-New equipment Stress analyser has dedicated PC and menu-driven software Comments and suggestions by the 70 purchasers of the Spate 8000 dynamic stress analyser has led to the launch of Spate 9000 by Ometron of London, UK.

The result is a series of models which can vary in their computing power according to customer requirements. The basic model has a single dedicated PC with menu-driven software. The top of the range uses two or more PCs with sophisticated software, enabling split screen processing and simultaneous data acquisition and analysis. As with the Spate 8000, the system works by scanning an object under dynamic stress with an infrared detector capable of detecting stress-induced temperature changes down to 10-3°C.

At its most sophisticated, the 9000 can smooth data to reduce noise using supplied or customer- originated algorithms. Data may be presented in terms of stress contours on the colour display, to which can be added graphics or highlighting to enable a hardcopy version to be used directly in technical reports. A movable cursor placed at any point of the display will show the stress at that point in engineering units and the stress contour along any line across the display can be called up on screen.

Ometron sees the equipment as being particularly suitable as a design tool, allowing integration of the digitized stress and vibration data with other computer-aided design methods.

The shape of the scanning area or areas can be delineated, avoiding unnecessary scanning time. Different vibration modes can also be displayed and subsequently added or subtracted to highlight, for instance, damage which has occurred during the course of a fatigue test.

Two systems have already been sold, one to Mitsubishi Heavy

Spate 9000 in use at Nissan, Japan

Industries, Japan, and one to General Electric at Evandale, OH, USA. The cost of a basic system is around £100000.

The infrared detector used with the system is the same as that used in the Spate 8000 and the earlier model can be up-graded. The Spate 9000 can also be used with the vibration pattern imager recently launched by Ometron.

Ometron Ltd, Worsley Bridge Road, London SE26 5BX, UK

Processing line permits fully automatic penetrant testing

Fully automatic penetrant testing is possible with the penetrant processing line introduced by Magnaflux of Swindon, UK.

Designed to automatically transfer turbine blades and similar, critical nonferrous components through a post-emulsifiable or water- washable fluorescent penetrant process, the equipment uses a gantry-type 4-axis robot operating in a linear mode. Both the robot and the number of processing tanks can be expanded as necessary; processing tanks are manufactured in stainless steel and are available in a range of sizes.

Magnaflux Limited, South Dorcan Industrial Estate, Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 5HE, UK

Penetrant testing line from Magnaflux

Eddy current

A portable eddy current instrument, the MIZ-20A, has been launched by Zetec of Issaquah, WA, USA.

The single-frequency detector is suitable for on-site defect detection, thickness gauging and measurement of conductivity and permeability of electrically conductive materials.

The unit has a liquid crystal display for presentation of X Y impedance plane data and can permanently store a full screen of data and 16 test set-ups. A printer interface allows hardcopy recording of collected data.

unit suitable for on-site use

Rugged aluminium housing and waterproof construction are said to make the instrument suitable for field environments.

Zetec Inc, 1370 NW Mall, PO Box 140, Issaquah, WA 98027- 0140, USA

Zetec's portable MIZ-20A eddy current instrument

NDT International April 1988 91