The CSIC has developed an ultrasounds system for the non-destructive evaluation of components and materials, which can obtain three-dimensional, autofocused images in real time, even in the case of composite materials (composites) with complex geometry. It is particularly useful for testing composites and has applications in aeronautics, high-performance automotive and similar fields.

The system uses matrix arrays together with robust auto-focusing and ultra-fast image composition algorithms, which set a new paradigm in automatic ultrasonic inspection systems. The main limitations of current automatic immersion ultrasonic inspection systems are the need to know previously the geometry of the component, to define a controlled trajectory and to pre-calculate the focusing delays.

Manual calibrations are required very often, and it is necessary to be very aware of any variation in the environment where the component to be inspected is located, which is normally analysed underwater.

The whole process is complex and costly, and must be repeated for each new component to be inspected.

A team from the Instituto de Tecnologías Físicas y de la Información "Leonardo Torres Quevedo" (ITEFI) CSIC has developed a system that allows the whole process to be carried out automatically. This significantly improves the quality, flexibility and productivity of current immersion ultrasonic inspection systems, even for components made of composite materials (composites).

The system uses matrix arrays together with robust auto-focusing and ultra-fast image composition algorithms, which set a new paradigm in automatic ultrasonic inspection systems. The system can steer the ultrasonic beam in any direction, and has an innovative method to automatically detect the surface at each shot and to calculate the focal laws and image generation in real time.

This minimises planning work and allows systems to tolerate misalignment and geometry changes on the component in real time and at high inspection speeds (with linear speeds of up to 500 mm/s, depending on the size of the image to be generated).

It is ideal for the inspection of small and medium-sized components with complex geometry, which are currently inspected manually and without registration.

The research team is now looking for companies interested in licensing the patent for the commercialisation of the system and its industrial application.

Contact:

Marc Escamilla Nacher
Departamento de Transferencia de Conocimiento
Delegación Institucional
de la Comunidad Valenciana - CSIC
Tel.: (+34) 961 612 995
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.