Top 6 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector Manufacturers

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Searching for a suitable ultrasonic flaw detector manufacturer can be an endless unfruitful toil, especially when unsure of where to look. 

An ultrasonic flaw detector is an essential tool for most non-destructive tests. Getting a suitable one depends on finding a reliable supplier with extensive years of successful delivery of quality ultrasonic flaw detectors in the industry. 

This article will give you 6 of the top ultrasonic flaw detector manufacturers in the industry today, highlighting their location, profile, and most popular products. 

So, if you are ready, let&#;s dive in.

 

 

I. Top 6 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector Manufacturers

 

Here is a list of the top 6 ultrasonic flaw detector manufacturers today and why they are regarded as one of the best manufacturers.

 

Rank

Ultrasonic Flaw Detector Manufacturer

Headquarter

1

Krautkramer

US

2

Olympus

Tokyo, Japan

3

NDT-KITS

Hong Kong, China

4

Zetec

Washington, USA

5

Sonatest 

Milton Keyes, UK

6

Dakota

California, US

 

1. Krautkramer

 

 

• Headquarter

  s: United States of America 

 

• Company Background

  : It started in as one of the first companies to lead the manufacture of X-ray machines under the name SEIFERT. After many years in the industry, it has mastered the production of quality ultrasonic testing equipment, including ultrasonic flaw detectors and scanners. They have also acquired many other companies and technologies in nuclear instrumentation and radiation measurement, industrial control systems, condition monitoring, sensors, and inspection, as well as other non-destructive testing technologies. While increasing their portfolio offerings, these various acquisitions have also established them as a leading force in the NDT space. The name Krautkramer is the arm of ultrasonic testing and portable inspection solutions of Baker Hughes. 

 

• Popular Products

  : Ultrasonic testing equipment like flaw detectors, scanners, probes and wedges, and thickness gauges.

 

• Recommend Reason

  : They produce quality, technologically advanced ultrasonic testing equipment which is very intuitive and easy to operate. 

 

 

2. Olympus

 

 

• Headquarters

  : Tokyo, Japan 

 

• Company Background

  :

  For over a century, the Olympus brand has been known for its pioneering and innovative ultrasonic testing equipment manufacture. In , while it was still known as Takachiho Seisakusho, Olympus started as a microscope manufacturer. It quickly moved on to manufacturing cameras and other optical instruments in the s and s. After a change of company name and management, Olympus manufactured some of the firsts in the optical inspection industry, including a gastrocamera and the Olympus pen (a half-sized camera). Olympus quickly grew its production facilities and technological resources to modernize and increase its revenue which it has achieved as they are now well-represented in most continents and regions worldwide. 

 

• Popular Products

  :

  Ultrasonic scanners and flaw detectors, endoscopes and videoscopes, thickness gauges, transducers and probes, XRD, and XRF analyzers.

 

• Recommend Reason

  :

  Their extensive years of experience in the NDT industry and their diverse NDT solutions stands them out. 

 

 

3. NDT-KITS

 

 

• Headquarter

  s: Hong Kong, China

 

• Company Background

  : NDT-KITS is a leading ultrasonic flaw detector manufacturer with over three decades of industry experience. With a focus on research and development, this company has produced some of the most innovative and advanced ultrasonic testing devices nationally and internationally. As a high-tech company, NDT-KITS has a strong presence in the non-destructive testing industry, with highly qualified professionals doling out various bespoke NDT solutions to its teeming customers. Their commitment to quality is non-negotiable. They strive to satisfy customers with their manufacturing processes to acquire the most prestigious and internationally recognized ISO : Quality Management System Certification. They serve various industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, power generation, electronics, and maritime.

 

• Popular Products

  : Ultrasonic flaw detectors, scanners, probes and wedges, thickness gauges, phased array transducers, calibration blocks, and electrical conductivity meter. 

 

• Recommend Reason:

  Very innovative and cost-effective ultrasonic testing solutions at competitive pricing give them an edge in the industry.

 

4. Zetec

 

 

• Headquarter

  s: Washington, USA

 

• Company Background

  : Established in from a small office in Washington, US, with a single-frequency eddy current tester as its only product, Zetec is a non-destructive testing equipment manufacturer. Though its beginning was small, the company has grown to become a leading force in the industry with many more non-destructive inspection instruments, including ultrasonic flaw detectors. After its first product, which won Zetec their first government contract, they have invested a lot into research and development, which allows them to work with different industries, including nuclear power generation, automotive, electronic, oil and gas, and military. These opportunities have also led to its expansion over its 50 years. Their offices and centers are in Canada, France, South Korea, China, and Japan. Zetec&#;s mission is to make the world a safer place with precision-based quality assessment equipment. 

 

• Popular Products

  : Ultrasonic flaw detectors, probes, thickness gauges, transducers, eddy current instrument.

 

• Recommend Reason

  : They have extensive years of experience in the industry with several NDT equipment.

 

 

5. Sonatest

 

 

• Headquarter

  s: Milton Keyes, UK

 

• Company Background:

  Since its establishment in , Sonatest has been one of the innovative NDT equipment manufacturing companies with many products in its portfolio. They are involved in the design, development, and manufacturing of some basic and advanced tools in the NDT industry, some of which include ultrasonic flaw detectors. They have some blue-chip and multinational companies as their customers, including Airbus, Shell, and Siemens. Additionally, Sonatest partners with some other subsidiaries worldwide to help reach other corners of the world and increase their global footprint. 

 

• Popular Products

  : Ultrasonic flaw detectors, probes, wedges, thickness gauges, scanners, couplants, accessories, proprietary software. 

  If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Ndt Flaw Detector.

 

• Recommend Reason

  : Their products are reliable, accurate, and rugged to withstand some of the harshest environmental conditions. 

 

 

6. Dakota

 

 

• Headquarter

  s: California, United States of America 

 

• Company Background

  : Since , when it became a corporate entity, Dakota Ultrasonics has been known for its quality ultrasonic testing equipment. Their wide range of ultrasonic equipment and the multitude of industries they serve ensures that they are always at the forefront of innovation while providing solutions. Some of the industries they serve include electronics, medical, maritime, construction, mining, and agriculture. 

 

• Popular Products

  : Ultrasonic flaw detectors, thickness gauges, bolting equipment, Sonic testers, and bolting monitors.

 

• Recommend Reason

  : They have a wide range of products with huge applications serving many industries. 

 

 

II. Tips in Finding a Reliable Ultrasonic Flaw Detector Manufacturers

 

Finding a reliable manufacturer that can meet all your quality assessment requirements can sometimes be like searching for a pin in a haystack. Even though there are many of them online these days, knowing the essential criteria to check can help you quickly screen out the unreliable ones. Here are some practical tips to make your search as easy as pie.

 

• Research how solid the ultrasonic flaw detector manufacturer is

The level of investment, private facility, year of establishment, and the number of countries where a company is present are all details that can help you identify how reliable a company is. Therefore, a company must have a significant capital base in many countries and with very many years of existence in the industry to pass as a solid flaw detector manufacturer. 

• Check whether the company&#;s product types are multi-choice

Choosing a preference based on your inspection requirements is a huge factor in choosing a reliable flaw detector manufacturer. If their products cannot give you options for making an inspection-specific choice, you may not be reliable. 

• Review the customers&#; feedback on the supplier

A reliable supplier will always satisfy more than half of its customers. Hence checking the feedback of a suppliers&#; customers can give you an idea of how the supplier may eventually treat you once you place your order. The more positive feedback from suppliers&#; customers, the better reliable they are. 

• Determine the how much support you can get

Many suppliers are just out to deliver your orders with recourse to how you fair while using the flaw detector. However, frustration can set in when you need help with a challenging situation while using the flaw detector. The frustration can become double without adequate support from the supplier in such situations. Hence, a supplier with a responsive support team shows high reliability and should be preferred. 

• Know about the delivery time and warranty

Your supplier turnaround time after placing your order can significantly affect your inspection objectives, for good or bad. Delay in delivery can delay your operations and result in a loss of production time and even profit. Hence, select a supplier with the shortest delivery time of all the manufacturers you may be considering. Also, the warranty from a supplier is a sign of reliability as the supplier is ready to take responsibility for any fault in the equipment for a given period. 

 

 

III. How do I Choose the Best Ultrasonic Flaw Detector?

 

Here are the most critical factors you should have handy when selecting the best ultrasonic flaw detector for your peculiar use.

 

Price: Based on your budget, the price may probably be the most crucial factor you should consider. Suppose the flaw detector price is way above your budget, especially when the features are not necessarily what you require. 

Accuracy: The level of accuracy is another important criterion for selecting a suitable ultrasonic flaw detector for your peculiar inspection needs. If the level of accuracy is low, then it means the flaw detector has a reduced ability to detect flaws in a component and should not be chosen for your inspection. 

Range: The range of application of a flaw detector is another essential factor you should critically consider in making your choice. You wouldn&#;t need to start looking for a specialized Ultrasonic flaw detector anytime you have a new inspection. 

 

&#; Related Article: How to Choose Ultrasonic Flaw Detector?

 

 

IV. Import Budget Ultrasonic Flaw Detector from China

 

It&#;s not a secret that China is a fast-rising industrial economy. Chinese manufacturers are one of the biggest in the market, with high-quality manufacturing equipment and product due to governmental policies and assistance. China is also home to a large pool of professionals willing and able to contribute to the manufacturing economy, making the cost of production very low. However, what is fascinating is that most business quality assessment professionals are not taking advantage of Chinese manufacturing by patronizing Chinese manufacturers with high-quality products and competitive prices. 

One of such Chinese manufacturers is NDT-KITS are leading manufacturer of ultrasonic testing equipment and other non-destructive testing products. They have over three decades of manufacturing some of the most innovative NDT products in the market, starting with the pioneering of the first digital flaw detection equipment in China back in the s. But that&#;s not all. NDT-KITS is also known for its heavy investment in research and development. Its highly qualified and experienced team of engineers and technicians is saddled with manufacturing some of the most practical industrial testing solutions. 

Getting your ultrasonic flaw detectors gives you many advantages, one of which is excellent customer support. They have an excellent customer support team dedicated and available to respond to customers&#; inquiries before, during, and after the delivery of an order. However, their most significant benefit is their competitive pricing, unparalleled by their American or European counterparts with the same quality.

 

&#; Related Article: How to Import Ultrasonic Flaw Detectors from China?

 

 

Conclusion

Your choice of a great supplier is often determined by your inspection objective then your budget. Identifying the purpose of your inspection is always a great place to start your selection. Then, your budget, the level of accuracy you require, and the range of flaws and products you intend to inspect can be a follow-up criterion. Nonetheless, you&#;ll get plenty of benefits if you order your ultrasonic flaw detector from a Chinese supplier like NDT-KITS. They offer great value for money and have a short turnaround time for delivering your order. 

 

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Flaw detection is the primary focus of all nondestructive testing (NDT) inspections. But before we dive into actual flaw detection, we need to have a solid understanding of what a flaw is. The term has been the subject of many discussions and debates within the NDT community for years. In fact, as recently as only a few years ago, you could find several different definitions of flaw, across many NDT procedures and specification glossaries. It was even defined differently within ASNT&#;s own NDT glossaries for various methods. The Ultrasonic glossary defined it as &#;an anomaly or unintended discontinuity&#; while the Visual glossary stated it was a &#;rejectable anomaly.&#; So, these inconsistent definitions have caused much confusion and have led many to use the terms indication, defect, and discontinuity as interchangeable words for the term flaw. But, in reality, this is not correct. The proper definition of a flaw is &#;an indication which is determined to be a discontinuity, but does not exceed rejection limits.&#; Once a flaw exceeds rejection limits, it becomes a defect.

Viewing x-rays. Image source: Weaver NDT

Flaws are the targets of nearly all NDT inspections. They can be found in every type of material and component, no matter the method of manufacturing, processing, or finishing used. They can also develop due to service use and this creates a new secondary detection that must be performed at specific intervals. All of this means that selecting the proper detection method is crucial. Because, even if a flaw is not actually a defect, you still want to be able to detect and evaluate them.

Flaws are typically categorized into four groups:

• Inherent - originating during the raw material process, such as a casting process.
  Includes: shrinkage, cold shut, porosity, cracks, inclusions, and segregation
• Primary Processing - developing from material forming, like forging and rolling processes.
  Includes: laminations, stringers, seams, laps, gouging, and cracks
• Secondary Processing - induced by material finishing, operations like grinding and machining.
  Includes: tears and cracks caused by grinding, pickling, and heat treatment(s)
• Service - originating due to service conditions, like cyclic loading or environmental situations.
  Includes: corrosion, stretch, and cracks caused by fatigue, creep, and hydrogen embrittlement

Visual crack Image source: Weaver NDT

These four groups have different types of flaws associated with them. There are other flaws beyond those listed. However, a crack could occur during any one of the groups, but the root cause of a crack would develop from many different forms of failure mechanisms.

Flaws also come in many different sizes, orientations, and shapes and they can even be small material differences that are hard to identify. Because of all these variations, detection of flaws may be difficult, and it can require a combination of several inspections to provide full part coverage. The inspection method selection will have a huge impact on the success of an evaluation&#;s sensitivity and detectability.

Each NDT method has its advantages and disadvantages, so knowing what your flaws of interest are and where they tend to be located can be extremely helpful. To help with this, there are a few easy ways to select the appropriate method for your specific flaw detection need. The most basic thing is the location of the flaws, are they internal or external? If they are one or the other, you can eliminate about half of all the methods.

For external flaws, the most common and widely used method of detection is visual testing (VT). If you have good access to the entire area of focus, then it is possible that the only inspection you may need is visual. Usually though, for critical parts, visual inspections will need to be accompanied by an additional external inspection that is either a visual aided inspection like liquid penetrant testing (PT) or magnetic particle testing (MT) or by a probing method like electromagnetic testing (ET) and surface ultrasonic testing (UT). This is especially true when tight surface flaws are the targets of the inspection.

Magnified Visual Shape Defect Image source: Weaver NDT

For internal flaws, the most common method is radiographic testing (RT). Radiography is especially useful when the subjects have complex geometry. In many cases, the internal design will make RT the only option when flaw detection and visual images are required. If images and location of defect is not required, then resonance inspection (RI) is another possible internal detection method. Gaining access to all inspection areas of a part can be difficult the more complex a part design is, but for many parts where this access is possible, alternate internal methods like ultrasonic testing (UT) and phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) can be used.

After the internal and external methods are selected, the next key thing to consider is method optimization. As an example, we consider both radiographic testing (RT) and liquid penetrant (PT). For RT, the density and geometry of the component will play a large role in optimizing the RT to ensure that the best flaw detection is possible. The three main items of optimization are: 1) X-ray tube power, enough to provide proper penetration of the subject part. 2) X-ray film, image plate, or detector sensitivity, high enough to provide the required sensitivity. 3) Inspectors need to be properly trained, qualified, and certified.

X-ray porosity Image source: Weaver NDT

For PT, the main items are: 1) penetrant type, method, and sensitivity level 2) developer type 3) proper timing of all the critical processing steps. 4) Inspectors need to be properly trained, qualified, and certified. Any method that is selected will have some aspects that need to be considered, evaluated, and experimented with, to ensure the best chance of flaw detection.

The last, and certainly not the least, piece of any flaw detection program is proper personnel training, qualification, and certification. All the best tools in the world need to have the right people operating them. Every company that is responsible for inspections should have what is called a written practice. This document should lay out all the requirements for formal training, experience, qualification, certification, and recertification for all NDT methods. There are guides and standards that these documents should be written from that when done properly should help ensure that your inspectors can consistently detect flaws of interest.

To review, a flaw is &#;an indication which is determined to be a discontinuity, but does not exceed rejection limits.&#; Successful detection of flaws has several main components, proper NDT method selection, optimization of the methods selected, and properly trained and certified inspectors performing the inspections. If all of these are done properly, your flaws of interest should be detected.

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