The inspection of a structure or component in any manner that will not impair its future usefulness. The purpose of the inspection may be to detect flaws, measure geometric characteristics, determine material structure or composition, or it may characterize physical, electrical, or thermal properties without causing any changes in the part.

An inspection tool used to determine the structural integrity of a part or assembly without structurally altering it.

MPI is completed by inducing a magnetic field in a ferromagnetic material and covering the excited part with iron particles. The particles may be dry or suspended in a fluid. Defects in the surface like voids and cracks cause disruptions in the magnetic field lines of the part, and force the iron particles to concentrate at the indications due to magnetic flux leakage. MPI makes it easy to see cracks and other defects in the surface of a part that would normally be too small to see by eye alone. Common indications found with MPI include cracks, pits, voids, and sometimes even indications below the surface.

FPI is one of the oldest methods of finding indications in parts which are not visible by eye. This method utilizes a fluorescent or vividly colored dye that glows brightly when exposed to UV light. To complete this method, a part is coated with the fluorescent dye and then wiped clean. A developer, a liquid which activates the color or fluorescence, is then applied to the surface. When brightly lit or lit with a UV lamp, excess dye will remain in cracks and voids on the surface, making many types of indications easy to see by eye.

A borescope is an optical instrument designed to assist visual inspection of narrow, difficult-to-reach positions, consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with an eyepiece or display on one end, an objective lens or camera on the other, linked together by an optical or electrical system in between. The optical system in some instances is accompanied by (typically fiberoptic) illumination to enhance brightness and contrast. An internal image of the illuminated object is formed by the objective lens and magnified by the eyepiece which presents it to the viewer’s eye.

A thread pitch gauge is a visual checking device to identify the pitch of a threaded part and it is not a typical metrology/inspection device. The goal of inspecting (or measuring) a thread is making sure that the thread is cut at the right depth and that the pitch diameter matches the design specifications. Our standards add confidence and integrity to the inspection process and product.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) play a vital part in precision engineering and quality control in the aerospace industry. A coordinate measuring machine, also known as a CMM, uses a probing system to detect discreet points on the surfaces of objects.

CMMs are integrated within quality assurance or quality control workflows to check the dimensions of components to prevent or resolve quality issues. The advantages of using CMMs over manual inspections or checks performed with conventional metrology instruments, such as micrometers and height gauges, are: accuracy, speed and the reduction of human error.

Vapor blasting is the combination of mixing water with abrasive which forms a slurry. This slurry is mixed into a fluid and evenly mixed as a liquid in the bottom of the hopper. The liquid is pumped up to the blasting gun and compressed air accelerate the mixture propelling it towards the part. Vapor abrasive blasting has many advantages in that it is a chemical free process making it environmentally friendly.

Advantage of Vapor Blasting:

• Instead of cleaning by impact, it cleans with water
• It both degreases and blasts at the same time
• The water acts as a lubricant or a barrier between the media and the component
• During the blasting process, no media is infused into the material
• Leaves an appealing satin finish on many surfaces, such as aluminum, brass, and stainless steel