Samples and Feasibility

The first major step taken in configuring an ARIS inspection system for a new measurement application is to conduct a feasibility study on a set of client product samples. We receive samples in our California lab facility and study them using acoustic resonance spectroscopy and other tools. Because of the sensitivity of EARS technique, one important goal of the feasibility study is to begin to characterize the range of materials properties that make up known defects as well as those that are are present in "good samples". Armed with this understanding we have the ability to quickly determine the inspection possibilities and drive toward a written proposal.

Feasibility studies are usually completed in less than 3 weeks. During the process, potential clients can look forward to active communication, liberal sharing of sample testing data, and utmost confidentiality.

An ideal set of product samples will be comprehensive, though not necessarily large in number. The preferred set will include both "good" and "bad" material pieces, it will be in good to pristine condition, and it will come from more than one production lot. Before shipping any items for evaluation, please contact us for more useful advice about selecting and packaging product samples.

 

An Additional Note About Artificial Defects

We spend a lot of time talking to our clients about the difference between natural and artificial defects as used for inspection test standards. Artificial defects evolved as a way to calibrate the current types of NDT systems because they represent the best methods by which to generate an electromagnetic response from a defect of any given size. Artificial defects are often flat bottomed or flat sided features and this makes them ideal reflectors and/or concentrators of electrical signals. But these geometries are also problematic because they are rarely representative of the real defects that need to be detected during the course of on-line testing.

When configuring Resonic equipment for a new application, it is possible to work with manufactured defects but we much prefer to use samples with real defects when they are available. Doing so is good science and plays to the EARS strength of being much more responsive to natural defects than to artificial ones.