Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) has been and continues to be a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) industry standard inspection method in Aerospace, Automotive, Nuclear, Foundries and other related industries for productionand maintenance since the 1920s.
MPI remains a proven and straightforward inspection process that can be easily tailored to inspect different products in various industries that require detailed inspection of critical parts i.e. Aerospace components to mass production inspection of products i.e. Automotive transmission, drivetrain, engine parts. Kodiak Q.C. offers customers expertise in the modification of MPI equipment to meet the demands of detail inspection or volume processing.
Over time the basic equipment used has evolved however the fundamentals of inducing a magnetic field into ferro-magnetic material via High Amperage (Amps) and low voltage (V) has not changed. The Amps produced are in waveforms of Alternating Current (AC), Half Wave Direct Current (HWDC) or Full Wave Direct Current (FWDC).
Differences in waveforms are the reason that AC is better suited for surface defect inspection while HWDC and FWDC offer the ability for near subsurface inspection. The selection of an appropriate Waveform is dependent of the type of material being inspected, geometry, and size.
MPI equipment is offered with the ability to induce longitudinal or transverse magnetic fields allowing for separate inspection of parts to locate lengthwise or radial defects or flaws in components. This method is referred to as conventional. The ability to magnetize both directions simultaneously is possible and this method is referred to as multi-directional (MD). Best suited for high volume inspection of parts. Kodiak Q.C. has the experience to assist with selecting the optimum waveform and method of inducing the magnetic field into a component.
The challenges operators have with older equipment is making older model equipment comply with expectancies of new standards i.e. Amps repeatability. This raises question of suitability of purpose and should an existing inspection machine in use be replaced: an expensive and sometimes unnecessary solution. Kodiak Q.C. offers retrofitting or updating packages for Wet Benches and Power Packs to change or convert primary components to current i.e. solid state, MPI technology required produce AC, HWDC or FWDC waveforms. It is therefore possible to upgrade an older generation equipment model to meet required existing government or industry standards and avoid the capital investment required for a completely new piece of equipment.