Proterial » HPMS is a Go-To NDT Supplier

HPMS is a Go-To NDT Supplier

Learn Why PCA is a Go-To NDT Supplier

When a company needs to test a product for safety and quality, but can’t damage the item at all, a form of analysis called Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is used. Over the last handful of years, Proterial Cable America High Performance Medical Solutions (PCA-HPMS) has earned our place as a leading interconnect cable and assembly supplier to companies that perform NDT.

“The testing [NDT companies perform] is similar to medical ultrasound, but for industrial applications,” PCA-HPMS Sales Representative Mike Levesque says.

So how important is PCA to the NDT process?

“A typical NDT system consists of a sensor end, cable interconnect, and detector unit. PCA provides the interconnect assembly that allows the probe to transmit information to the scanner which then provides the user with the information needed to make the decision around the product parameter under evaluation,” Levesque says. “Without an interconnect that can function dependably – even in rugged environments like those found in oil & gas, power, mining, and aerospace to name only a few- the entire NDT system would be rendered inoperable, or perhaps worse, unreliable.”

PCA-HPMS has become a trusted and essential partner for NDT companies, offering reliable interconnect solutions that work smoothly, every time, in the challenging medical industry.

What is Nondestructive Testing?

NDT is a profession that combines quality assurance and materials science. During NDT, a professional uses methods including ultrasonic testing or radiographic testing to look to find cracks, holes or any other misassembled aspects of a material, component or assembly.

NDT is important in proving the reliability and safety of components. NDT methods also keep down production costs and helps establish a uniform quality level.

While PCA supplies parts for NDT, our team doesn’t perform the testing itself.

NDT Methods

There are several ways to go about performing nondestructive testing. Different methods are used depending on what exactly is being tested. Considerations like if the item is magnetic, unusual in shape or metal determine what specific testing is done. Here are many types of nondestructive testing:

Acoustic Emission Testing – This method involves applying an abrupt force or temperature change so sensors can read small waves on the part’s surface in order to find cracks or flaws.

Electromagnetic Testing – This method is when an electric current or magnetic field is applied to a conductive part and analyzing the results

Ground Penetrating Radar – This is a method that involves sending electromagnetic pulses into non-metal materials to record the returning signals

Guided Wave – This method is when a transducer ring sends and receives ultrasonic waves to pipes for analysis to check a cross sectional area for changes in pipe stiffness. Unfortunately, it cannot differentiate between internal and external flaws.

Thermal/Infrared Testing – This method reads the heat emitted by an object to determine its infrared radiation levels.

Laser Testing – This method uses laser light to create images of surface and subsurface defects in materials ranging from foam insulation to steel.

Leak Testing – This method usings multiple techniques to detect leaks. Bubble testing involves looking for gas leaks via bubbles. Pressure change testing includes observing pressure loss in a closed system. Halogen Diode Testing releases a “tracer” gas and uses a “sniffer” to determine leaks. Mass Spectrometer testing involves analyzing air samples in vacuum chambers for helium leaks.

Magnetic Flux Leakage – This method, used for pipe and tube inspection, detects flaws by checking magnetic field changes in iron-based metals.

Magnetic Particle Testing – This method creates a magnetic field and applies fine magnetic particles to the part’s surface, which gather at flaws in the surface or near-surface of iron-based materials.

Microwave Testing – This method uses microwave technology, similar to radar, to inspect items like wind turbine blades and vessel hulls.

Neutron Radiographic Testing – This method works like an X-ray but uses neutrons to inspect materials. Neutrons are absorbed by hydrogen-rich materials like water or plastics, so flaws can be identified where the material composition differs.

Liquid Penetrant Testing – This method involves pouring a liquid onto a part’s surface, where it seeps into cracks. After removing the excess liquid, the trapped liquid flows back out, indicating the flaws.

Radiographic Testing – This method exposes an object to radiation, which passes through and is recorded on the opposite side. Depending on the object’s density, either X-rays or gamma radiation can be used.

Ultrasonic Testing – This method is similar to sonar, ultra-high frequency sound is introduced to a part and reflects when it hits a material with a different density and is then displayed visually.

Vibration Analysis – This method records vibrations from operating machinery to determine when maintenance is needed.

Visual Testing – This method involves visually inspecting the surface of an object for any missing manufacturing steps. It is usually done before other testing methods.

Industries Where NDT is Essential

NDT is essential in many different industries. The ability to test different materials and components without needing to dismantle or damage them makes NDT crucial to manufacturing. Here are examples of some industries using NDT:

Medical Devices. Being able to test sensitive and carefully constructed products without taking them apart is a major advantage for efficiency and safety.
Aerospace. Regulatory standards for aerospace projects are necessarily very strict and NDT allows for safety to be inspected without incurring damage.
Automotive. Certain engine parts and other components of motor vehicles need to be inspected so cars can be both efficient and safe.
Oil and Gas. Pipelines and machinery need inspections to make sure failures and leaks don’t lead to disaster.

How PCA Can Help You With Your NDT Needs

So why has PCA-HPMS been able to move to the forefront of the NDT supplier industry? Levesque says the answer is pretty simple–our products are high quality and reliable, and we get them to the customer quickly.

“We have a high quality product that our customers can rely on. We offer a competitive price and no one beats us on response time,” he says.

In short, companies need solidly constructed and consistently reliable parts and assemblies to be able to perform nondestructive testing. That’s where PCA-HPMS comes in.

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