Manufacture of high quality tube, pipe and bar material demands continuous monitoring for freedom from defects and dimensional tolerances. Production applications for ultrasonic inspection require precise high reliability instrumentation. This must be unaffected by the typical factory environment, which can be hot, electrically noisy and dirty.

USL’s range of PC-based ultrasonic equipment is specifically designed to meet these needs. In conjunction with automated material handling units from USL or other specialist suppliers, you can be sure that the quality of your product can be asured to meet the required standards.

The systems can range in complexity from single probe units for continuous thickness monitoring, to multi probe assemblies for full wall inspection of rotating tube. The operation of test heads and the data acquisition sequence are controlled by sensors located in the handling unit and the test head itself.

In the case of welded tube and pipe, test heads can be provided for manual or automated weld following.

Because many customers have special requirements, we are always willing to modify or design systems to suit your particular needs.

Systems for batch type testing or directly in-line

Multi-probe test heads with raise/lower mechanisms

Probe configurations for circumferential, longitudinal and mid wall defects. Also for thickness verification and couplant monitoring.

Complete material handling systems with input and outlet racks

Integration with encoders, position sensors, optical devices and limit switches

Automatic defect marking by paint spray or ink jet systems

Automatic defect sorting

Couplant recirculation and conditioning

Upgrade of existing handling and drive systems

Ultrasonics / Electronics

Sealed and air conditioned housings for severe factory environments

Multi channel, multi gate systems

Very high data acquisition rates (up to 10kHz per channel with 4 simultaneous gates)

Fully production hardened for noise immunity, with exceptional S/N ratio

Integration of eddy current and laser gauging units, in addition to ultrasonics

Automated, repeatable set-up for each product from stored parameters

Continous defect and thickness monitoring and display

PC control of material handling and sorting units, with PLC integration when required

Couplant monitoring and control

On board status monitoring and calibration options

Analog A scan display for update at full PRF rates. Digital A scan option for archiving

Optional second A scan display near test head

Frequency from <0.5MHz to 25MHz

Software

Menu based operation - easy to run

Real time display of status of each gate

Storage, recall and automatic setup for all test parameters

Password protected access levels for operators and supervisors when required

Interfaces to factory network and mainframe computers

On line statistical monitoring and display

Optional "chart recorder" type display, with recording and playback

Custom software for special user requirements