OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training Program UT Configuration

Chris Magruder

V4.1B2T9

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration - Overview

After completion of the setup and focal law wizards the group is created and it is necessary to configure the UT parameters such as gain, range, etc. The UT menu contains parameters similar to any digital conventional UT flaw detector but will manage groups of A-scans instead one. Some parameters of the UT menu such as voltage are dependent on the pulser configuration of the instrument (SX) or acquisition module (MX2) and may be different on different models.
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OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration UT Menu

In the UT menu are sub menus for UT general, pulser, receiver, beam and advanced that contain various options and parameters. Additionally, UT features such as range and gain can be changed at any time directly from the data view or header.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration UT Gain

UT general gain is applied equally to all focal laws within the group and is displayed in the upper left hand side of the instrument display at all times. The general gain is available in increment steps of .1, .5, 1, 2, and 6 dB. The OmniScan SX and OmniScan MX2 when used with PA2 modules have a dynamic range of 0-80dB (550 mVp-p) for the phased array pulsers. The complete UT specifications are listed at the end of this section and in the OmniScan SX\MX2 equipment brochures and user manual.
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OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration UT Gain cont.

The UT gain is always displayed in the upper left hand corner of the display and can be changed by using the touch screen and scroll knob or with the mouse. This enables UT gain manipulation in full screen mode or from any menu without navigation.
UT gain has been activated for adjustment.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration UT Gain cont.

Touch and hold the gain area or right click with a mouse and options for enabling the reference and set to 80% are displayed. When reference is set it will enable readings used to compare a signal in the gate to a reference amplitude and any change in gain is displayed independently. The set to 80% function will adjust the signal in gate A to 80% automatically.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration UT Gain cont.

The UT gain is also available from the function key on the OmniScan MX2. UT gain function key not available on OmniScan SX.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Range

The UT start and range function similarly to a conventional flaw detector except that what is entered for one A-scan is applied to all A-scans in the group. When the A-scan is not zoomed, the UT start and range can be selected and modified directly from the UT ruler on the A-scan as pictured below. After selecting the parameter, use the scroll knob or enter the number using keypad.

First of ruler UT start

Second of ruler UT range

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Range cont.

The UT start and range are also available from the UT>General menu or from the range function key (OmniScan MX2 only) Adjusting the range properly is essential for good gate placement and ensures that the A-scan points are over the area of interest of the inspection for optimum analysis. For welds that are less than 25mm thick, a good rule of thumb for typical weld inspection is to select the 45 degree focal law and set the range to 2.5X the component thickness.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Pulser

The available voltage settings are dependent on the instrument or acquisition module. Excessive voltage on small elements will result in saturation and poor results. PRF includes options for:
1. Auto max. Will allow maximum PRF (Scanner speed) for current configuration. 2. Optimum. Compromise of heat, battery power, scanner speed and common settings. 3. Manual. Any number up to the maximum allowed with current configuration.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Pulser cont.

The pulser values are entered during the wizard process and associated probes or probe elements to the phased array connector wiring and instrument pulsers. The example below is of a 3 group configuration for an OmniScan MX2 PA-TOFD inspection for which each probe is associated to a pulser. The OmniScan SX is limited to single probe, single group inspection and the pulser is always 1.

Pulser 1

Pulser 65

Pulser 127-128

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OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration PRF

Below is an example of ghost echoes due to excessive PRF. This phenomenon is also common on cylindrical components like studs and bolting, inspections requiring long sound paths like forgings and castings, and complex geometry such as valves and flange faces. Reduce the PRF when this problem is suspected.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration PRF cont.

The pulse repetition frequency (PRF) is the frequency at which pulsers are emitted and is expressed as the inverse of the time interval between the emission of pulses (Ttotal) and (T-beam). The PRF is directly related to how fast the probe can move either manually or encoded with a scanner. For manual inspections when the scan type is set to time the PRF is fixed at 60Hz. This corresponds to 60mm/sec scan speed at 1mm inspection resolution. The PRF will remain at 60Hz unless it is manually increased or until the number of focal laws or UT range is increased to the point where it must be reduced by the software.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration PRF cont.

In the case of multi group inspection (OmniScan MX2 only), the PRF takes into account the emission of all focal laws on all groups. Group 1, focal law 1 through group last, focal law last. Again, a manual inspection is fixed at 60Hz until the number of focal laws or UT range is increased to the point where the PRF must be reduced by the software.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration PRF cont.

The acquisition rate is the number of complete acquisition cycles expressed in Hz that the system can complete in one second and is directly related to PRF. Acquisition rate determines the maximum scanning speed that the probe can move without missing a data. Below is an example of one cycle for one focal law, also called the recurrence rate.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration PRF cont.

The maximum scan speed based on PRF is automatically calculated by the software. This is covered in the encoded inspection section of this training.

Encoded inspection

Time inspection

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Receiver Menu

Set the filter to the frequency of the probe or whichever filter works best include none. Turn on or off the video filter based on preference. Leave averaging at 1 for phased array inspection (1= no averaging). Averaging is only used on TOFD and conventional UT groups.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Receiver Menu cont.

The video filter provides a type of digital smoothing that can aid in sizing defects in most applications. It cannot be adjusted in analysis mode and the data file will be saved with the selected option. The video filter will change the signal sensitivity and must be set prior to calibration.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Beam Menu

Parameters in the beam sub menu are the result of either the wizards and focal law calculator and should not be adjusted manually. The beam index offset is the theoretical exit point of the beam in the wedge and is used for verification of exit point on a calibration block. The beam delay is calculated by the focal law wizard initially and adjusted during wedge delay calibration using the wizard. The focal law gain offset is different for each focal law and is adjusted during sensitivity calibration using the wizard.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Beam cont.

The index offset in >UT>Beam> is the theoretical exit point of the beam in the wedge and should match the reference on the IIW block when measuring it. The index offset is different for each A-scan even in an S-scan using the same elements.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Advanced Menu

The advanced sub menu contains an auto set to 80% feature and when selected will automatically adjust the gain to the level set in reference amp. The point quantity is directly related to A-scan resolution, file size, and scanner speed and will improve accuracy and imaging when increased.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Scale Factor

The scale factor is a non editable parameter that displays the compression scale factor of the current group based on the point quantity. The benefits of compression are faster acquisition speed and reduced file size without compromising A-scan amplitude data or flaw detectability. A compression scale factor of 4 indicates that the most relevant point (Highest amplitude\lowest thickness) of every 4 points sampled at the digitizing frequency (100MHz) is displayed on the A-scan and recorded in the acquisition. The optimum scale factor is automatically calculated based on the UT range and number of points selected for the A-scan and under normal inspection conditions need not be adjusted. A scale factor of 1 indicates no compression.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Scale Factor cont.

The type of compression used in the OmniScan SX\MX2 ensures that as the point quantity is reduced to increase PRF and minimize file size, no amplitude data is lost in the A-scan.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Point Quantity

Example: A corrosion procedure requires a thickness reading accuracy of +/- .1mm using the Hydroform corrosion mapping system. UT range =30mm, UT points= 320 30mm 320pts. = .093mm resolution on the UT axis. The 320 point quantity is sufficient to meet the .1mm accuracy required by the procedure. A 640 point A-scan under the same conditions would result in +\- .046mm accuracy but would double the file size and reduce the scanner speed by .

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Sum Gain

The sum gain is applied to all elements after summation based on the number of elements in the focal law. Using a value other than the auto calculated value can result in loss of amplitude linearity and is not recommended.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration Scale Factor cont.

Below are the parameters that slow PRF in descending order of affect and how to manipulate them to maximize speed.
Reduce the total number of groups in the setup. Reduce the number of focal laws within the group. Increase the size of the scan resolution. Ensure all gates are within the UT range. Decrease the UT range. (Optimize start and range on area of interest) Decrease the point quantity of the A-scan. Record only C-scan data as opposed to C-scan and A-scan data. Do not record the data file with A-scan envelope on. Turn off analog outputs. Turn off remote desktop.

Changing a parameter that is related to PRF may or may not change the PRF value because the bottle neck for the data throughput can be a different parameter under different conditions.

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration OmniScan SX UT Specs

OmniScan SX \ MX2 Training UT Configuration OmniScan MX2 UT Specs

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Questions or comments: PhasedArraySupport@Olympusndt.com

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