Element invests in computed radiography for aerospace NDT
08/10/2019
Element Materials Technology has invested over US$3 million (approximately £2.4 million) in computed radiography (CR) equipment and training to expand its aerospace NDT testing capabilities across the UK and the USA.The Group’s laboratories in Hillsboro, Oregon, Houston, Texas and Rancho Dominguez, California, in the USA and Dudley and Sheffield in the UK have acquired CR systems from Fujifilm and constructed X-ray vaults and machines to perform state-of-the-art testing on large structural investment castings.
CR technology enables Element to utilise flexible phosphor imaging plates to capture high-resolution digital images instead of using conventional film. The transfer of digital images allows for faster collaboration and the elimination of physical film, meaning that there is no longer a need to pay for associated shipping and storage costs and therefore saving customers both time and money. Element’s technicians then interpret the digital images to ensure the investment castings being tested meet desired aerospace specifications.
Rick Sluiters, EVP Aerospace at Element, commented: “The aerospace industry is demanding a shift towards CR and this significant investment in equipment and training allows us to expand our capabilities and ensures that we are providing customers with the most technically demanding service offering available.
“We are committed to embracing innovation and change with emerging technologies and this investment is further evidence of Element leading the way for the aerospace NDT industry into the digital future.’’
Element has over 80 years’ experience in both commercial and military aerospace testing and dedicates more than 3000 technicians, engineers and scientists to the sector. The company has 29 Nadcap-accredited laboratories with 46 Nadcap accreditations and claims that its customer approvals, technical expertise and geographical footprint are unrivalled in the aerospace testing, inspection and certification industries.
www.element.com
