Mobile NDT system for composite materials

AT - Automation Technology offers now a new thermographic inspection system for the non-destructive testing of composite materials. This new mobile inspection system called C-CheckIR uses active thermography for the reliable detection of delaminations, water inclusions, debondings, etc. C-CheckIR is easy to operate and does not require any extensive training. The complete inspection head of C-CheckIR is mounted on a light support frame that only needs to be placed at the right position on the object to be inspected. It does not even matter if the surface is vertical, since the system's frame is equipped with vacuum-suction-feet. The operator just needs to press a button and the system will fix itself firmly to the surface. The system is controlled from a handy tablet-PC through a very intuitive user interface. For the most common materials, such as CRP or GRP, C-CheckIR already features pre-set inspection parameters, so that the operator can start measuring right away. Of course, the inspection parameters can be easily adjusted if required.

Easily identifed

The measurement itself is carried out in just a few seconds. The optical excitation source of C-CheckIR provides a thermal excitation to the inspected object, while the systems infrared camera records a sequence of images. The acquired data is then processed by the software and the operator gets as a result an image showing information about the internal structure of the material checked, where typical defects such as delaminations, etc. can be easily identified and localized. Previously available inspection devices of this kind tend to be built in a quite complex way and are therefore more adequate for a stationary operation. C-CheckIR on the contrary, has a very compact design and fits completely in its ruggedized transport case. This makes the system ideal for companies providing on-site NDT-Services in branches such as: aerospace, navy, wind energy, automotive industry, among others.