Definition:

A mosaic of transducer elements in which the timing of the elements' excitation can be individually controlled to produce certain desired effects, such as steering the beam axis or focusing the beam

Why Use Phased Array

• High speed electronic scanning without moving parts
• Improved inspection capabilities through software control of beam characteristics
• Inspection with multiple angles with single, electronically controlled probe
• Greater flexibility for inspection of complex geometries
           o Optimized focusing
           o Optimized beam angle

Basics of How They Work

• Ultrasonic phased arrays consist of a series of individual elements, each with its own connector, time
   delay circuit, and A/D converter

• Elements are acoustically insulated from each other

• Elements are pulsed in groups with pre-calculated time delays for each element, i.e., “phasing.”

• For economic reasons, pulsers are usually multiplexed

• Instrumentation nomenclature such as a PA 16/128 refers to an instrument with 16 multiplexed
   pulsers and a total of 128 ultrasonic channels.

Typical Applications

Thickness Determination of Materials
Inspection of Castings
Inspection of Forgings
Inspection of Welds
Inspection of Aerospace Materials

A Career in Ultrasonic Phased Array

Careers can be in a variety of areas:

• Service Inspection Companies
• Smelters & Foundries
• Rolling & Forging Mills
• Petro Chemical & Refineries
• Mining & Mineral Processing
• Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing
• Vehicle Maintenance & Manufacturing
• Government Bodies
• Engineering Firms
• Research & Development Facilities
• Education & Training
• Equipment Manufacture & Sales

What Courses Are Offered?
Introduction to Phased Array (40 Hours)
Phased Array Level 2 (80 Hours), Assessment approved for AS3998/AINDT certification.

Introduction to Phased Array

Duration:           5 Days

Purpose:           The Introduction to Phased Array is an informal course, teaching the basics of Phased Array
                         equipment and techniques. The majority of this course is practical and will focus on 
                         calibration procedures and the inspection of typical engineering components.

Pre-requisites:  UT2 Welds

Exams:              There are no formal exams.

Equipment:        It is preferable that students supply their own equipment as different manufacturers use
                          different operating procedures. However we have a limited number of OmniScan units
                          generously supplied by Olympus NDT available.

Ultrasonics Phased Array Level 2 Welds
(Includes AINDT Approved Examinations for Phased Array Certification)

Duration:           10 Days

Purpose:            To train personnel in detection, measurement and recording of discontinuities in Welds
                           using Ultrasonic Phased Arrays. (Based on the method code AS2207)
 
                          Due to the variances in equipment available, two competencies are available:

                                1) Manual Phased Array Inspection
                                    Real time inspection and interpretation (for systems not containing data collection
                                    or encoded scans).

                               2) Encoded Phased Array Inspection
                                    Encoded data collection and interpretation.
                                    Note: Satisfactory completion of Encoded Phased Array encompasses Manual
                                    Phased  Array Inspection.

Click Here For Further Information

Recommended Pre Course Study:
Basic Mathematics - Trigonometry and Algebra
 

More information about the pre-requisites, training and assessment can be found in the ATTAR Student Handbook at our Downloads and Literature page.

Examples of typical math questions can be found at our Downloads and Literature page.

The course syllabus can be found at our Downloads and Literature page.

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