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 Simply Informative... Davidson Measurement's UE Systems Update!

Sound Advice Newsletter

The Ultrasound Newsletter published by UE Systems,  and reproduced by Davidson Measurement
Information… Product News… Advice… Dialog
Volume 8, Issue 3 May, 2007

This newsletter is dedicated to you, the reader with the goal of improving your ultrasonic inspection skills and enhancing your value to your company or clients. As such, we welcome your participation. If you have questions or seek advice about your inspection techniques or programs, or if you wish to share your experiences with others, please e-mail your contributions to us at mandy@davidson.com.au

For your information, the following topics are covered:

  • Leak Detection Is Hard Work

  • Ultraprobe Tip –Effective Sound Recording

  • Comments & Contributions –New Upgrade for the Ultraprobe 10,000

  • Sound Contest

  • Training Schedule

 

Leak Detection Is Hard Work

Whether you’re looking for a leak on a routine basis or you have to find a leak that just happened, leak detection is not easy. It takes planning, skill and even a bit of luck. Sometimes you just happen upon the leak. You scan around, hear it and there it is. Other times, it can take a long, long time. It is important to note that one technology isn’t applicable for every type of leak. You have to be aware of the type of leak you are looking for and the type of system in which leak is occurring. We all know how effective ultrasonic technology is when it comes to locating leaks. The problem is that many users, especially those who have no experience or training, often mistake their instrument for a magic wand. They assume that all they have to do is wave the “wand” around and they’ll locate the leak instantly. Knowledge, planning, experience, training and using the right tool for the job all come in to play when looking for a leak.

Knowledge: If you understand how leaks form, what types of leak have a better chance of producing ultrasound and the various methods for leak detection, then you have a good probability of success.

Planning: One common mistake is that an inspector starts to look for a leak without any planning. Planning is a very important element for success, whether the leak detection process is for a leak that must be found immediately or as part of a scheduled PdM check. The first step is to understand the type of leak as well as the system or component in which the leak may be. The next step is to review the leak system. Check blue prints or pipe layouts to get a better understanding of how and where leaks might occur. The next is to walk through the areas you will test to be sure the diagrams and prints match up. This is also a good opportunity to view what additional equipment you will need to bring such as keys to open locked cabinets, flashlights, ladders or any special modules or tools such as the flexible probes, Long Range Module, Close Focus Module or Liquid Leak Amplifier. This walk through will also help you plan your inspection route.

Experience: The more you use your ultrasound instrument, the better you’ll get. It’s that simple. As you gain experience you will learn what techniques work in specific cases and what won’t work, you’ll have a better understanding of how to look for the leak, confirm the leak and extrapolate the potential savings of your test. You’ll develop shielding techniques and possibly short cuts that will take you directly to the leak. In essence you’ll be come more efficient and more effective.

Training: To help you start off in the right direction and, even if you do have experience, to help you re-discover techniques and concepts that can help, training is always advisable. As you are probably aware, UE Systems has been offering training courses, some to help with certification, for over ten years. Our course curriculum has increased to provide courses that meet specific needs. To review all the courses offered, try this link: http://www.uesystems.com/training.asp 

The Right Tool for the job: Ever since our first Ultraprobe, we have been modifying the product and adding accessories to help meet specific inspection needs. There are always unique problems that inspectors encounter. Over the years we have developed a number of accessories based on recommendations from users. The Close Focus Module was created to met the need for locating vacuum leaks in vacuum bags used by the composite industry, the Ultrasonic Wave Form concentrator (Parabolic Dish) came about to help locate leaks at a distance. The Long Range Module (LRM) actually was designed by a scientist working for the National Aeronautics Space Administration: NASA to help locate leaks on the space shuttle. Our flexible probes (U-Bend and TeleBend) were suggested as a way to help some inspectors locate leaks occurring at odd angles in difficult areas and the concept of Liquid Leak Amplifier came about to help locate low level leaks that were out of the normal detection range of standard ultrasonic equipment.

 

 Ultraprobe Tip- Effective Sound Recording

Recording Sounds
Depending on the Ultraprobe you are using, there are two ways to record sounds; via an external device and internally. If you are using an Ultraprobe 10,000 you can use the on-board sound recording feature otherwise all others must use an external device such as an MP3 player, lap top computer or quality cassette tape recorder. Whatever device you use, be sure that it has a low frequency range that can display the low frequency peaks of 60 or even 50 Hz on UE Spectralyzer. For this reason digital voice recorders are not recommended.

When recording sounds, it is important that the signal is not distorted. On the Analogue instruments, you should not let the signal go over 50% of full scale on the signal strength indicator. On the Digital Instruments, should try to maintain the signal strength to between 4 to 6 segments on the bar graph indicator. Use a RF shielded cable that has a “miniphone to miniphone” plug to match the headphone jack on the back of your instrument and to plug into the microphone jack of your recording device.

For 10,000 users, you have the option to record sound samples manually or to pre-set the record time in the setup mode. When recording, move the cursor to the function bar and select Record Wav. Follow the on screen instructions and when through, be sure to follow the on-screen instructions to save the sound recording to your compact flash card.

Whatever method you use, if you are going to want to compare sound levels as well as sound patterns over time, be sure to note the sensitivity levels you are using to record your baseline sound. This will assure repeatability. Even if the dB level on the digital is the same, the sound level is outputted through the audio channel and therefore will be effected by the sensitivity level, not the dB reading.

For more tips on Ultrasonic Leak Detection, visit www.davidson.com.au

 

 Comments & Contributions

You may notice that the name of the UE newsletter is changing from Tech Tips to Sound Advice. The reason is quite simple. UE Systems has and will continue to offer “sound advice” to all our customers. UE prides itself in providing you with the most reliable means of achieving success in your inspection routines. This includes a number of quality components: our products (hardware and software), training, product support (over the phone from our highly knowledgeable in-house support group and in the field from our regional managers) from our information-filed web site and from our affiliated service providers; the Service Partners. As an extension of this concept, we will be offering “Sound Advice” with our email newsletter.

 

 Sound Contest

Every month UE Systems is going to set up a new sound for you on their web site. All you have to do is read the clue and identify it. All successful entries will be placed in a monthly drawing for a prize. This month’s prize is a UE Watch.

To participate in the contest, Click Here

Send us one of your sounds with a brief description. If we select it for use we’ll put your name up on the site to give you the recognition you deserve plus we’ll happily send you one of our famous UE shirts as a thank you. info@uesystems.com

Last Month’s winners: Congratulations to last month’s winners. You all had great sound recognition. The sound was listed as non-industrial and was recorded on an Ultraprobe 10,000. The clue was: “A flying mammal gets sound advice.” The answer: A bat’s sonar. While many of the contestants identified the bat, they did not specifically identify the sonar, which was the clicking sound we heard. However, there were many of you who did and for that reason there were 17 winners!
Winners that have entered their mailing address will receive a famous UE watch as their prize.

 

 Ultrasound Training Schedule 2007:

The schedule below lists our standard Level I and Level II airborne/structure borne ultrasound technology course plus the new 1-day software courses and the Steam Examiner course.

Please be sure to register early for the course of your choice to be sure to save your place.

DATES and CLASS LOCATION:

 

Level I and Level II

July 9 - 13 Level I Singapore
July 16 - 20 Level I Seattle, WA
August 6 - 10 Level II Elmsford, NY
September 3 - 7 Level I Mexico DF, Mexico
September 10 - 14 Level I Houston, TX
October 15 - 19 Level I Louisville, KY
November 12 - 16 Level I Birmingham, AL
December 3 - 7 Level I Honolulu, HI

To register: email: info@uesystems.com 
or register on-line: http://www.uesystems.com/forms.asp?frmID=10

1-Day Software Class Ultratrend DMS & UE Spectralyzer

June 20 Software I Day Detroit MI
July 25 Software I Day Albany, NY
August 15 Software I Day Springfield, MA
September 19 Software I Day Philadelphia, PA
October 24 Software I Day St. Louis, MO

To register: email: info@uesystems.com 
or register on-line: http://www.uesystems.com/forms.asp?frmID=21


 

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter...see you next time!

Best Regards
Mandy Jansz
Marketing Department
Biolab (Aust) Pty Ltd trading as
Davidson Measurement

email: mandy@davidson.com.au

 

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Best Regards

Mandy Jansz
Customer Response Coordinator
Marketing Department
Biolab (Aust) Pty Ltd trading as Davidson Measurement

 

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