[1C2] Universal file format for NDT 4.0
S Couture
Evident Europe GmbH, UK
The premise of Industry 4.0 promises a place where all data will speak the same language. To make this promise a reality for the non-destructive evaluation (NDE) industry, an open file format for data acquisition is crucial. An open file format can offer datasets that are readable and interpretable without proprietary software or software development kits and this interoperability and readability will ease data exchanges.
This presentation proposes a new open file format as an alternative to files that require specific proprietary applications to load, read and save. The organisation of both acquisition data and configuration information is supported by a hierarchical data format (HDF5), which further provides extensive data storage capacity and readability using various software and programming languages. Accompanying documentation defines the various fields of the file. Some examples of currently available use cases are presented, including common phased array angle beam weld inspection and corrosion screening of plates and tubes. Being highly adaptable, the new file format will support more demanding acoustic inspection use cases in the future without producing breaking changes in the generic field definition. The file format is also a multi-technology format and support for eddy current technology as well as other NDE technologies is planned in coming releases. Overall, the open file format provides a versatile and highly sharable alternative to proprietary files that promotes both a clear and robust description of the data.
The proposed open file format approach contributes to NDE 4.0 by reducing barriers with an open interface, making NDE inspection data more available for customised analysis applications as well as emerging themes, such as digital twins, statistical analysis and artificial intelligence.
Keywords: NDE 4.0, open file format, interoperability, HDF5, phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT).
This presentation proposes a new open file format as an alternative to files that require specific proprietary applications to load, read and save. The organisation of both acquisition data and configuration information is supported by a hierarchical data format (HDF5), which further provides extensive data storage capacity and readability using various software and programming languages. Accompanying documentation defines the various fields of the file. Some examples of currently available use cases are presented, including common phased array angle beam weld inspection and corrosion screening of plates and tubes. Being highly adaptable, the new file format will support more demanding acoustic inspection use cases in the future without producing breaking changes in the generic field definition. The file format is also a multi-technology format and support for eddy current technology as well as other NDE technologies is planned in coming releases. Overall, the open file format provides a versatile and highly sharable alternative to proprietary files that promotes both a clear and robust description of the data.
The proposed open file format approach contributes to NDE 4.0 by reducing barriers with an open interface, making NDE inspection data more available for customised analysis applications as well as emerging themes, such as digital twins, statistical analysis and artificial intelligence.
Keywords: NDE 4.0, open file format, interoperability, HDF5, phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT).
