NDT Solutions Advances Aircraft Wheel Inspection with Custom Conforming Eddy Current Probes
Posted: 2026-10-9
By:
Michelle Culbertson
Source:
NDT Solutions
Precision-engineered probe technology improves inspection consistency and repeatability for complex aircraft wheel surfaces.
NDT Solutions, LLC (NDTS) is advancing aircraft wheel inspection through the development of custom conforming eddy current probes engineered specifically for main and nose landing gear wheels.
Designed to evaluate bead seat areas and other critical inspection zones, these probes address a fundamental challenge in eddy current testing: maintaining consistent sensor positioning across complex, curved surfaces.
Rather than adapting conventional probes to challenging applications, NDTS engineers the sensing coil and probe design around the component and its specific inspection requirements.
Using high-resolution 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), specialized coil construction, and precision CNC machining, NDTS produces durable, portable probes that conform directly to the inspection surface. This approach maintains a controlled coil offset while minimizing variations in probe orientation and lift-off.
Improving Inspection Consistency
Aircraft wheel contours present significant challenges for conventional eddy current inspection, where variations in surface curvature, probe positioning, and operator technique can affect inspection results.
NDTS conforming probes are designed to follow the component's surface profile, allowing technicians to achieve more consistent sensor positioning and repeatable inspections.
Key advantages include:
• Consistent coil positioning across curved and complex surfaces
• Improved inspection repeatability with reduced operator dependence
• Controlled lift-off and probe orientation
• Durable, portable construction for production and maintenance environments
• Application-specific designs for main and nose landing gear wheels
• Custom configurations for additional critical inspection areas
"The real innovation is our ability to engineer the sensor around the component and the inspection requirement, rather than forcing the inspection to adapt to an off-the-shelf probe," said Larry Culbertson, CEO of NDT Solutions. "By combining digital surface mapping, precision coil placement, and advanced manufacturing, we build the complexity into the probe itself, making the inspection process more consistent and repeatable for the technician."
Expanding Applications Beyond Aircraft Wheels
The same engineering approach can be applied to other aerospace components where intricate contours, limited accessibility, or sensor positioning present challenges for conventional eddy current inspection.
For airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and defense customers, NDTS offers an application-specific approach designed to enhance inspection reliability, repeatability, and operational efficiency.
This technology reinforces NDT Solutions' commitment to solving complex inspection challenges through innovative engineering and practical NDT solutions.
NDT Solutions, LLC (NDTS) is advancing aircraft wheel inspection through the development of custom conforming eddy current probes engineered specifically for main and nose landing gear wheels.
Designed to evaluate bead seat areas and other critical inspection zones, these probes address a fundamental challenge in eddy current testing: maintaining consistent sensor positioning across complex, curved surfaces.
Rather than adapting conventional probes to challenging applications, NDTS engineers the sensing coil and probe design around the component and its specific inspection requirements.
Using high-resolution 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), specialized coil construction, and precision CNC machining, NDTS produces durable, portable probes that conform directly to the inspection surface. This approach maintains a controlled coil offset while minimizing variations in probe orientation and lift-off.
Improving Inspection Consistency
Aircraft wheel contours present significant challenges for conventional eddy current inspection, where variations in surface curvature, probe positioning, and operator technique can affect inspection results.
NDTS conforming probes are designed to follow the component's surface profile, allowing technicians to achieve more consistent sensor positioning and repeatable inspections.
Key advantages include:
• Consistent coil positioning across curved and complex surfaces
• Improved inspection repeatability with reduced operator dependence
• Controlled lift-off and probe orientation
• Durable, portable construction for production and maintenance environments
• Application-specific designs for main and nose landing gear wheels
• Custom configurations for additional critical inspection areas
"The real innovation is our ability to engineer the sensor around the component and the inspection requirement, rather than forcing the inspection to adapt to an off-the-shelf probe," said Larry Culbertson, CEO of NDT Solutions. "By combining digital surface mapping, precision coil placement, and advanced manufacturing, we build the complexity into the probe itself, making the inspection process more consistent and repeatable for the technician."
Expanding Applications Beyond Aircraft Wheels
The same engineering approach can be applied to other aerospace components where intricate contours, limited accessibility, or sensor positioning present challenges for conventional eddy current inspection.
For airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and defense customers, NDTS offers an application-specific approach designed to enhance inspection reliability, repeatability, and operational efficiency.
This technology reinforces NDT Solutions' commitment to solving complex inspection challenges through innovative engineering and practical NDT solutions.
