[2B4] Growing adoption of eddy current array technologies in industry
J Watson, H Garlick and T Armitt
Lavender International NDT Consultancy Services Ltd, UK
The past ten years have seen huge advancements in the capability, performance and commercial availability of eddy current array-based inspection technologies. Small coverage probes requiring raster scanning have been replaced with multi-element arrays capable of inspecting in a single-pass movement with high repeatability.
The imaging capabilities of these eddy current arrays provide inspectors with a powerful tool to better characterise indications and contextualise the data, producing a permanent record of inspections that can ultimately be stored digitally, scrutinised off site or perhaps incorporated into a digital twin of the inspected part/system. The spring-loaded element design of some probes makes them inherently well suited for remote deployment via robots, which has enabled the inspection of components in their native extreme environment conditions (temperature/radiation/chemical).
However, the replacement of legacy imaging techniques such as dye penetrant and magnetic particle is not as straightforward a process as it may seem. Eddy current arrays are less adaptable to material and geometrical changes. Existing manufacturing specifications probably do not cover the capability assessment of eddy current arrays, where the use of verifications such as PSM-5 TAM panels is not appropriate.
The recent deployment of artificial intelligence tools for eddy current array data analysis is marketed as a game changer. However, this also raises various questions regarding how such tools can be qualified to ensure they are fit for purpose. Are the various industrial companies and regulatory bodies (for example the European Network for Inspection and Qualification) ready to answer these?
This provides an unbiased overview of the eddy current array technologies that are being implemented by various industrial sectors within the UK and internationally: defence, nuclear, civil power generation, petrochemicals and manufacturing. This provides a summary of the technology, some of its key applications and case studies, as well as information on its growing use and subsequent demand for Level 2 and Level 3 training/qualifications.
The imaging capabilities of these eddy current arrays provide inspectors with a powerful tool to better characterise indications and contextualise the data, producing a permanent record of inspections that can ultimately be stored digitally, scrutinised off site or perhaps incorporated into a digital twin of the inspected part/system. The spring-loaded element design of some probes makes them inherently well suited for remote deployment via robots, which has enabled the inspection of components in their native extreme environment conditions (temperature/radiation/chemical).
However, the replacement of legacy imaging techniques such as dye penetrant and magnetic particle is not as straightforward a process as it may seem. Eddy current arrays are less adaptable to material and geometrical changes. Existing manufacturing specifications probably do not cover the capability assessment of eddy current arrays, where the use of verifications such as PSM-5 TAM panels is not appropriate.
The recent deployment of artificial intelligence tools for eddy current array data analysis is marketed as a game changer. However, this also raises various questions regarding how such tools can be qualified to ensure they are fit for purpose. Are the various industrial companies and regulatory bodies (for example the European Network for Inspection and Qualification) ready to answer these?
This provides an unbiased overview of the eddy current array technologies that are being implemented by various industrial sectors within the UK and internationally: defence, nuclear, civil power generation, petrochemicals and manufacturing. This provides a summary of the technology, some of its key applications and case studies, as well as information on its growing use and subsequent demand for Level 2 and Level 3 training/qualifications.
