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INSPECTION TRENDS — October 2005 — Fall · Volume 8 · Number 4

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Fall Features

Interactive Reporting of Remote Visual Inspection Results
by J. Disser
Methods of recording and reporting remote visual inspection (RVI) results have changed dramatically in recent years. Not too long ago, an inspector might view through a borescope or fiberscope eyepiece, then write down and sketch what he saw — that was the recording and the reporting. On the recording side, steady advancements have been made into 35-mm photography, videotape, digital still imaging, and, more recently, full-motion digital video. Advances in reporting (the compilation and organization of the raw data — images — into usable information) have not been as steady. And, while they have certainly made sending images easier, by themselves, computers and the Internet are not a solution.

In-Process Ultrasonic Resistance Weld Inspection
by J. E. Sutter
Resistance welding has been a cheap and easy method of joining metals for many years. Inspection and quality assurance for this method have, however, been less than desirable. For years, the only way to determine if a resistance weld is good or not has been through the use of destructive testing. There are several destructive tests that can be performed on a spot weld. The most common destructive test is the “pull test,” which is based on welding two pieces of test metal, often called a “coupon” — Fig. 1.

Spotlight on Portable Lighting
by W. Kaihatu
Having the right kind of tools at hand is critical for inspection professionals to do their jobs effectively. Frequently, having just the right flashlight can make all the difference, speeding inspection time, pinpointing hard-to-spot problems, and, in general, increasing overall efficiency.

With recent advances in lighting technology, inspection professionals have a wide range of high-performance flashlights available — from lightweight, hand-held rechargeable lights that deliver bright light wherever it’s needed, to specialized lights for specific tasks. Typically, those performing inspection tasks keep several flashlights handy.

Inspecting Welds in Galvanized Steel
by G. E. Smith and R. M. Beldyk
Zinc galvanization, per square foot per year, is the most cost-effective means of corrosion protection in the world today, yet the process of galvanizing steel has been a little understood technology for more than a hundred years. Most persons, including welding inspectors, think of galvanization as a covering layer that sometimes rusts and sometimes peels off. Both of these conditions are thought to be the fault of the galvanizer. That is probably the most incorrect thought about the metal protection industry today.

What is Galvanization?
Zinc galvanization is a process where the electromotive metal is applied by dipping a steel item (Fig. 1) into molten zinc, which then forms a durable bond to the iron at the atomic level.

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INSPECTION TRENDS
(ISSN 1523-7168) is published quarterly by the American Welding Society. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL 33126; telephone (305) 443-9353. Printed by R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co., Senatobia, Miss. Subscriptions $30.00 per year for noncertified, nonmembers in the United States and its possessions; $50.00 per year in foreign countries; $20.00 per year for noncertified members and students; $10.00 single issue for nonmembers and $7.00 single issue for members. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Inspection Trends c/o American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL 33126-5671.

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