New Ultrasonic Probe Selection Site from GE

http://www.ge-mcs.com

The Inspection Technologies business of GE Measurement & Control has
introduced a new dedicated website, which significantly facilitates the selection
of ultrasonic probes used in non-destructive testing (NDT). The comprehensive
site offers four selection methods and caters for personnel who are new to
probe selection as well as for NDT experts. No matter what the level of
expertise, the easy-to-navigate site will prove invaluable to the NDT sector,
where over 600 standard ultrasonic probe versions are available from GE’s
Inspection Technologies business alone.

As Weiwei Zhang, GE’s probe product manager, explains, "Ultrasonic probe
selection can be, at best, a chore and, at worst, a nightmare. This new web-
based selection tool uses intuitive navigation and even provides visualization of
the sound beams offered as options, so that users can see exactly how their
selected probe will perform in relation to the anticipated flaws."

The most direct search option offered by the new tool is "Search" and this is
used when the probe part number or name is known. The three other options
are "Search by Criteria", "Search by Application" and "Navigate". With "Search by
Criteria" the user is presented with a number of drop-down alternatives and
their selection leads to a small number of options being offered. The user can
then decide whether to access "Table of probes", "Performance selection" or
"Sort by frequency and diameter". (These three access buttons are also
presented if a user elects to "Select by application" or to "Navigate".) "Table of
Probes" simply lays out the characteristics of the short-listed probe selection. If
"Sort by frequency and diameter" is chosen, then the frequencies and diameters
of the short-listed probes are presented for final selection. However,
"Performance selection" allows the user to visualize the sound beam in action. It
is merely a case of providing the minimum and maximum flaw depths, defining
the equivalent reflector diameter of the flaw and the velocity of sound in the
test material. The user than selects the visualized sound beam which most
nearly meets his specification.

With "Select by application", a selection of application diagrams is presented,
such as "flat face wear", and "rod core flaws". One of these is selected and the
user is then offered the three access buttons and choses exactly as he would for
"Select by Criteria". With "Navigate" option, the user is presented with various
transducer designs before passing to the access buttons.

Whichever method is chosen, an on-line inquiry package is created including
any required accessories and this can then be forwarded so that the total probe
selection and receipt process is optimized.