Omni NDE collaborates with a wide range of companies and research organizations that are developing and commercializing new, innovative technologies with huge potential in nondestructive testing/inspection/evaluation.
One of these partners is Voidsy GmbH (Wels, Austria), which is supplying a new thermography / Infrared (IR) sensor for Omni NDE’s multi-modal robotic inspection systems. Voidsy's 3D V-ROX photothermal tomography offers faster speed and a more compact setup versus standard thermography.
As explained in a recent CompositesWorld article:
The 3D V-ROX system is physically based on the method of active thermography and consists of excitation units, a detector unit and a computing unit. Due to its low weight (<6 kg) and compact design, the system is easy to use for mobile applications and can be easily automated. The 3D V-ROX system can use standard post-processing methods, but it also enables 3D defect reconstruction through proprietary post-processing. Furthermore, it is possible to present measurement results in standard ultrasonic test (UT) representations such as A-, B- and C-scans. This then provides a fast, noncontact alternative for many material systems and components.
“Most current state-of-the-art (SOA) thermography is flash thermography which requires liquid coolant for cameras,” says Omni NDE CTO, James Bennett. “Voidsy has developed a system that does not require flash lamps but instead can monitor temperature change over time. Thus, the V-ROX uses standard infrared (IR) heat lamps which can be powered by standard outlets or even batteries. In contrast, flash lamps require very high power, using capacitor banks, over short amounts of time.”
Advantages of Voidsy’s system versus SOA flash thermography and IR inspection:
- Compact system with built-in heat lamps can fit on low-payload robot arms
- Quantitatively measure defects
- Insensitive to the inspection environment
- Cheaper (<50% of most current suppliers)
Flash thermography became the standard, says Bennett, because the IR cameras used are very sensitive and can’t image while the heat lamps are on. Thus, the technology evolved to flash the heat lamps and then measure the response. “Voidsy has solved these issues so that its system can measure for longer periods of time and see deeper into the part,” he explains. “Because flash thermography only works over short time periods, it can show areas of possible defects but hasn’t been able to measure their size and precise depth. Also, in most SOA systems, the camera can be at a variable distance, which isn’t measured by the system. However, Voidsy has integrated technology that measures this distance and other variables, enabling accurate calculation of both the defect size and location.”
“Also, because the Voidsy system uses conventional IR cameras and other improvements,” says Bennett, “it can be used out in the open without worrying about other lights, air movement, ventilation systems, etc. In fact, that was one of the main drivers for its development — to make a system that was usable in the field.”
Want to know more about how Voidsy’s 3D V-ROX works on our robot systems?
Get in touch. We’d love to explain and hear more about your inspection needs.