Manufacturing & Fabrication Solutions
It is necessary to hold routine inspections during the production cycle of all manufacturing & fabrication facilities to check parameters within each section of the process to ensure they are in accordance with industry standards. MFE Inspection Solutions provides inspection technologies that not only ensure the integrity of machine components and fabricated products without compromising those objects but also help manage facilities to speed up production while maintaining the safety of employees.
Table of Contents:
Metal Analysis with XRF Analyzers
XRF analyzers are definitive tools for fabrication, manufacturing, and quality control.
XRF Applications:
Positive Material Identification
XRF analyzers like the Niton XL3t & 5 series can give you a fast and accurate analysis of components, rods, finished welds, bolts, rivets, or complete fabricated assemblies for your manufacturing requirements.
Hardness Testing
Hardness testing is typically performed on new materials to ensure various steel and alloy materials have received the required heat treatment after fabrication. Hardness testing is a key aspect in quality control programs to ensure materials meet manufacturing & fabrication industry standards.
Hardness Testing Applications:
Brinell Hardness Testing
Brinell hardness testing is a method of hardness testing by measuring the diameter of a ball penetrator mark. Brinell hardness testing measures a fairly large area, typically used to determine the hardness of metal forgings and castings with a large grain structure.
UCI Hardness Testing
For complex geometry or weld seam inspections, inspectors often use Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) Hardness Testers. These hardness testers force a diamond into a material by spring pressure that creates vibration within the hardness tester that’s used to determine a frequency measurement of the evaluated material.
Infrared Radiation & Acoustic Imaging
Infrared thermography is a science used to capture and process visual data obtained by analyzing infrared radiation (IR) emitted from an object’s temperature above zero.
Acoustic Sound Imaging uses ultrasound to produce images of noise, some of which might be undetectable to human ears.
Acoustic Imaging & Thermal Imaging Inspection Applications:
Thermal Imaging Inspections
Thermal Imaging predictive maintenance is used for countless applications in fabrication/manufacturing facilities by identifying thermal anomalies. MFE Inspection Solutions offers Infrared Training Courses for any professional who wants to learn the fundamentals or even expand their knowledge of IR technology. Upon completion of the ITC courses, a certification will be awarded.
Applications:
- Electrical Systems
- Process Monitoring
- Quality Control
Acoustic Imaging Inspection
Acoustic imaging cameras can visualize sound to easily locate air leaks, vacuum leaks, and electrical discharges. These cameras pinpoint noise sources as hot spots with a visual representation in real-time imaging. Acoustic imaging cameras have saved manufacturing facilities a great deal of money by identifying compressed air leaks in noisy environments.
Autonomous Facility Management with Robots
Robots and artificial intelligence are helping manufacturing facilities with safety, project management, and preventative maintenance.
Autonomous AI & Robot Applications:
Boston Dynamics SPOT Manufacturing Facility Management
Boston Dynamics, SPOT is an autonomous solution that can be equipped with thermal, acoustic, and gas imaging technologies to help identify anomalies that could be costly. In addition, SPOT can be configured to read gauges and navigate specific routes during designated hours to monitor the surrounding environment.
Automated Acoustic Monitoring
Acoustic imaging can also be a fixed method of surveillance to detect sound anomalies and trigger alarms. The Fluke SV600 can be used for continuous automated process monitoring in critical or noisy factory areas.
Levatas Artificial Intelligence Models
Levatas AI models can benefit manufacturing processes by improving efficiency, productivity, and quality control. Integrating Levatas AI models with Boston Dynamics’ SPOT can enhance the robot’s autonomous abilities, such as perception and decision-making, further improving its performance
Here are a few examples of how Levatas AI models can be used in manufacturing:
- Predictive Maintenance
- Quality Control
- Product Optimization
Coating Inspection
Coating inspection equipment is used to evaluate the quality, thickness, and adherence of coatings on surfaces.
Coating Inspection Equipment & Applications:
Coating inspection equipment is commonly used in manufacturing and fabrication facilities to ensure coatings’ quality and performance on various surfaces. These coatings can include paints, varnishes, adhesives, and other materials.
PosiTector - Electronic Coating Thickness Gauge
The PosiTector can measure the thickness of both ferrous and non-ferrous coatings on metal substrates using eddy current principles. It can also measure environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and dew point, making it useful for quality control and record keeping.
Deltascope - Electronic Non-ferrous Coating Thickness Gauge
The Deltascope is an instrument used in coating inspection, which uses the magnetic induction principle to measure the thickness of non-ferrous coatings on magnetic components. It can also measure the thickness of non-conductive coatings on conductive substrates.
Holiday Tester - Coating Flaw Detector
Holiday Testers detect discontinuities or defects in coatings, such as pinholes, pores, or cracks. The Holiday Tester applies a high voltage to the surface of the coating, and if a defect is detected, the voltage will discharge, indicating the presence of a holiday.
Contact MFE Inspection Solutions
If you’re looking for reliable and accurate inspection equipment for your manufacturing or fabrication facility, MFE Inspection Solutions is here to help. Contact MFE today to learn more about our range of inspection equipment and how we can help you meet your inspection needs.