AMIGO Crack Microgauge
 

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The ACFM technique is ideally suited for defect detection and sizing when electrical contact is impossible or undesirable.  It is especially useful for rapid scanning and for sizing through paint and rust, both topside and underwater.

The ACFM technique has now been widely accepted by certifying authorities and the majority of offshore operators as an acceptable technique for the detection of surface breaking fatigue cracks either on uncoated or coated steel structures.

The AMIGO is one of a series of nondestructive testing ACFM instruments manufactured by TSC Inspection Systems (TSC), developed for the detection and sizing of defects in electrical conducting material.  The new AMIGO represents a significant advance in topside inspection technology.

The AMIGO has all the advantages of ACFM inspection available on other TSC instruments, but in a smaller, lighter package with the added benefits of a longer battery life and is more user friendly.

The system provides:

• Rapid scanning using a hand-held probe

• Reliable crack detection and sizing (length and depth)

• Dual frequency option:
  »  5 KHz (for optimum performance on ferritic steel)
  »  50 KHz (for improved sensitivity on non-ferrous metals)
  

• Rugged site unit, IP54 rated

• 10 hour operation on one fully-charged battery pack, and easy exchange of battery packs in the field

• Reduced cleaning requirements with no need to clean to bare metal

• Capable of inspection through thin metallic coatings, or through non-conducting coatings up to 10mm thick

• Windows software for ease of operation and compatibility with other Windows applications

• Full data storage for back-up, off-line view and audit purposes

• Access to a wide range of geometries using TSC’s new range of active topside probes

• Buttons for RUN / STOP and MARKERS on instrument and larger probes to allow one man operation in difficult access areas

• Intelligent probes to simplify operation
  »  High temperature applications
  »  Non-ferrous materials
  »  Array probes for custom uses
  

 
         SYSTEM SPECIFICATION

Unit Weight:	4.5kg
Unit Size:	206 x 292 x 127mm
Probe Cable Length:	5 meters standard, up to 50m by special request.
Serial Communications Cable up to:	30 meters
Operating Temperature:	-20º + 40ºC
Environment Protection:	IP54 rated
Array Support:	16 channels plus position encoder

SOFTWARE

A latest version of TSC's user-friendly QFM software (v3.1d) takes advantage of the major improvements incorporated in the Amigo. The new version retains the look and feel of earlier versions to avoid the need for retraining of U9 operators.

ASSIST (ACFM Software Suite for the Inspection of STructures) is the software of choice for ACFM inspection with the AMIGO.  ASSIST is the most fully featured software within the ASSIST family of products supporting all standard and array probes in a variety of configurations.

Now available in place of the QFM, ASSISTant (v2.3.06) together with the AMIGO ACFM instrument provides complete instrument control, data collection and analysis for standard ACFM probes only. It is compatible with other software from the ASSIST family of products requiring no re-training.

ASSISTant Ease-of-Use Features

** ASSISTant provides a consistent and easy-to-use interface that reduces operator overheads, for example,
** Has a user friendly button interface, requiring few MS Windows skills and particularly suited to touch screen portable PC's.
** Totally automated saving of inspection data and results for audit and review.
** Mouse/Pen controlled defect marking and sizing.
** Provides professional inspection reports of inspection data and results.
** Contains full online illustrated user manual and procedures.

ASSISTant has all applicable functionality provided by the full ASSIST package and is limited to standard (1 Bx and 1 Bz) ACFM probes.

Many other features come as standard with the ASSIST family of software.
A few of these are outlined below:
** Automatically controls & configures AMIGO instrument operation.
** Provides software zoom and ranging facilities for amplified and closer defect analysis.
** Automated file naming (with date/time stamp).
** Data files are stored by job code and component description, making searching old data easier
** Inspection and results can be annotated for auditing and further analysis
** Is compatible with desktop Microsoft Windows (Win 9x/NT/2000/XP)
** Supports and records the positions of multiple defects per scan
** Provides color region marking for anomalous areas (e.g. seam welds, undercuts)

The new U31D Underwater ACFM Crack Microgauge System is now available.  Representing a significant advance in subsea inspection technology the new instrument has all the advantages of previous underwater system but in a much smaller, light package designed specifically for diver deployment.  The U31D operates with TSC's QFM suite of software thus providing a common operating environment with other ACFM products.  This avoids the need for operator retraining.

Click here to view U31D Product Info

For more detailed information about ACFM Crack Detection and applications click the links below.

ACFM Applications 1
ACFM Applications 2
ACFM Public Safety Applications

Operator Training

Contact NDT International for information.

Lloyds JCSWIP Accredited Operator training courses are held at various centers in the United Kingdom and overseas, details on request. Course duration is 5 working days.
In Europe and the U.K. contact The Welding Institute.

In the United States contact NDT International or Hellier Associates, Houston TX.

Updated April 8, 2008

E-mail to:   info@ndtint.com