Tap testing is an early-established NDT technique and is still used for sub surface inspection of composite materials particularly in non-critical applications. It is applied by gently tapping the part to be inspected with a hammer and a technician listening for a change in sound. Through ongoing technology advancement, the listening part has been replaced by a transducer that displays and stores the captured sound. Originally applied manually, the technique is susceptible to operator error and dependent on the operator’s experience.
Here at TWI Technology Centre Wales, we are leading the way with the automation, digital processing and 3D visualisation of inspection data and have just completed an investigation showing that Tap testing is still highly relevant in today's high technology industries.
The video shows an automated setup that removes operator error and is capable of displaying reliable 2D inspection scans that clearly highlight any defect present. The prototype also has the ability to be scaled up for field inspection of large structures. The Cobot with tap tester is mounted on a mobile platform and the structure can be inspected by “stitching” the inspection data together.
This development is highly relevant to the aerospace industry but also wind turbine inspection industries.
