”
—ROBERT C. MCMASTER
J U L Y 2 0 2 4 • M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N 65
