standard, code-specific, and custom. Standard specimens, such as the company’s Ultrasonic Testing Kit, are designed to contain flaws typical for a certain method. The flaw types and sizes are not dictated by any certain code, but are manufactured to a generally representative size that will be adequate for training or testing a technician. Code-specific specimens are typically part of a kit, or group of specimens, manufactured to meet the criteria of a specific code. These could be manufactured to be acceptable or rejectable in accordance with the applicable code, with a mixture of both usually being the most desirable scenario. Code-specific specimens for various API, AWS, and ASME codes and code cases are available. Although the general requirements for a flawed specimen for a particular inspection method allow for off-theshelf items to be manufactured, custom specimens are in great demand to support specific inspection applications. This requires close cooperation between customer and manufacturer to create a flawed specimen with the exact flaw design and overall configuration that is most relevant to the customer’s unique need. The typical process involves an agreement on flaw distribution and size, as well as applicable tolerances, before manufacturing. Also, issues such as required inspections, quality assurance, and final acceptance requirements should be discussed and agreed upon prior to project commencement. Conclusion Just as the world of NDE is vast and encompasses a multitude of inspection methods, the need for known defects is also varied and evolving. These known defects provide a quantified and reliable standard for NDE applications. It is, and will continue to be, imperative for the flaw manufacturer to stay in tune with industry and technological changes to create realistic and accurate defects to support the full breadth of NDE. ALAN CAULDER (acaulder@flawtech.com) is vice president, FlawTech, Concord, N.C. He has been with the company for 11 years and is responsible for managing all production activities as well as overseeing implementation of the company’s quality program. The company was started by the late Dr. George Pherigo, a forefather of the NDE field, who created the first college program for NDE, then known as Metal Testing Technology, at Hutchinson Vocational-Technical School (now Ridgewater College), Hutchinson, Minn. FlawTech has manufactured flawed specimens for more than 30 years. In hydrotesting, time is money. We save you both. The GripTight® high pressure test plug uses proven self gripping features to safely, quickly, and effectively test pipe — whether it’s pipe spools, pipe rack modules or process modules. The greater the test pressure, the greater the grip. Available to ANSI N45.2 and 10CFR50 Appendix B quality requirements. EST Group is ISO-9001 certified. When time equals money, add GripTight to the equation. We invite you to see all that we can do for you at http://estgroup.cwfc.com For info go to www.aws.org/ad-index For info go to www.aws.org/ad-index Inspection Trends / Summer 2013 21
Inspection Trends | Summer 2013
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