TOFD training course hosted by SGS in China
10/06/2009
Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) is a sensitive and accurate method for non-destructive testing of welds for defects. The SGS NDT Training and Examination Centre hosted its first TOFD Level 2 SNT training course in Shanghai, China. Candidates from all over the world were present, including those from New Zealand, Malaysia, Canada, China and Belgium.The TOFD course was conducted in cooperation with the SGS Global NDT – Special Examinations Centre in the Netherlands. Norbert Trimborn, NDT specialist from Holland, performed the course, providing his international expertise on this topic.
This was the first of many TOFD courses to be held in the future and SGS hopes to offer a Personnel Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (PCN) TOFD course very soon.
Reacting to an increasing demand for qualified NDT inspectors, SGS established a Non-Destructive Testing Training and Examination Centre in Shanghai, China. This SGS Training and Examination Centre offers not only training but certification and examination opportunities for NDT and inspection in accordance with worldwide standards.
Time-of-flight diffraction was invented in the UK in the 1970s for the nuclear industry and is considered one of the fastest NDT methods to characterise welds. TOFD is a fully-computerised system which scans and evaluates discontinuities in terms of height, length and position. This NDT method is based on the diffraction of ultrasonic waves and differs from the traditional pulse echo technique as it monitors diffracted signals at the edge of defects which are directly related to the true position and size of the defect. The Probability of Detection (POD) increases greatly (up to 90%) for flat or spherical defects compared to traditional techniques.
SGS also provides a fully integrated service pack for its clients, combining non-destructive testing services, inspection and asset integrity management through its worldwide NDT network in over 30 countries.
www.sgs.com/ndt-training
