Jason Ford

Researchers in Germany create mobile ultrasound test system

News

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM have developed a mechanised ultrasound process that can be used for the non-destructive testing of complex components such as ships’ propellers.

The scientists received support from Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Group and propeller manufacturer Wärtsilä Propulsion Netherlands.

‘With our mobile ultrasound test system, we can inspect copper-nickel-aluminium bronzes up to 450mm thick and detect fissures down to a few millimetres in length,’ said Dr Martin Spies of ITWM in Kaiserslautern. ‘Because we emit the ultrasound at defined angles, we also find defects positioned at an angle to the surface.’

Currently, propellers are inspected for inner defects with an ultrasound test probe that is passed over the component by hand — a technique that does npt capture the entire volume of the component. The tests are carried out because defects in the component can occur during the casting process.

According to a statement, the new system is capable of recording large volumes of digitised ultrasound test data, taking into account the curvatures of the propeller surface. The device currently scans test grids measuring 700mm by 400mm, achieving a rate of up to 100mm per second.

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