A weld inspection method including an automated dye penetration process

An inspection and crack detection method for weldments on a nuclear reactor vessel cover, is presented; it involves spraying a developer product onto the welded surface to be controlled, through a nozzle mounted on a pressure gun; the dye penetration test is driven by a computer which controls the injection pressure, the nozzle travelling speed and the motion of a shutter which role is to prevent that developer product is sprayed during the nozzle opening and shutting transients in order to achieve a perfectly homogenous developer layer on the weldment surface