Remote Laser-Based Ultrasonic Inspection of Weld Joints for High Volume Industrial Applications

The ability for manufacturers to implement economic techniques for process control and quality assurance can significantly contribute to their competitiveness in the world market. Consequently, many manufacturers would like to determine the quality of their products by conducting the appropriate quantitative tests at suitable stages during production. In addition, an in-line capability for real-time intelligent process-control is desirable. Many of the weld joints produced today are inspected off-line using destructive sectioning and visual examination. Due to the limited number of parts available for this type of testing, the process control is statistical in nature and 100% certification is impossible. Furthermore, visual inspection cannot directly or accurately measure many important material parameters of the weld and the parent material. A better solution to the problem would be a real-time, nondestructive, noncontact technique for weld joint inspection and feedback control of the welder.</p