Non-destructive testing (NDT) detects flaws without destroying valuable prototypes or products. Small businesses, in particular, may not have unlimited resources to spare. Destroying an item to ensure it works isn’t always the best course of action to improve quality control measures. Other testing measures keep the item intact but still prove quality.
NDT can also be used to ensure equipment remains reliable and to avoid frequent breakdowns. Procedures are either classified as destructive or non-destructive based on the condition of the component after testing. The two types of testing are exactly as they sound – one maintains the product and the other destroys it beyond repair.
What Is Non-Destructive Testing?
The non-destructive testing services market will reach $23.2 billion by 2030, with a growth of 13.50% CAGR. Asia-Pacific manufacturing is expected to contribute around 10% of that growth.
As more companies see the value of NDT, expect rapid growth in the sector. Small businesses can keep up more easily with huge corporations by doing less extensive but still reliable testing.
NDT falls under several different applications, including industrial radiography. Radiography has high speed and accuracy but keeps the component structurally intact for future use. NDT is most often used in manufacturing, engineering, research and aerospace. What are some of the major benefits of NDT for small businesses?
1. Decrease Downtime
Historically, inspects take away a lot of production time. Items must be tested for integrity and traditional and destructive testing methods may take up more hours than most companies are willing to invest.
With NDT, testing is reliable but speedy. Techniques such as radiography, guided wave and liquid penetrant testing are fast and efficient.
2. Use Smart Technologies
One technique corporations can utilize to reduce poor quality and machine breakage is predictive maintenance. Experts predict businesses see around a 75% decrease in breakdowns by utilizing internet of things technology. With sensors and artificial intelligence, repair teams will know when a machine has too much shake or a component grows weak. Make repairs before the equipment breaks, saving on maintenance costs and downtime.
3. Reduce Material Waste
Destructive testing may be a bit more thorough in some instances, but it also wastes a lot of viable material and costs companies big bucks. With smaller brands, every penny counts. Seeking out less expensive NDT methods may save both money and time.
For example, a new product may require a number of prototypes. Smaller manufacturers often turn to 3D printing technology to capture the concept. However, paying an outside party to make prototypes if one doesn’t own their own 3D printer can add up. Testing without destroying each prototype saves on additional prototypes, especially near the end of the creation process.
4. Speed Up Processes
Destructive testing typically takes more time than non-destructive testing. Whether a manufacturer faces tight deadlines or simply wants to fulfill a high number of orders, any small thing that speeds up manufacturing helps.
At the same time, a company can maintain quality control measures through NDT. There’s no reason to give up the value or reputation of the item.
5. Determine Physical Properties
Manufacturers typically use destructive tests to figure out a material’s durability, impact resistance, tensile strength and fatigue strength. However, not all factors can be determined with the same tests. NDT helps companies figure out product reliability and integrity. Use NDT to do quick checks and ensure all materials are similar so all items manufactured are reliable.
At least 15 testing methods exist. However, companies use six most frequently:
- Magnetic Particle Testing: Method uses magnetic fields to determine discontinuity.
- Liquid Penetrant Testing: Liquid flows in and back out, leaving a certain amount of penetrant. The test then uses ultraviolet light to determine reliability.
- Radiographic Testing: Radiation penetrates the object testing for fatigue cracks by showing darker areas where radiation passed through the material.
- Ultrasonic Testing: Ultra-high-frequency sound bounces off the material and shoots back waves that indicate issues with material. The technology works similar to a naval sonar.
- Electromagnetic Testing: Considered a standalone test method, ET is used with an electric current or magnetic field and results are then evaluated for integrity.
- Visual Testing: One of the most common types of NDTs is a visual observation of the object. Inspectors might use special equipment to get a closer look at materials. They’re looking for potential product failures and consistency.
Each brand must decide which tests work best for asset reliability and consistency.
6. Prevent Accidents
A business’s assets include the equipment used to manufacture products as well as materials. Excellent NDT practices can help spot a flaw before it becomes a major accident. Preventing harm to employees is crucial to keeping your team intact and loyal.
The costs of a major catastrophe, even without personal injury, can harm your company’s reputation and cause setbacks that last for years.
Some industries benefit more from NDT than others and have been used in those niches for years, such as rail yards, aerospace, oil and gas and mining. However, the benefits of NDT are expansive enough to benefit nearly anyone in the manufacturing industry and even some outside of big industry.
Why Is NDT Crucial?
NDT ensures companies create items to certain specifications and standards. Improving quality control starts with understanding the base materials utilized in making products. However, NDT shouldn’t stop with the materials but also carry through to all aspects of production. Look for ways to implement the various methods of non-destructive testing throughout the process to speed up productivity and create better output.
Eleanor is editor of Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.
