Business

The start of March 2023 was a big deal for ATH NDT we moved premises to a new location away from the town we first started the company 13 years previous, read more below as to the reasons why.

ATH NDT decided to look for bigger premises at the start of 2023 we had an idea of what we wanted.

• A facility of around 4 – 5k square feet in size
• Good loading bay area
• Good location for all employees (local to where they live)
• Larger offices for clerical staff
• Larger canteen

We searched around the West Craven area of Lancashire for 10 weeks without finding what we wanted this included Earby / Barnoldswick and further afield in Colne.

Luckily Jordan received a call from a transport company we use from Keighley, and we found our perfect industrial unit in Skipton to be more precise Engine Shed Lane.

From March 1^st 2023 we moved our existing equipment to our new location and are now awaiting the following to be installed.

• State of the art Electrostatic Penetrant System that will be used to process components and also be used to show prospective customers the kind of equipment we design / manufacture and install.
• State of the art Powder Coating system again to show prospective customers the quality of work we provide.
• Roller Penetrant Line again which will process components for our valued customers and again be seen by customers looking for a smaller processing system.
• A new piece of equipment we will also have installed, and working is a Spay Bake Paint Oven again so we can showcase to prospective clients.
• Along with a pre penetrant etch processing line this will enable us to set out on the business plan we have put together for the next 5 years.

All of the above will be able to be viewed in running by the third quarter of this year we will be having an open day to showcase all the above products along with a few nibbles and refreshments.

Please keep visiting the ATH NDT website along with our various social media platforms for updates, these are exciting times for us and the industries we supply.

Employing an NDT trainee may be a good idea but a lot of things need to be considered over the next few blogs we will look at the costs / pro & cons and then decide if it is really worth the time money and hassle.

In general, a minimum experience for even the basic of NDT methods will take at least 6 months, a company will be taking a big risk taking on a member of staff be it as a teenager or mature candidate.

Let’s look at the figures and options for an employer.

• 6 months wages at the governments current minimum wage guidance for over 23 year olds working a 37 hour week = £10,024,04

This means an employer will not be able to charge for the trainees work for 6 months and will have to pay on top of the wages pensions PAYE etc.

As can be seen from the above for an employer such as ATH NDT this is a massive commitment financially.

In the second instalment of this blog, we take a look at the other costs involved taking on a NDT Trainee courses exams etc

• Manufactured in the UK

 

• Multiple Level 3 personnel approved to EN4179 / NAS410 & ISO9712

 

• Multiple Level 3 personnel approved for Aerospace primes to name a few Rolls Royce / Honeywell / BAE / Airbus

 

• JOSCAR approved

JOSCAR is a collaborative tool used by the aerospace, defence, and security industry to act as a single repository for pre-qualification and compliance information. Using JOSCAR can determine if a supplier is “fit for business”. https://hellios.com/joscar/

• Sister company Craven NDT NADCAP approved.

Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program) is an industry-managed approach to conformity assessment of ‘special processes’ that brings together technical experts from prime contractors, suppliers and representatives from government to work together and establish requirements for approval. https://p-r-i.org/nadcap/

• Employees with a combined experience of more than 100 years’ experience combined at Level 2 & 3 to help assist companies to design the best equipment for their products.

 

• ISO 9001 approved a Proven Way To Demonstrate Your Commitment To Customers https://www.iso.org/iso-9001-quality-management.html

 

• Sister company Craven NDT AS9100 approved a set of guidelines for implementing a Quality Management System for use by aviation, space, and defence organizations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AS9100

 

• Multiple PT systems designed / built and installed across the UK including electrostatic / dip tanks and semi automated roller systems.

 

• State of the art show room to showcase actual working PT electrostatic systems.

 

Still unsure? Contact ATH NDT to either call in and see us or book us in to visit you at your site.

See below contact details.

https://athndt.uk/

 

 

Dye penetration testing is also known as liquid penetrate inspection, alias LPI. These tests are carried out to see if there are any breaking defects found on the surface. There are multiple use cases for these tests. Most of the time, they are used upon metals, plastics, non-porous materials and even ceramics. The test is famous for its non-destructive processes and low cost nature. Whenever a new product is ought to be produced, it would be made to go through dye penetration testing. It identifies all possible leaks and fatigue cracks.

Principle of Dye Penetrant Inspection

As suggested by its name, this inspection focuses on the penetration capabilities of the dye. As the dye is made to flow through the surface, it will be absorbed by the discontinuities and defects. The dye is also identified as a draw penetrant. It is usually applied using common techniques like brushing, dipping, and spraying. Once the penetrant is removed from the surface, the developer is applied. The developer acts as a visual inspector. The liquid penetrant inspection tests are great for spotting irregularities. Additionally, they can also be used to ensure on the durability of the material.

Benefits of using Liquid Penetrant Inspect

1. Multiple Use cases: First things first, you can use this form of testing on a variety of geometric shapes. Since the test depends on the level of absorption, the surface doesn’t have to be even. Even if the shape of the surface is complicated, irregularities will absorb the liquid. Eventually, it will be possible to see the presence of defects on the surface.
2. Compact: Unlike many other testing methods, the chemicals used as a part of these tests are very compact. It is quite simple to store and use them during the tests.
3. Sensitivity: The test is capable of testing the small discontinuities on the surface. It is quite famous for its highly sensitive nature. Most of the times, industries in hunt for testing methods that can spot impurities which are both tiny, and unevenly spread. This form of testing meets both these requirements
4. Flexibility: The liquid penetrant test can be used on a variety of materials. In includes both non-metallic and non-metallic surfaces, conductive and non-conductive objects, and even magnetic and non-magnetic surfaces. All these materials can be tested flawlessly.
5. Visualisation: The test helps engineers visualize the flaw. The indications are drawn directly on the surface.
6. Cost: The test is very cost-effective. Each material used in the test, are individually cost effective.

 

Liquid Penetrant Inspection also is known as Dye penetrant is an inspection method used for checking cracks or leakage in non-porous materials. This method is commonly used since it is cheaper. Liquid penetrant inspection is used with both ferrous and non-ferrous materials such as plastic, ceramics, and metals. This method detects defects such as cracks, leakage, forging and casting.

How it works

The process uses the principle of capillary action. The penetrant is applied to a test component then it is given enough time for penetration. The penetrant will flow through the cracks and then the excess component is removed. A developer is applied to make the penetrant visible on the test component. Inspection is done on the test component either via white light or ultraviolet.

The Inspection Process

Cleaning – This is the first step in the inspection process. It involves the removal of paint, dirt or grease that might hinder observation during the inspection process. Cleaning can be done using solvents, media blasting or vapour degreasing.

Application of penetrant – This should be done carefully on the surface of the test item. Give the penetrant enough time for enough penetration. It should take 5-30 minutes for the penetrant to penetrate the item being tested. This will differ in various situations depending on the material and the penetrant being used.

Excess penetrant removal – The excess penetrant should be removed to prevent altering of the inspection results. There are different methods of removing the excess penetrant from the item being tested. Each method will depend on the penetrant used. Emulsifiers are the common choice since they will work with many penetrants. Types of penetrants include lipophilic, solvent removable, water-washable and hydrophilic.

Application of developer – Examples of developers include water-suspendable, dry powder, water-soluble and non-aqueous wet developer. The choice of the developer will depend on its compatibility with the penetrant. This is due to the differences in solubility of penetrants. The main role of the developer is to draw penetrant from the defects into the surface. This forms visible indications called bleed-out which are used to indicate the type of defect mostly when using an LPI penetrant line.

Inspection -Fluorescent penetrant examinations will require ultraviolet light for carrying out the inspection. Dye penetrant uses visible light that has an adequate intensity of about 1100 Aux. Other than this the bleed-outs should be used to interpret the possible defect types on the tested material.

Post cleaning – This is the last step that should follow the recording of test findings. The tested material should be thoroughly cleaned after the process to facilitate efficient future liquid penetrant inspections.

There are many advantages of using DP inspection one being quicker testing times and this method has similar attributes with NDT supplies [non-destructive testing]. Contact ATH NDT on 01282 842624 to discuss your requirements.

NDT, or non-destructive testing, is the name given to the specialist kind of equipment used to non-invasively test an item, material, or object without causing any harm or damage. Here are the top 5 types of NDT supplies to use if you are looking to quality control and better understand the medium you are working with.

1. Penetrant Line

A PT penetrant system is a process used to determine defects in the surface of an object or material. A fluorescent penetrant line offers a sophisticated method by which to discover the depth, width and integrity of any indent or crack that may have occurred. A NDT Electrostatic Penetrant line provides a non-invasive way to check the surface of a material or object for defects without creating any further damage. This method only works on non-porous materials and can be used on both plastic and metal alike.

2. Black light

Black lights use UV lighting to inspect particles otherwise invisible to the naked eye. The UV radiation received by the phosphors in the black light is what helps to convert the image into something visible and a variety of liquids along with vitamins and minerals will all show up under a black light. Having optimum contrast is essential, so it is important to purchase your back light from a reputable NDT equipment supplier as most lamps decrease in effectiveness and productivity with age.

3. Gauges

Gauges can be used in several different ways, primarily for measuring thickness and the conductivity of base materials. Gauges can be used in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, electronic and marine, so it is a good idea to purchase a high quality, long lasting instrument. The dimensional information received via the use of gauges is most often utilised by industries such as engineering and all branches of science.

4. Meters

Meters come in a variety of different guises and are a generic term for a measuring product. NDT meters can be used to determine temperature variation, concealed material damage such as cracks and corrosion along with conductivity as well as susceptibility and resistance. Meters generally use a measuring system like a clock face, with numbers that rise and fall depending on the reading obtained. They are perhaps the most widely used and consumer friendly types of NDTS.

5. Radiation

NDT equipment is probably most widely known as being used for radiation investigations, such as x-rays. Radiology equipment can ascertain issues and problems via images taken using x-rays. These are high energy rays that pass through the body’s soft tissues, leaving behind a blank space and thus creating an image on metal film. As radiation can cause damage to cells if not used correctly, it is important to only purchase reputable equipment and use only as instructed.

The usage and types of NDTs are far more extensive, but these top 5 supplies are the most used and the ones you are most likely to come across when approaching an NDT supplier.

 

Choosing the right liquid penetrant system can be tough given that there are multiple varieties of developer types and options for use. FPI systems use a form of non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect flaws in materials.

Within aerospace, the NDT supplies are used in the manufacture, design, and maintenance of aircraft. However, one set of penetrant materials does not automatically work in every application.

Factors to Consider

When selecting the right penetrant materials, several factors need to be considered. Note that the FPI penetrant system varies in capabilities, size and shape. Therefore, for each application, several factors must be considered.

These may include:

• The material: Solvent removable methods may damage the surface because of the incompatibility existing between the under test and the penetrant.
• Size and type of defect: A post-emulsifiable method can detect wide and shallow defects. The fluorescent method is the best for detecting fine defects.
• The number of parts to be tested: fluorescent systems are best for batch inspections due to their high sensitivity to fluorescent indications.
• Geometry and intricacy: post-emulsifiable methods may leave tracks of excessive background coloration.

If sensitivity is your primary drive when choosing a penetrant system, decide if you will need a visible dye penetrant or a fluorescent penetrant. FPI systems produce a detectable indication from small defects.

Naturally, because the human eyes are sensitive to dark indications on dark backgrounds, they tend to be drawn more to fluorescent indications. Bespoke NDT systems reveal the material’s characteristics, including the tensile strength, the toughness of the fracture and ductility.

The use of NDT in Aerospace

In aviation, the most critical factor is safety. Therefore NDT is employed in the lifecycle of each product. That includes the designing of new aircraft, the inspection of engines and structures and the qualification of new industry material.

In the development phase, this system may be used to help in the production of flexible and light materials. Engineers use this system to test the aircraft and certify its performance and durability. It is also used to investigate issues within the aircraft.

Determining the Best Option

The visible penetrant may be the best choice under certain circumstances. When inspecting large defects, a highly sensitive system may not be your best choice, given that it may give an extended length of irrelevant indications.

In past inspections, this type of dye has been seen to give excellent results when the flaws are located in weldments or when the surface is rough. Because visible dye penetrants do not need a dark area, they are easier to use in the field.

The other consideration would be deciding on whether to use post-emulsifiable, solvent removable or water washable penetrants.

The use of FPI Electrostatic Penetrant Line is increasing, thanks to the advanced technology and data handling. Aerospace testing is vital for the safety of passengers. For NDT to be carried out, adherence to the stipulated standards must be observed.

 

NDT stands for non-destructive testing which covers a wide range of uses. At its core, the definition of NDT Equipment are tools that can examine an object or material using technology that does not affect its future usefulness. As you can imagine, examples of NDT can be seen in anything from manufacturing to medical testing. In this article, we will unpick 5 interesting non-destructive testing methods you should know about.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

Ultrasonic testing comes in many different non-destructive forms. However, all the variations rely on the use of ultrasonic waves to test an object or material and without causing any harm. One of the most common uses of UT is ultrasonic thickness measurement. Here the technique is used to measure the thickness of an object like some metal pipework. In this way, the metal’s corrosion can be tracked over time and the risk of the pipe breaking can be reduced.

Radiographic Testing (RT)

This technique involves the use of x-rays or gamma rays to view the internal structure of a component. The most obvious application of this testing is in medical x-rays for broken bones. However, a custom NDT equipment supplier can provide similar technology for the petrochemical industry, where this technique is employed to inspect machineries such as pressure vessels and valves, for cracks and other dangerous flaws.

Dye Penetrant Inspection (DP)

This method, also known as liquid penetrant inspection (LPI), NDT Penetrant Line and PT Penetrant System, is a fantastic choice for low-cost inspections and widely used in various industries. In this technique, a coloured dye is sprayed onto the object you want to test and used to reveal any surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials such as metals, plastics, or ceramics.

Electromagnetic Testing (ET)

This technique employs the use of electromagnetic currents and fields; these are passed through the object you want to test. The responses from these fields and currents can then be read to reveal more about the inside of an object. These types of tests can be difficult to get right and require advanced NDT Equipment or the use of an external non destructive testing services specialist.

Visual Testing (VT)

Visual testing is one easy method of non-destructive testing that is based on optics. This can cover a wide range of methods from spot-checks with nothing more than a glance on a manufacturing line to more scientific approaches with optical equipment and measuring instruments.

As you can see there are various techniques and uses for NDT from a wide range of industries. And these are just some of the methods of non-destructive tests. So, if you are considering employing NDT in your business, we are sure you will find a method to suit your needs.

 

ATH NDT is a long-established NDT service provider that serves as a “one-stop shop” for all aspects of the business. With years of hands-on expertise, our level 3 consultants can provide a wide range of level 3 services, including data card approvals, NADCAP preparation, and 24/7 assistance.

We also build penetrant lines and chemical processing lines in the United Kingdom, with customers such as British Engineering Ltd, Hanson Springs, The Welding Institute, and Heroux Devtek (APPH), to mention a few.

Services We Offer

Consultancy at the third level

With the ever-changing world of engineering, your company may discover an increasing demand for NDT.

Service & Repair of Calibration

Maintaining a good level in NDT is critical.

NDT Equipment & Services for Specialists

We want to assist everyone, from NDT Inspection Services to Non-Destructive Testing Equipment! Anyone interested in learning more should contact our staff right now. The latest in inspection technology is available from ATH NDT Limited. Our wide range of defect detectors, thickness gauges, transducers, probes, and other products all come with the software you’ll need to fulfil worldwide inspection standards. Our devices may help you prioritise performance and safety by detecting and characterising faults in a variety of materials, including as metals, and ceramics.

Calibration

If you purchase new NDT equipment from us, you will have the choice of having it supplied calibrated to applicable industry standards or having it calibrated after installation, which will save you time and effort.

When our inspection lines are delivered, we provide training and calibration for your team. This comprises temperature gauges, pressure indicators, and drying oven calibration. This way, you can be assured that all your equipment is up to code before we depart. If you do not require these services, we are as delighted to have any calibration performed by your regular experts.