ETher NDE is pleased to introduce ECHO-3D, the newest technology for the detection of surface breaking defects and crack depth measurements from Athena Industrial.

Echo-3D is ideal for inspection applications in petrochemical, oil & gas, power generation, aerospace, infrastructure and manufacturing industries.

Echo-3D can be used for detecting surface and sub-surface defects in carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys and aluminium and is capable of identifying cracks and giving crack detection information in explosive clad carbon steel..

The Echo-3D software provides crack detection, crack depth information, 3D mapping and analysis.

ECHO-3D PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

ECHO-3D is an Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) based technology that uses Electro-Magnetic Field Imaging (EMFI) to display surface breaking defects in a 3D image.

A focusing element that creates a large hemi elliptical toroidal field below the Sensor, creating EMF. The EMF shape is measured in the X, Y and Z planes by specially shaped antenna coils. Material permeability, conductivity, shape and distance from the surface to the sensor all affect the shape of the EMF.  ECHO-3D has the ability to cancel out these effects using a null command before scanning.

As the focused EMF from the Sensor passes over a surface breaking defect, such as a crack, SCC, or corrosion, the shape of the field is deformed. The degree and location of the field shift is measured and the translated into crack location, direction and depth.

Additionally, the material is not left with a residual magnetic field and therefore does not require degaussing prior to return to service.

Like UT, the ECHO-3D can detect a defect through a coating because it does not require direct contact with the surface of the sample. This also eliminates the use of a couplant.

ECHO-3D has demonstrated its ability to detect surface breaking cracks in both ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

When the Sensor is used to scan a region via multiple passes, either by hand or by mechanical encoded scanner, the software stiches the adjacent B-Scans and produces a C-Scan image in real-time.

The data acquisition screen displays B-Scan and C-Scan images, which can be reviewed and analysed with the ECHO-3D software after completion of the scan.

Once the scan is complete, selecting the C-Scan image instantly produces a 3D model, allowing the technician to rotate the image 360°.

Selecting the X-Y-Z icon, displays an analysis screen, which allows the technician to locate and mark defects, these defects are automatically included in the final report.

ECHO-3D’s real time analysis can determine the location, orientation and severity of a defect including crack depths to > 5mm [0.197”].

Protected Document Format (PDF) reports are generated with the ECHO-3D software and include details of: Inspection Company; Client details; Technician details; Sensor set-up; and Project details with defect locations, depths, and optional site photographs and screen shots.