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Inside this Issue:

June 2007


  • Interpreting captured sound wave files
  • Equipment Tip - Shielding
  • Archived i-presentations for FREE download
  • Level 1 Training - Minneapolis, MN
  • One-Day Leak Surveyor - Denver, CO
  • 2007 Level 1 Training Schedule

Interpreting your recorded sound wave files so we can all HEAR MORE!

Allan Rienstra, Editor
The Ultrawave Technology Report

Send us an email explaining how you capture ultrasound wave files

Each week we receive requests from ultrasound inspectors just like you to interpret sound wave files recorded from their SDT170. It always proves an interesting challenge to first listen, and then look at wave forms and spectra to help a customer decide what was really detected/recorded.

One of the considerations we have to make here is the conditions under which signals were captured. For example, we recently received a 15 second sound clip of what sounded like arcing on a transformer. Through some email exchanges we were eventually able to make some sense of the file. Some additional information from the inspector helped us look at the file. We needed to determine the distance he was from the transformer for clip 1 and clip 2. In comparing the intensity of the clips we needed to know if there was distance attenuation to account for any differences. We also needed to know if the clip was taken during a side to side sweeping scan, or if the sensor was held stationary during the capture. Ultrasound signals are very directional at 40kHz so the latter is always better. A swept signal could lead to misinterpretation since the intensity would change as the sensor's focal point moved away and then back to the source.

There are lots of other tips to consider when capturing and recording sound wave files from your SDT170 (or other ultrasound instrument). I'd love to HEAR MORE ideas you have discovered during your own inspections. If you have a good tip or idea to share about recording and capturing sound wave files please write me an email. I will select some of them to share in the next issue of The Ultrawave Technology Report.


Equipment Tip - Shielding
Shielding your inspection area from competing ultrasound noise is a crucial skill to master when searching for very low pressure leaks or vacuum leaks. These leaks produce very little ultrasonic turbulence (hissing sound quality) making it necessary to use high amplification levels (A=80dB). We're not talking about a gross leak inspection in this instance. Probably the kind of leak you are searching for is one crucial to a process. For instance, one customer last week complained of vacuum loss on a reactor in his titanium mill. If his reactor cannot hold enough vacuum he cannot maintain temperatures necessary to ensure product quality. Using his SDT170 and a shielding towel he was able to locate enough vacuum leaks while the shielding towel protected his inspection area from other ultrasound noises. He was able to get the reactor up and running after only 45 minutes of leak inspection. On the next schedule outage he will conduct further testing to find the remaining leaks.

Protect your inspection area from competing ultrasounds using a rag or other cloth as a shield

 


Archived i-presentations available for download
Our library of i-presentations are valuable information sources for ultrasound inspectors wishing to learn more about the power of airborne and structure borne ultrasound detection. Each presentation deals with a topic specific to the technology, and conveys an important knowledge base that is normally reserved for paid training classes.

As a leading manufacture of ultrasound products SDT believes it is our responsibility to educate present and future users of the technology. We make this information available to you without cost or obligations. The only thing we ask from you in return is for your name and email address. We promise to guard your privacy and security as though it was our own.

Choose from the Archive list on the right or click on the presentation icon to go directly to the website.

Presentations

Airborne Ultrasound - Predictive Maintenance for the Masses

Implementing Ultrasound Testing at Anheuser-Busch

Ultrasound Tips for More Effective Leak Surveys

Creating an Effective Leak Detection Program

Compressed Air Leak Management - A dual challenge for the planet and the pocket

Acoustic Lubrication Basics

Assigning Costs to Compressed Air Leaks


Level 1 Training - Minneapolis, MN - July 24-26th
Join our fast growing list of Level 1 Certified Ultrasound Inspectors and receive 1.8 Continuing Education Units from ASNT. Those who complete our training write back to tell us about the many wins made with their new borne ultrasound program

Our next class is filling fast. Don't miss the only class to be offered in Minnesota in 2007.

Register L1

Holiday Inn - Minneapolis Metrodome
1500 Washington Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 612-334-1310
Fax:     612-333-7910

SDT Corporate Room Rates: 109.00 Single

Offers Complimentary Airport Shuttle Service

Do you have what it takes to become a Bionic Tradesman?


1 Day Leak Surveyor Training - Denver, CO July 17, 2007

Implementing an ultrasound compressed air leak survey program that is both effective and enduring is a challenge faced by nearly every company that has tried. Standing between success and failure are several roadblocks including time constraint, manpower shortages, conflicting priorities, and the need to prove the impact the program will have first; often before funds are approved to start the project... learn more

Our training aids are the best in the world. Endless research went into developing equipment that most closely simulates your plant floor environment. Any more realistic and you'd have to be in the factory.  Several companies have purchased our training aids for their own "train the trainer" programs.  Register for Denver today - Class closes soon

Register 1-day


2007 Level 1 Training Schedule Leak Detection Techniques
  • Minneapolis, MN - July 24-26
  • Portland, OR - August 7-9
  • Nashville, TN - August 28-30
  • Queretaro, MX - September 10-12
  • Singapore - September 18-20
  • Pittsburgh, PA - September 25-27
  • San Jose, CA - October 23-25
  • Kansas City, MO - November 6-7
  • Atlanta, GA - December 4-5

Click here for full details

Register L1

The key to learning is hands-on practical experience. Here students get real world training detecting leaks on a pneumatic bed at SMC Pneumatics Chilean headquarters. These are life experiences that make the difference for your compressed air surveyor program


We take your privacy seriously
The Ultrawave Technology Report is published regularly by SDT North America and is intended to provide information to anyone with an interest in this technology about current and future events.  If you have questions about this email or the format in which its received please contact Allan Rienstra.  If you do not wish to receive these updates you can request removal from the list at anytime by sending an email to allan@sdtnorthamerica.com.

You can also reach us by telephone at (905) 377-1313 (International) or 1-800-667-5325 (USA & Canada)
SDT North America, PO Box 682, Cobourg, ON - K9A 4R5


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