| ABSTRACT: | QUALIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY (POD) FOR
NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION PROCEDURES
W. Rummel
D&w Enterprises, Ltd., Littleton, Colorado, United States
Nondestructive inspection (NDI) is integral to the development, fabrication and life cycle maintenance of
modern engineering materials, components and structures. Development and validation of the quantified
performance capability f an applied NDI procedure is essential to support of all elements of engineering
system performance and structural integrity.
This paper focuses on practical experience with the development and validation of the performance of
nondestructive inspection procedures and systems as applied in industry. Discussion includes automation of
fluorescent penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic and X-radiographic inspection systems; the logic, design of
experiment and data required for performance validation; and the results of validation and implementation in
industry.
General considerations, guidelines and requirements for NDI engineering of quantified inspection
procedures / systems and rigid requirements for validation and system maintenance are discussed. This
includes both NDI procedure qualification and (operator) personnel qualification. Capability is demonstrated
by the probability of detection (POD) method; reproducibility is provided by rigid system “calibration”; and
reproducibility is provided by rigid process control.
Development and validation of NDT procedures requires both a specific understanding of the requirements
for reliable application and a general engineering capability for system electrical / electronic and mechanical
design.
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