AN AUTOMATED ULTRASONIC NDT SCANNER EMPLOYING ADVANCED AIR-COUPLED 1-3 CONNECTIVITY COMPOSITE TRANSDUCERS

A new air-coupled ultrasonic NDT scanning system is described. The sca nner operates in real time, is non-contact and requires access to only one side of the test-piece. High-resolution images of internal defect s in almost any type of metallic or non-metallic material can be produ ced providing a clear and rapid indication of structural integrity. No signal averaging or conditioning of any kind is required and images a re constructed at a rate which is limited only by the speed at which t he mechanical scanner can operate. The technology is considered to rep resent significant advantages for the rapid and reliable inspection of large component parts.