| ABSTRACT: | LATEST HANDHELD ULTRASOUND CAMERA DEVELOPMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL PARTS
B. Lasser, M. Lasser, J. Gurney, J. Kula, D. Rich
Imperium, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Ultrasound is arguably the most effective nondestructive testing method for the inspection of subsurface
faults. However, hand scanning of parts is subject to inspector error and fatigue and automated point-by-
point is extremely time consuming. We are reporting on the results of the use of a novel ultrasound camera
for the rapid inspection of industrial structures in both production and in-service settings. This camera
technology can be used for a variety of materials of different sizes and geometries. Using this system,
subsurface delaminations, voids, corrosion, cracks and other faults can be seen with high resolution and
quantified immediately. This technique results in scans that can be done several times faster than
conventional point-by-point or hand scanning. A non-specialized technician can easily understand the
resulting imagery. Each frame, presented at TV rates, presents a C-scan image over an area. Image
processing performs real time video enhancement such as brightness, contrast, noise reduction, large
montage images, etc. The ultrasound system is lens-based and utilizes a two-dimensional imaging 120x120
element array. The array is similar to arrays used in standard video camcorders. However, the new imaging
array is sensitive to ultrasound, not light. We will present recent data from the newest camera system on
relevant composite and metal parts.
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