Laser NDT, DIC systems demonstrate optimized noncontact composites inspection

Dantec Dynamics (Holtsville, N.Y., U.S.) is exhibiting its laser shearography nondestructive testing (NDT) and digital image correlation (DIC) devices. Presented products will include the company’s FlawHunter NDT system, FlawExplorer and MulticamDIC.

Laser shearography NDT is an optical, NDT measurement technique that is used for the inspection of composite materials, including laminates, honeycombs, sandwiches, bonded and coated components, rubber, spray foams and sealants. Laser shearography provides high inspection rates (i.e., m²/sec), low sample preparation times and simple automatability.

DIC is also an optical, noncontact measurement technique, though it is used to determine the shape (contour), displacement and strain for experimental solid mechanic applications in materials testing. The technique can also be used to determine kinematic quantities of discrete points, such as rotations, velocities and accelerations.

On display is the FlawHunter NDT system, an integrated NDT inspection device equipped with a high-resolution laser shearography sensor with a vacuum (partial) excitation system. It is said to be ergonomic and easy to use, with a workflow-oriented GUI display and left/right-hand button control. Regardless of the application, the FlawHunter provides reliable and resolute measurement results for in-field (service) NDT and quality control (post-production) operations, according to the company.

The FlawExplorer is a laser shearography NDT sensor designed to be used for post-production quality control applications or in-field (in-service) component inspections. Depending on the application, the sensor can be configured with thermal or vacuum (partial) excitation systems and may also be automated. It incorporates phase-shifting technology intended to deliver accurate and reliable measurement results through clear and sharp imaging with sub-micrometer displacement resolution.

The MulticamDIC is a combined, stereo-rig array, DIC measurement system consisting of four or more (up to 16), USB3 or GigE cameras. This application-specific measurement system gives testing engineers the ability to perform large-scale and complex (contoured) surface testing of sub-(components) and structures.

The FlawExplorer Laser Shearography NDT and DIC systems are being used together to demonstrate an internal pressure test of a composite-overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV).