Alternating Current Field Measurement

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire ACFM 1

Alternating Current Field Measurement Testing for the inspection and monitoring of in-service Armoured Vehicles

Alternating Current Field Measurement project results in 168 man hour reduction per vehicle which incorporates a fleet of 27 vehicles. This equates to a total saving of 4,536 hours across the contract and provides access to permanent inspection data files for the fleet of vehicle models.

Tru-Tec NDT led the proposed inspection regime for the in-service assessment for a fleet of Armoured Vehicles operated and serviced by the Ministry of Defence.

The vehicles requiring inspection undergo prolonged and exceptionally demanding training simulations at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) based in Canada.

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire ACFM 2
Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire ACFM 4

BATUS is the United Kingdom’s live training simulations/exercises where the vehicles are subjected to live firing and movement stresses for periods of over six months which is conducted in demanding temperatures and ground conditions. This is implemented to train staff to maintain, repair and use the specified equipment.

At the end of the BATUS Training regime the vehicles are returned to the Ministry of Defence for repairs and in-house inspection services before being re-released for further simulations.

Previously the non-destructive testing surface methods utilised included Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) and Magnetic Particle Testing (MT). These methods required the full removal of military grade coating which encapsulated the examination areas resulting in additional coating removal processes, and re-application which incurred costly and time-consuming procedures totaling 168 man hours per military vehicles.

The project team approached the private industry to find companies competent in new advanced technologies to reduce costs and time. Tru-Tec NDT certified and competent in advanced NDT methods proposed Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) as the chosen surface inspection method.

The benefits of ACFM include the ability to size the length and depth of surface breaking discontinuities, minimal surface preparations are required and can be applied over coatings to establish surface breaking discontinuities thus reducing the downtime associated with coating removal and reapplication.

Armoured vehicles which are fabricated from wrought material and cast material can demonstrate spurious indications when utilising conventional Eddy Current Testing (ET), however due to the innovative system and probe updates within the ACFM unit, the lift off effect is minimalised when carrying out inspections, resulting in a smoother scan pattern with minimal spurious indications resulting in the reduction of false calls.

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire ACFM 3

ACFM equipment records, stores the inspection data, and scan plan which is beneficial for creating an initial inspection footprint. This footprint can be recalled for assessment with subsequent inspections and to reciprocate the inspection regime whilst on training and live firing situations. This is a useful tool to monitor discontinuities that have been detected but not repaired, allowing the vehicle to be put back into service and defect propagation to be assessed and monitored.

API Moderate Drill Inspection

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire Drill Inspection

Tru-Tec NDT were contracted to perform inspections on 150 metres of drill stems, subs and Kelly’s for a refurbishment program.

The drill elements were decommissioned and pre-cleaned prior to inspections being carried out in accordance with API-RP-7G-2 with the inspection requirements conforming to Annex B Table B.1- Pipe-body Field Inspection Available For Used Drill Pipe (UDP). The acceptance criteria was in accordance with the “Moderate Inspection”.

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire Drill Inspection

API Moderate Drill Inspection Tru-Tec NDT were contracted to perform inspections on 150 metres of drill stems, subs and Kelly’s for a refurbishment program.

In order to comply with the inspection requirements, Tru-Tec NDT undertook the following examination processes:

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire Drill Inspection
  1. OD Gauging Conducted using calipers and Faro laser scanners as per sections 10.2.5
  2. Full Length Wall Monitoring and Ultrasonic Testing Including lamination, corrosion/erosion, and angled inspection carried out on 100% of material as per sections 10.3.6, 10.5, 10.6, 10.10
  3. Magnetic Particle Inspection of Critical Areas, pin threads and Outer Diameter conducted using Axial Current Flow and Threading Conductor to ascertain discontinuities running in anydirection. As per API-RP-7G-2, the Magnetic Particle Inspection was conducted using Fluorescent ink and AC waveform to allow demagnetisation to be conducted readily and easily.
  4. Visual Inspection of bevels, seals, threads, weight code/grade markings and outer and inner diameter conducted externally and internally with the use of borescopes.
  5. Inspection of hard banding Conducted using Magnetic particle inspection and Visual Inspection.
  6. Check for box swell and pin stretch Conducted using rules, calipers and Faro Laser scanners.
  7. Check pin and box OD’s and eccentric wear Conducted using rules, calipers and Faro Laser scanners.
  8. Check pin and box-tong space Conducted using rules and Faro Laser scanners.

The inspection techniques conducted by personnel, resulted in a time efficient and cost-effective turnaround of the components and returned to service promptly.

The clients were also provided with Tru-Tec NDT’s effective reporting systems covering all areas of inspection undertaken to incorporate 3D imaging, with colour coding schemes throughout areas with loss of material, discontinuities and wear.

Magnetic Particle Inspection

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire Magnetic Particle Inspection

Magnetic Particle Inspection is the traditional non-destructive testing method used for detecting surface breaking discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. When the appropriate technique is applied, inspections will assure all parties concerned of a compliant component.

The technique applied is paramount for the detection and subsequent assurance of an acceptable component surface, which is free from surface breaking defects and meets the customer requirements and referenced acceptance standards.

The application of inappropriate techniques can result in defective components feeding into to the manufacturing process, for example the incorrect application of the wet continuous technique or excessive residual magnetism remaining in components from the use of electromagnetic yokes are just a few of the potential risks when performing inspections which would diminish the effectiveness of the inspections.

Tru-Tec NDT procedures comply with the recognized technique for each component and standards referenced which assures customers that the approved magnetic particle inspection technique has been adhered too. This is coupled with a right first time attitude, which has resulted in compliant inspections with reduced downtimes and has also given customers the confidence to contract ongoing services to Tru-Tec NDT.

 

With the provision of innovative inspections services for sub-sea and downhole components, Tru-Tec NDT has established itself as a leading provider for magnetic particle inspection requirements of heavy forged components. These inspections are demanding and require wet continuous fluorescent magnetic particle inspection in accordance with API 6A code and ASTM international standards.

Tru-Tec NDT’s test house has a comprehensive range of plant and equipment allowing inspection to be conducted in accordance with all international standards. The equipment selection for each component is determined by the industry sector code, customer specification and/ or the referenced international standard.

Our test house includes:

  • 10 x 10 metres inspection area, meeting all standard specific lux levels suitable for fluorescent and colour contrast inspection techniques.
  • Bench units capable of producing of AC, DC and HWDC waveforms, in compliance with European and American standards.
  • Power Packs with bespoke coils and clamps for irregular shapes and lengths.
  • Our 1500mm x 400mm swinging field bench unit is a proven winner with increased outputs and reduction inspection times of up to 50% compared to traditional magnetic particle inspection benches. The swinging field bench also features an automatic demagnetization setting ensuring all components inspected are reduced to 0Gauss post-inspection.

Tru-Tec NDT developed a bespoke multidirectional magnetic particle inspection technique used extensively in the production of the Merlin Connector for Tension Leg platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The manufacturing process includes witnessing by an inspection authority third party inspector, ensuring the end user of an acceptable component in accordance with the specific level III approved procedure produced and authorised by Tru-Tec NDT.

The electromagnetic yoke technique, used before introduction of this technique lead to delays in production namely welding at site. Surface breaking defects in the weld preparation zone had not been detected and reported. A Root cause analysis report determined the areas concerned would be extremely difficult to perform the wet continuous fluorescent technique with a hand held yoke resulting in missed defects.

Due to the component length to diameter ratio exceeding the standard requirements eliminated the use of the indirect magnetisation coil/cable wrap technique.

Tru-Tec NDT designed a multidirectional direct magnetization technique, using bespoke purpose built clamps and powerpacks which allowed for the inspection of the outer diameter and internal diameter to be conducted simultaneously . To verify the technique developed was fit for purpose, a procedure and technique sheet was implemented to take test samples replicating the components with known defective areas.

Our technicians carried out a replica examination and determined the required field strength was readily achieved across the entire sample surface and discontinuities running across multiple planes could be detected. It was also ascertained that the new technique also reduced the inspection time by 25%.

Covid-19 Guidance

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire Covid-19

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tru-Tec NDT management in consultation with Health & Safety advisors, have produced safe working procedures in order to respond to customers request for technical services on-site and at our test house facility.

Tru-Tec NDT provides Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) services to the manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, renewable energy, water treatment and leisure industries, servicing manufactured or in-service products nationwide, many

Following the government guidelines for the continued operation of in-house and on-site activities the management team have established and implemented the following employee guidelines in order to safeguard clients and Tru-Tec NDT employees.

  • Businesses and workplaces should make every possible effort to enable working from home as a first option. Where working from home is not possible, workplaces should make every effort to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government. – Tru-Tec NDT have closed their canteen facilities, in-house examination have been limited to one technician per test house inspection booth, to ensure the two metre safe distance requirement is met. On-site work is continuing, technicians will only attend sites where procedures have been implemented to address the government guidelines. Specific procedures can be written for customers who require additional confidence for safe working activities.
  • Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full in relation to a particular activity, businesses should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate, and, if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission between their staff. – All technicians are supplied disposable gloves, sanitisers, overalls and personnel P3 face masks with replaceable cartridges.
  • Staff may be feeling anxious about coming to work and also about impacts on livelihood. Workplaces should ensure staff are fully briefed and appropriately supported at this time – revised toolbox talks to include COVID 19 concerns and address employees questions.
  • Employees should be reminded to wash their hands for 20 seconds more frequently and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues – daily tool box talks incorporate safe working methods and COVID-19 related safety guidelines.

The health and safety of all personnel is paramount, Tru-Tec NDT continues to provide safe working environments for all personnel and will actively support all customers during this pandemic.

Yours Faithfully

Joshua Lomax

Tru-Tec-NDT Professional Conventional and Advanced Non Destructive Testing Solutions Inspections South Yorkshire Covid-19

Managing Director

Dated:04/03/2020