Ultrasonic Weld Inspection SolutionsOlympus has created the AUT PV solutions (automated ultrasonic testing) to provide you with an affordable means to inspect welds according to code. These solutions are portable and can be put to work virtually anywhere. The perfect combination of acquisition unit, scanner, encoder, and software makes the inspection of pressure vessel welds and other welds an easy task. - Fast inspection of small- and large-diameter welds
- 100 % volumetric weld coverage
- Adaptable to butt welds, circumferential welds, long seams, one-sided access configuration, and most common weld profiles
- Inspection of wall thicknesses from 8 mm to 300 mm and part diameters from 100 m to flat
- Digital archiving of inspection data
- Elimination of film archiving
- Portable for in-house and field inspections
- Improved productivity compared to radiography
- Improved probability of detection (POD) compared to radiography
- Combining Different Techniques for Full-Weld Coverage and Improved Efficiency
Phased array pulse-echo technique
The phased array technique uses a mosaic of transducer elements in which the timing of the elements' excitation can be individually controlled to produce a certain desired effect, such as steering the beam axis or focusing the beam. 
Pulse-Echo technique
The pulse echo technique is an ultrasonic test in which discontinuities are detected by the reflected echoes from defects. 
Time-of-flight Diffraction (TOFD) technique
The time-of-flight diffraction technique is an ultrasonic test that relies on the diffraction of ultrasonic beams from the "corners" and "ends" of internal structures (primarily defects) in a component being tested. 
Creeping wave technique
The creeping wave technique is an ultrasonic test in which discontinuities are detected by the return of a creeping wave that tracks the surface of the component being tested. Automated Ultrasonic Testing Versus Radiography TestingUltrasonic technology has been proven very effective for pressure vessel weld inspections and it is easily adapted to common codes such as API and ASME Sec III, V, VIII, CC2235, CC2599, and CC2600. Comparing the Indications 
Analysis of the weld inspection results given by AUT and radiography shows that AUT provides both depth and height information, and is more sensitive to planar-type defects while eliminating radiation hazards. | Measurements Performed by | | ID | Type of Defect | AUT | Radiography | | 1 | Toe crack | Position X, Y, and Z
Length sizing
Height sizing | Position X and Y
Length sizing | | 2 | Centerline crack | Position X, Y, and Z
Length sizing
Height sizing | No detection | | 3 | Porosity | Position X, Y, and Z
Length sizing | Position X and Y
Length sizing | | 4 | Incomplete root penetration | Position X, Y, and Z
Length sizing
Height sizing | Position X and Y
Length sizing |
Benefits of the Olympus PV Solution | PV Solution | Radiography | | Radiation hazard | No | Yes | | Restricted area needed | No | Yes | | Ease of deployment on site | Yes | No | Probability of detection (POD)
(planar defects such as crack and lack of fusion) | Very Good | Poor | | Inspection throughput | Very Good | Good | | Depth sizing capability | High precision | Poor | | Length sizing capability | High precision | Good precision |
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