Ultrasonic defect sizing with manual and semi-automatic system

In the outages of nuclear power plants, conventional power stations and oil refineries the majority of defect sizing is carried out manually, because the installation time for mechanised inspection system is high and the result of inspection is not shown to be more accurate in general. This review discusses defects sizing and compares sizing performed manually and with a semi-automated system. With the help of the semi-automated system described here it is possible to collect the inspection data in a computer and to analyse it more accurately after inspection. The advantages and disadvantages of this system are discussed. The system can be used as a defect sizing tool in manual inspections as well as to complete mechanised ultrasonic inspection of objects which can be inspected with a mechanised system only partly or not at all. (orig.)