OmniScan MX2 Training Program

Velocity Calibration Wizard

OmniScan MX2 Training Phased Array Velocity Cal Overview

The velocities of the wedge and component material are two of many
parameters that must be known to the part and group set up wizard prior
to the formation of the focal laws.
No velocity correction can be made without recreating the focal laws.
Like conventional UT, velocity is directly related to beam angle. (Snells
law) When the velocity of the material or wedge is other than what was
input into the group set up wizard the result is that the beam angle is not
what it is supposed to be and cannot be corrected. (The 70 degree beam
is really 68 degrees)
A material velocity tolerance error of no more than 25mm per second must
be entered into the calculator to maintain a refracted steering angle within
+\- 1 degrees.

OmniScan MX2 Training Material Velocity Overview cont.

The material velocity is a fixed parameter and does not change from one
digital instrument to the next. It is measured one time and is recorded for
future use. There is no need to perform repeated measurements to account
for different instruments.
For a known material velocity, the number can be directly input into the
software with the same results on all OmniScan MX2s, or any other digital
instrument.

OmniScan MX2 Training Wedge Velocity - Rexolite

Phased array wedges purchased from Olympus are typically made of

Rexolite.
Rexolite is an isotropic material that has a constant velocity in each axis of
2330 meters/sec that is critical to precise beam formation.
Use of wedges made of Lucite and other lower grade plastics will result in
greater beam angle error.
Rexolite can be machined with tolerances much tighter than Lucite or low
grade plastics that affect beam angle accuracy.
For these reasons Rexolite is an ideal material for phased array wedge
manufacturing.

OmniScan MX2 Training Velocity Management in MX2 Software

The velocity parameter can be set in the OmniScan MX2

software in 2 places:
1. The part\weld set up wizard by selecting material with a fixed velocity
from the database. (Probe\Part>Part>Material)
2. The UT>General sub menu by entering a custom velocity value.

Modifying the velocity will remove any calibration that has been
completed in the wizards because the focal laws must be rebuilt.
Using the velocity calibration wizard will also automatically
populate the value.

OmniScan MX2 Training Shear Wave Material Velocity

The velocity of a given material differs slightly for each angle for both shear and
longitudinal propagation modes.
For a shear wave beams in 1016 carbon steel the velocity deviation is less than
approximately 15 meters per second between 45-70 degrees.
For this reason, different angles within the same sector scan are calculated using
one fixed velocity.
A different velocity can be used for different groups in the MX2, but not within the
same group.

OmniScan MX2 Training Shear Wave Material Velocity cont.

The preferred method for obtaining the velocity in the group set up wizard
is to select the material from a fixed database using a default value.
When the material velocity is unknown, the MX2 has a velocity calibration
wizard that measures the velocity of a component based on two fixed
reflectors at known positions. (Side drilled hole, radius or backwall)
Use of the velocity calibration wizard for shear wave inspection is only
beneficial if a suitable calibration block made of the exact same material
has been manufactured.
This a common practice in pipeline jobs but rarely available for typical
ASME, API, AWS, and similar inspections.

Vs.

OmniScan MX2 Training Shear Wave Material Velocity cont.

Velocity calibration block

The velocity calibration is not

related to the probe and use of
velocity calibration block designs
such as pictured at right require a
zero degree shear wave probe.
The velocity is measured at 0, 45,
and 90 degrees in the material.
Zero degree shear wave is not
possible with a typical 1D linear
phased array probe design.
Because shear waves do not
propagate through water or UT
couplant, honey or another viscous
liquid must be used for coupling.
Panametrics nominal angle shear
wave couplant is also available.
(Panametrics part # SWC)

Panametrics 0 degree shear wave probes

OmniScan MX2 Training Material Velocity Tolerance

For one degree angle accuracy in carbon steel the velocity input to the group set up
wizard (Calculator) must be within +\- 20 meters\second.
If measuring velocity on a calibration block, 1 degree angle accuracy is only
achieved when the sound path measurement is +\- .1mm of the actual value
Only precision measurements to this tolerance made on a block of the exact same
material will result in velocity accuracy better than a default value taken from the
MX2 database.

OmniScan MX2 Training - Velocity Calibration Wizard Overview

The MX2 velocity calibration wizard has 3 options for measuring the velocity
of a component that are compatible with both shear and longitudinal beams.
1. Radius. (Angle beam on sound path radius)
2. Depth (Angle beam on side drilled hole)
3. Thickness (0 degree on component backwall)

All three options require 2 reflectors at known positions.

All three options will achieve best results when used with one A-scan
or focal law. Angle beam is not recommended due to angle error.
Prior to entering the velocity wizard, program at least one single focal
law appropriate for the calibration type or install a conventional UT
probe.

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Velocity Calibration - Thickness

Select Wizard>Calibration>Type Ultrasound> Mode Velocity>Start.

Select Echo Type Thickness> and enter the values for thickness 1 and 2.
Select Next.

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Velocity Calibration Thickness cont.

If using a phased array probe, select the focal law used for the measurement.
Adjust the gain for a signal and ensure that neither target 1 or 2 is saturated.
Adjust the range over the targets. Excessive range will result in reduced accuracy
due to UT axis resolution based on a fixed point quantity. (MX2 default is 320)
Select Next.

1st backwall at 25mm

2nd backwall at 50mm

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Velocity Calibration Thickness cont.

Set the gate A start, width, and threshold over thickness 1.

Select Get Position. The time of flight position of thickness 1 is recorded.

1st backwall at 25mm

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Velocity Calibration Thickness cont.

Set the gate A start, width, and threshold over thickness 2.

Select Get Position. The time of flight position of thickness 2 is recorded and the
MX2 will calculate the velocity.

2nd backwall at 50mm

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Velocity Calibration Thickness cont.

Observe the calculated velocity and ensure it is close to the expected value.
Select Accept.
The velocity is now set for the active group based on the wizard results.

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OmniScan MX2 Training Velocity Indicator in MX2 Software

The OmniScan MX2 user interface displays a status indicator for velocity.

A green V indicates that the current velocity in this group was the result of
a measurement made through the velocity calibration wizard.
A green V is not an indicator that the velocity is within tolerance and has no
relevance to code or procedure compliance.
When a velocity other than that in the MX2 database is required, it is
normal practice to measure it one time with a conventional probe and enter
it manually for future inspections.
It is normal and acceptable for inspection .Ops files that have been
calibrated for sensitivity and TCG to have a red V indicating no velocity
wizard calibration was performed.

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OmniScan MX2 Training Material Velocity Measurement

Question:
If the material velocity for the component is unknown and no calibration block of the
exact same material exits, what is the benefit of performing the OmniScan MX2
velocity wizard calibration on an IIW block?
Answer:
There is no benefit. Measuring the velocity of the IIW block does nothing to improve the
accuracy of the inspection because it is not made of the same material as the
component.
Without the calibration block on the left (Or similar design) made of the exact same
material, the MX2 database is just as likely to be correct as a measurement made
from a similar but different component like an IIW block. These functions do not
calibrate the instrument, they measure the component velocity.
This is the same principle for conventional UT as well and not unique to phased array
inspection.

VS.

VS.
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OmniScan MX2 Training Material Velocity Errors

Question:
What is the affect on focal law creation using a wrong or inaccurate material
velocity in the part and setup group wizards?
Answer:
The result is angle, focus, and wedge delay calculation error. Only wedge
delay error can be fixed with the calibration process. Angle and focus error
cannot. Slight angle error due to minor material velocity errors is normal
and affects phased arrays similarly as a a single element probe. This is
typical of conventional UT and can be measured using a standard IIW
calibration block. IIW block angle verification is covered in detail in a later
section.

Ang
le e
rror

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OmniScan MX2 Training Material Velocity Measurement

Question:
Can the material velocity be measured with the OmniScan MX2 if it is
unknown?
Answer:
Yes. Measurement for precise shear and longitudinal velocity requires a
calibration block made of the same material. Not just same type of material
or P number, but a block made from the exact same pipe or component.
The measurement is taken for both shear and\or longitudinal velocity at 0,
45, and 90 degrees and is recorded for use in the calculator or instrument.

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OmniScan MX2 Training Material Velocity Overview

Question:
Why do computer based calculators contain more material parameters such as
frequency, density and attenuation in the material and not just velocity?
Answer:
Because some phased array calculators can perform beam modeling,
predictive sensitivity and TCG calculation in addition to predicting the wedge
delay.
The frequency is also required to calculate the near field.

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OmniScan MX2 Training Velocity Calibration Wizard Movie

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OmniScan MX2 Training Velocity Calibration Wizard Movie

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