Alternating Current Field Measurement Inspection

 Tru-Tec NDT Supplies advanced surface Techniques, led and proved by our in-house level 3 Technicians. This enables us to inspect complex components decisively. 

 Tru-Tec NDT provides comprehensive structural surveys and inspections to comply with statutory requirements. Bridge Inspections are an integral process for the effective management of bridges as stipulated in the code of practice for the management of highway structures. 

 Tru-Tec NDT provides inspections and surveys for: 

  • Arch Bridges 
  • Truss Bridges 
  • Cantilever Bridges 
  • Tied arch Bridges 
  • Suspension Bridges 
  • Cabled Stayed Bridges 

 The scope of inspection for each structure varies, bespoke inspection solutions which are systematically planned and applied by our ISO 9712 & ASNT Level 3 services department ensure the methods applied are code compliant, effective and efficient. 

Tru-Tec NDT has been conducting Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) on a multitude of steel structured bridges spanning the M1 and the A50 to ensure the structures are code compliant and ready for handover to Highways England, ensuring a hassle-free transition. 

These inspections have been conducted over dayshifts and nightshifts ensuring all the fillet & butt welds are free from any in-service defects, and that the supporting stiffeners are free from any detrimental defects.

The use of the ACFM Method has allowed our inspectors to conduct the examinations through the structure’s coatings, removing time-consuming prep work which includes grinding the surface back to bare metal as would be required for conventional Magnetic Particle inspection and the need to re-coat the structure post examination. 

This method has saved numerous road closures and created a time and cost-effective method for the inspection of bridges, allowing the roads to run freely above and beneath the structures. 

Demagnetization of Ferromagnetic Components

Tru-Tec NDT Supplies demagnetization services for all components with residual magnetism.

Tru-Tec NDT offers a comprehensive demagnetization service. With a plethora of Magnetic particle equipment, we can demagnetize the largest of components subjected to residual magnetism.

Tru-Tec NDT’s AC Swinging field bench unit allows the demagnetization of all components inspected for components up to 1 metre long, this bench unit will demagnetize after all inspection process ensuring any items are delivered back with 0 Gauss.

Alongside the AC Swinging field bench unit, our recently purchased 3 meters, 8000-amp DC/AC & HWDC bench unit with the independent headstock and encircling coils can be implemented to demagnetize items up to 3 meters long ensuring components that have any residual magnetism can be returned to 0 Gauss.

Tru-Tec NDT also operates 3 independent power packs up to 8000 amps, with the option to demagnetize with DC/AC & HWDC with specific demagnetization settings, we can cable wrap components, clamp and saturate the largest and longest of components, be it large castings, ingots, or forged items that have been manoeuvred using permanent lifting magnets.

With access to multiple demagnetization techniques and equipment, Tru-Tec NDT can remove all residual magnetism to prevent any further issues within the manufacturing stage, such as the magnetization of machine tooling, measurement devices and client rejections.

Magnetic Particle Inspection

Tru-Tec NDT Supplies advanced Magnetic Particle Techniques, led and proved by our in-house level 3 Technicians. This enables us to inspect complex components decisively.

Tru-Tec Non-Destructive testing was approached by a leading foundry to assist with the inspection of cast products for the gas & oil industry.

Tru-Tec NDT’s Level 3 technicians devised a leech technique utilising Half-Wave Rectified Current that was validated and proven to be able to detect surface breaking and slightly sub-surface defects within the castings, ultimately providing a much more suitable and accurate inspection technique in comparison to conventional Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) techniques.

The application of the leech technique provided a much more thorough examination than the conventional yoke technique, especially due to the complex configurations of the castings provided.

When compared to the prod technique, the leech technique also provided no arc strikes which can be detrimental to the components being tested, reducing the need to re-examine arc strikes. Due to the flexibility and nimbleness of the leeches, it allowed our technicians to produce circular magnetism within two perpendicular directions.

This technique proved to be successful in finding tears in the material, which were then subsequently weld repaired, and re-tested to ensure conformance to the specification.

This resulted in significant cost savings for the client, as subsurface and surface breaking tears were detected on the initial magnetic particle inspection prior to machining.

As a leading provider of Magnetic Particle Inspection, Tru-Tec NDT can adapt and overcome any inspection techniques by combining our level 3 services with our fully customized Magnetic Particle Booth.

  • 10m x 10m MPI Dark Room

  • Bench Units with capacity up to 3M Long (AC/DC/ HWDC)

  • Powerpacks (AC/DC/HWDC) with flexible coils, prods, clamps & leeches

  • Handheld Electromagnetic Yokes

  • Level 3 Services (Procedure writing, review and approval, 3rd party witnessing, consultancy)

  • Component demagnetization services

Our continuous investment in our facilities allows Tru-Tec NDT to provide a steadfast turnaround on all components.

Bridging the gap to end the shortages in NDT personnel

Tru-Tec NDT is investing in the future of Non-destructive testing. With an advanced approach to bridging the gap of a shortage in technicians throughout the NDT sector, we aim to bring, grow and train our apprentices into advanced technicians. Working alongside Lavender International, all our apprentices will be working closely with Lavender International tutors to gain knowledge and experience within their chosen methods to gain certification within their level 3 NDT Engineering technician apprenticeship certification scheme.

This apprenticeship scheme will give our apprentices an in-depth knowledge towards:

  • Managing projects and the co-ordination and supervision of NDT operators

  • Ability to apply inspection techniques in three methods.

  • Selecting appropriate methods of inspection and understanding their limitations

  • Conducting inspection audits, evaluating NDT data reports, and applying solutions to engineering problems

  • Following written procedures and implementing quality control and assurance of NDT systems. – Gaining ISO 9712 Level 2 certification in 3 NDT Methods.
Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire ACFM 4

In conjunction with working with Lavender International tutors the apprentices spend their days working alongside Tru-Tec NDT’S Level 3 technicians putting their theoretical knowledge into practical and technical applications.

Director Joshua Lomax states: “This apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic and strategic plan to help bring new personnel into a sector that has severe personnel shortages. As the NDT industry grows, and advances in equipment and methods continue, this is a great way to teach people from the very start of their career and develop each apprentice in a timely manner ensuring all aspects of our testing methods have been covered. Working alongside our in-house level 3 technicians means our apprentices are learning from the best within the industry and it leaves no stone unturned in our apprentices’ training, theory and practical applications. We look forward to expanding our apprentice team and bringing on board more apprentices”.