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UT Machine: Ultrasonic Testing Machines & Equipment
When manufacturers need to inspect tube, pipe, bar, or other metal products without damaging the material, an ultrasonic testing machine (UT machine) provides a reliable nondestructive testing solution.
Ultrasonic testing (UT) uses high-frequency sound waves to detect discontinuities below the surface of a material. Depending on the system configuration, UT can detect cracks, seams, laminations, inclusions, voids, wall-thickness variations, and other defects while products move through a production line.
Magnetic Analysis Corporation (MAC®) offers complete ultrasonic testing solutions, including Echomac® UT rotaries, Echomac® ultrasonic electronics, phased array technology, and automated inspection systems for tube, pipe, bar, and specialty applications.
What Is a UT Machine?
A UT machine uses ultrasonic energy to inspect material for defects or measure characteristics such as wall thickness. A complete industrial UT system can include ultrasonic electronics, transducers, a rotary or gantry mechanism, water/couplant systems, material handling, controls, software, and data acquisition.
For tube and bar inspection, a UT rotary can position multiple transducers around the product while it moves through the inspection station. This allows manufacturers to achieve high-speed, automated inspection and, depending on the configuration, 100% coverage.
MAC® Echomac® UT Rotaries
MAC's Echomac® UT rotaries are designed for high-speed inspection of tubular and round products. Different rotary configurations accommodate different product diameters and inspection requirements.
The systems can be configured for applications including:
- Seamless and welded tube
- OCTG, as second test method requirement
- Heat exchanger and boiler tube
- Aerospace tube
- Medical tube and bar
- Round bar
- Hex bar/tube
- Specialty steel
- Small diameter products
MAC's Echomac® 25mm UT Rotary, for example, is designed for products from approximately 5–25 mm in diameter and can inspect wall thicknesses as thin as 0.3 mm. The system can be configured for shear-wave testing of longitudinal and transverse defects as well as compression-wave testing for internal defects and dimensional measurements.
Echomac® Ultrasonic Electronics
The rotary is only one part of a complete UT machine. MAC's Echomac® II electronics provide ultrasonic signal generation, processing, and analysis.
Depending on the configuration, Echomac® electronics can support flaw detection, thickness measurement, dimensional measurement, and integration with rotary, immersion, bubbler, and other ultrasonic inspection systems.
Combining the appropriate electronics with a UT rotary allows MAC to develop an inspection system around the customer's product size, defect requirements, production speed, and inspection specifications.
What Can Ultrasonic Testing Detect?
Depending on the technique and configuration, ultrasonic testing can detect:
- Cracks
- Seams
- Laminations
- Inclusions
- Voids
- Internal discontinuities
- Surface and subsurface defects
- Wall-thickness variations
- Dimensional variations
UT can also be used for thickness and dimensional measurements, making it valuable for both quality control and semi-automated production on-line inspection.
How Many Types of UT Are There?
There is no single number of UT methods because ultrasonic testing can be categorized in several ways. Common techniques include:
- Pulse-echo testing
- Through-transmission testing
- Compression-wave testing
- Shear-wave testing
- Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT)
- Immersion testing
- Automated ultrasonic testing (AUT)
The appropriate technique depends on the material, product geometry, defect type, inspection coverage, and production speed.
Frequently Asked Questions About UT Machines
What is an ultrasonic machine used for?
An ultrasonic machine is used to inspect materials without destroying them. Industrial applications include tube, pipe, bar, aerospace, medical, nuclear, and specialty steel inspection.
What equipment is used for ultrasonic testing?
A complete UT system may include ultrasonic electronics, transducers, a UT rotary or scanning mechanism, water/couplant equipment, material handling, controls, software, and data acquisition.
Can you give me an example of an ultrasonic sensor?
An ultrasonic transducer is an example of an ultrasonic sensor. It sends ultrasonic waves into the material and receives returning signals that can be analyzed for defects or dimensional information.
Find the Right UT Machine for Your Application
Choosing the right UT machine starts with understanding the product and inspection requirements. MAC can help manufacturers determine the appropriate combination of Echomac® UT rotaries, ultrasonic electronics, transducers, and automation for their application.
Looking for an ultrasonic testing machine for tube, pipe, bar, or specialty products? Contact MAC® to discuss your inspection requirements and find the right UT solution.