Summary

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) refers to a range of techniques used to evaluate the properties of a material, component, or system without causing damage. NDE is crucial in various industries, including aerospace, defense, casting, welding, energy, automotive, additive manufacturing, and electronics, as it ensures the integrity and reliability of products and structures.

Description

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) for Industrial Inspection is an intensive, three-day course that equips engineers, scientists, technicians, implementers, and managers with a practical understanding of modern inspection methods used to assess materials and components without causing damage. Participants build a common vocabulary for NDE and learn how to select fit-for-purpose techniques based on material type, defect mechanisms, access, and required sensitivity. The course surveys surface and volumetric methods and connects fundamentals to real inspection decisions through examples and case studies. Key topics include ultrasonic testing, radiographic inspection (film, computed and digital radiography, CT and real-time methods), eddy current testing, liquid penetrant and magnetic particle inspection, and thermal/thermographic inspection, plus an overview of additional approaches such as visual inspection, shearography, terahertz, acoustic emission, structural health monitoring, and emerging uses of AI/ML. Attendees leave prepared to engage with standards, employer procedures, and certification pathways.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction. NDE in the Big Picture, What is NDE and Where is it used, NDE Methods covered in this training, NDE History, Surface and Volumetric NDE methods, Structural Health Monitoring, Discontinuities in various materials (castings, composites, additive), Calibration and standardization, Employer procedures, NASA STD 5009, NDE Terminology
2.  Ultrasonic Inspection. Modes of ultrasonic waves, major variables in ultrasonic inspection, attenuation of ultrasonic beams, equipment, computerized automated scanning, testing methods, ultrasound generation, acoustic microscopy, inspection standards, thickness measurement, ultrasonic characterization in microstructural studies, spectral analysis, case studies, latest trends.
3. Radiographic Inspection. Radiation fundamentals, radiation image formation, image quality and radiographic sensitivity, radiographic interpretation, methods including film, computed radiography, digital radiography, computed tomography, real-time radiography, image quality indicators, important parameters for system characterization, inspection standards, case studies, safety, latest trends.
4. Eddy Current Inspection. Basic principles, impedance plane concept, nature of eddy current, parameters affecting eddy current response, flaws detectable by eddy current characterization, reference samples, basic inspection system, inspection coils, methods for discrimination of competing effects, case studies, latest trends.
5. Liquid Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Inspection. Principles of both methods, penetrant material types, removal methods, sensitivity, visual examination, safety, latest trends.
6. Thermal Inspection. Principles, establishing heat flow, thermal sensors, thermographic imaging, inspection standards, case studies, latest trends.
7. Summary coverage of Many Other NDE Methods. Visual, shearography, terahertz, microwave, acoustic emission, neutron imaging, structural health monitoring, artificial intelligence and machine learning in NDE.

What You Will Learn:

• Terminology, concepts, applications and standards related to nondestructive evaluation and inspection
• The range of NDE methods and the most common and important NDE methods
• Which methods to apply depending on specific application From this course you will obtain the knowledge to understand the range of NDE methods available and when to apply them.

Instructor(s):

Don J. Roth, Ph.D. has 40+ years in the NDT, Aerospace, and Aviation industry. He has had the roles of NDE team lead, Principal Engineer, Inspection Fellow, ASNT and NAS-410 RT/DR/CT Level III, and Global Applications Team Leader at various organizations.  These include at NASA, GE Aviation, GE / Waygate Inspection Technologies, and Joby Aviation.  He is currently President and Consultant at Roth Technical Consulting, LLC\Global X-ray Inspection Institute and serves as the Inspection Technical Fellow for Wohlers Associates powered by ASTM International.  Dr. Roth has a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Case Western Reserve University.

Who Should Attend:

This three-day course is designed is designed for engineers, scientists, technicians, implementers, and managers who need to understand and apply current NDE methods.