Hey Fellows,
honestly I do not know if the "Shop Talk" section might be the "correct" one for asking the following question, since I guess this might rather be one for the "Inspectors" among us.
I had the great opportunity when I was in Houston TX to talk to an expert in "AUT" (Automated Ultrasonic Testing).
He, and his colleague, are contractors for a large Texas Pipeline Welding Company and perform the necessary NDT for them.
To be honest I have never heard of "AUT" before. The only "thing" I knew was the manually Ultrasonic Testing which I have seen, for instance, at the last AWS Show (together with Lawrence and Al).
And then this...
I was extremely impressed by the equipment these guys were using for accomplishing their job. Tremendously!
What I learned as well was the fact, that e v e r y joint is meanwhile being examined by using AUT but not by using Radiography, what actually was not my thought before I have been in Houston.
The NDT fellow was truly friendly, quite open, and explained patiently all my questions and it was fascinating to hear and see what is possible to carry out today by using most modern techniques.
Well, so far so good. I - lucky to having learned something new again - went back to Europe certain to having seen the most advanced technology being available today. Even "AUT"...
And then happened something which could actually top what I have seen in Houston. And this is what my question goes to.
When I participated the last IIW Sub Commission XI-E (Transmission Pipelines) Meeting in England there was held a presentation dealing with a new technology called "Computerised Information Technology" (CIT), see also:
http://www.cituk-online.com.It was extremely interesting to listen to S.C. Sood who was the Chairman/Managing Director of CIT and who held the presentation over there in Cranfield.
This new Radiography technology is much more accurate compared with AUT and is providing outstanding features, having truly astonished me.
Well, as Lawrence already posted once in another topic. I am far from being an NDT expert and thus surely quite easier to impress than the real NDT-experts in the forum. However, I was impressed and that not less...
But my question is to you: " Has anybody of you ever heard of, or perhaps even worked with the CIT System in the United States?"
Every little information and response is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Stephan