Customers drive expansion of flaw detector fleet

Following a rapid growth in demand during 2019, Ashtead Technology has significantly increased the number of flaw detectors in its fleet of rental instruments.

Many of the new additions were Sonatest’s latest instrument; the Masterscan D-70 ultrasonic flaw detector, which was specified on numerous occasions, including one particularly large inspection project. “As an equipment specialist we track the latest developments in the market and invest in the best technologies for our customers’ applications,” comments Ashtead’s NDT Market Manager, Steve Drake.

“The popularity of the Sonatest D70 results from its advanced defect sizing tools with A-Scans, B-Scans and thickness logs. The new reporting software (UT-Lity) is also very popular with customers because it allows them to create customised inspection report templates; cutting and pasting information to other applications and creating printable pdf documents.”

Key features of the D70 include high levels of near surface resolution, penetrating power (450V pulser - square and spike) and an excellent signal to noise ratio. Rugged and reliable, the instrument offers outstanding battery performance with up to 18 hours of operation from full charge.

Typical applications include bond testing and the inspection of welds, corrosion, forgings, castings and composite materials, as well as UT and EMATS inspections in the power sector.

Summarising, Steve says: “The main benefit of adding the D-70 to our comprehensive rental fleet of NDT instruments, is that customers have an even greater choice of instruments without the capital cost of ownership. However, our customers also tell us that the availability of instruments at short notice, such as same- or next-day, can sometimes be of enormous value to them.”

Ashtead’s full range of inspection instruments are all available via www.ashtead-technology.com.