The Australian automotive industry is characterised by high stakes and quality standards. Automotive manufacturers are consistently seeking new ways to ensure high-quality manufacturing standards. In this regard, non-destructive testing is a highly-effective methods of testing parts for durability, quality and consistency without damaging the parts themselves. If a mould is tested and found to be flawless, it then follows that parts manufactured using the mould are flawless themselves. Similarly, individual parts from a batch can be tested as a sample to ensure that the whole batch is of appropriate standard to use on the roads.
What Flaws Can be Tested Using NDT?
Cars are, in general, composed of about 30,000 parts, each of which can pose a threat to safety if functioning improperly. Part defects can occur for many reasons, including: casting a metal part, welding two parts together or applying a coating. Issues may also present themselves over a longer duration: as they erode, crack or otherwise become flawed due to pressure from various forces during operation. Some of the common car manufacturing defects that NDT can help detect include:
- Cracks and flaws in materials and surface treatments,
- Issues from heat treatment, such as delayed or short quenches, shallow case depth or a lack of treatment,
- Hardness variation due to problems during material mixing,
- Thread and feature issues, such as missing or inaccurate features, broken taps or threads that are damaged, incorrect, oversized or undersized,
- Improper assembly, like missing or improperly oriented components,
- Poor welds with slag inclusions or inadequate penetration.
How is NDT Used in the Automotive Industry
There are a large number of applications of non-destructive testing within the automotive industry. These are used to identify the flaws and defects listed above. Digital radiography is the most commonly used NDT technique in the automotive industry and can identify defects within car components. This technique, amongst others, is used to evaluate production methods, improve defect identification, meet regulatory standards, improve production speed, diagnose problems, research new technologies and reduce costs.
How does Digital Radiography Work?
Digital radiography relies on imaging technology to create an X-Ray of a car part. The process creates a digital image which does not lose its quality over time. Readings can be taken in the field without waiting for film to develop. For instance, a digital radiographic system can be used to quickly diagnose a problem with a vehicle at various maintenance facilities or accurately scan high-precision parts at a manufacturing plant.
Buy Radiographic Non-Destructive Testing Equipment
NDT Australia can supply you with a vast range of non-destructive testing equipment no matter where you are in Australia. Contact us via our contact form or on (02) 9524 0558 to make an enquiry about any of the NDT equipment we have listed on our website. We are available from 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.
