Scanning method

The method of scanning the material is either a written, step by step,

instruction or technique sheet, or involves following the steps laid out in
the relevant national standard.
An example written step by step instruction, for a single vee butt weld,
could be:
Visually inspect the parent metal and weld surfaces, reporting the
surface condition and the presence of any weld cap defects.
Scan the parent metal with a 0° probe, check and report the thickness
and any defects. Where the cap is dressed flat scan the weld metal with
the 0° probe for defects and record on a rough report.
Draw up full size working diagrams and cursors (plotting systems),
noting surface distances and beam paths for each angle probe on half
skip and full skip positions.
Mark the centerline of the weld and the surface distance for each probe
onto the scanning surface.
using a guide strip behind the probe, perform a critical root scan by
scanning laterally on a fixed line parallel with the weld axis, with the
probe index point at the half skip surface distance, with each probe
(access permitting). Make a note, on a rough diagram, of any suspected
defective areas of the root, as they are located with each probe. Assess
each suspect area individually to ascertain whether the area is a defect,
whether the defect is in the root, if so, what type of defect and its size
and position. Record the defects on the rough report.
Scan the weld body on full skip, with each angle probe in turn (access
permitting), by moving the probe back and forth between the half and
full skip surface distances, whilst gradually traversing the length of the
weld.
Assess each signal that falls within the half skip to full skip beam path
range as it is located. Record the defects on the rough report.
Scan the weld body on half skip, with each angle probe in turn (access
permitting), by moving the probe back and forth between the half skip
surface distance and the weld cap, or past the weld centre line if the cap
has been removed, whilst gradually traversing the length of the weld.
Assess each signal that falls within the zero to half skip beam path range
(except the dead zone), as it is located. Record the defects on the rough
report.
Scan the weld for transverse defects by scanning down the axis of the
weld, where the cap is removed, using sufficient scans and different
angle probes to ensure full coverage of the weld body, on half and full
skip where necessary.
Assess and record the defects on the rough report.
Transfer the noted defects from the rough report to a pro-forma report
sheet and make a note of signal amplitudes in comparison to the DAC
curve at the test sensitivity level.
All noted indications should be assessed, using the plotting system and
changing probes as necessary, as to whether they are in fact defects, not
spurious indications. If they are defects then the type, size and position
in relation to the datum and the centre line of the weld should be
assessed. (The sizing of defects to be carried out as in the "0° scanning"
or "angle probe scanning" section of these notes, as appropriate, or as in
a relevant national standard)
The finished report should be signed and dated by a level two operator.