Weld Energy Reduction by Using Concurrent Nondestructive Evaluation. Final Report

摘要

In-process inspection of partially completed welds is shown to be feasible and to have the potential of large economic and productivity improvements in certain circumstances. Ultrasonic inspection of the weld and analysis by an automatic pattern-recognition system has a flaw detection rate of 90 to 95% with a false call rate of about 8%. The pattern-recognition system uses cues that human observers use to discriminate between good and flawed weld. The system has the potential to discriminate among types of flaws. An application analysis shows a potential savings of over $21 per foot of weld on two in. thick plates such as used for pressure vessel fabrication. 5 refs., 15 figs., 8 tabs. (ERA citation 10:046459)