Major ADVISE achievements (TRL):
-Fast FE Solution for 3D simulation in welded components (8)
-Anisotropic generalised point source synthesis (7)
-Weld formation modelling (3)
-Weld map inversion (4)
-Bulk material characterisation (4)
-Multilayer Transducer (7)
-TRL-Phased Array (9)
-EMAT array (7)
-Adaptive TFM Image optimisation (7)
-CIVA Lab framework (9)
-FMC post processing plug-in: Scattering Matrix (7)
-Effective material calculation (7)
-Multimodal TFM guidance (SEE estimator) (9)
-Heterogeneous structural noise reduction (CORUS) (8)
-Embedded algorithms on acquisition system (8)
ADVISE’s incremental improvements in the following topics:
- Understanding the underlying propagation phenomena is essential for an informed choice of the best compromise in terms of transducer configuration, wave mode and frequency, and is best served with computer models capable to take a complex microstructure into account and to predict performance for a given inspection setup.
- Knowledge of a weld’s macrostructure is necessary for precise ultrasound imaging, to take beam deviations into account, while local variations of the microstructure can cause large spatial variations of scattering and attenuation. For bulk materials, larger variations of grain sizes are often encountered, which may also include specific local features such as stratified layers. Material characterization is thus an important building block towards improved inspection capability. For welds, model-based approaches can provide good estimates, provided that the welding parameters are known.
- Inspection Technique optimisation refers to the choice of the optimum combination of inspection parameters such as transducer setup, mode, frequency, focusing. ADVISE pursued a model-based approach to the optimisation problem. Evaluation and demonstration of novel techniques, such as EMAT transducers and their unique ability to generate horizontally polarized shear waves, reputed to be less affected by beam skewing, and signal processing techniques to reduce backscatter noise were also performed.
- Model based defect analysis refers to different strategies to enhance defect characterization. An essential first step consists in taking into account knowledge about the macrostructure under inspection, to account for local variations of wave velocity, thus removing the traditional assumption of constant wave velocity when relating travel time-based information in ultrasound acquisitions to spatial locations within a component. The combination of relevant information from multiple images using different inspection modes relies on a model to discriminate defects from artefacts and geometry-induced indications, in order to combine only relevant modes. Adaptive imaging accounts for perturbations of local characteristics and corrects these for an accurate imaging of defects. Inversion techniques exploit forward models iteratively to converge towards a reliable defect characterization.
- Integration is a prerequisite for successful deployment of any inspection technique. ADVISE responded to this challenge in three ways. The principal receptacle for all developments is the well established CIVA platform, widely accepted in the industry. For algorithms which lend themselves to an actual integration into an acquisition system (e.g. with real-time or close to real-time performance), this was done, benefitting of the flexibility of the Panther acquisition system developed by Eddyfi.
