Eddy Current Array Software

Increased Power, Decreased Complexity
MXE 3.0 Software

With the exception of the added capacity to electronically switch between elements, eddy current array (ECA) technology is essentially the same as ECT technology. Eddy current array is easy to operate and calibrate. The new OmniScan MXE 3.0 ECA software has been redesigned to facilitate the transition from a conventional ECT instrument (such as the Olympus Nortec® 500) and to offer the power of ECA in a much more accessible way.

Live Impedance Plane

Calibration of ECA is done in a nearly identical fashion as conventional ECT. The principles of lift-off, gain and null adjustments are maintained so calibration is no more complex or time-consuming than usual.

Generate live lift-Off signals with ECA probe – just like with a conventional ECT probe.

Adjust the phase angle in real time with the OmniScan knob. Gain, Vertical Gain and Null Point (H/V) can also be adjusted the same way.

Replacement of Traditional NDT methods
Paint Removal is Obsolete

Eddy current array has a unique ability to perform inspections through thin coatings on conductive material. This capability provides a tremendous advantage over existing methods, such as penetrant testing, magnetic particle or magneto-optical imaging (MOI), as the need to remove and then reapply paint or coating is eliminated completely. Over time, this provides you with enormous cost-savings, and most importantly, your inspections will be chemical-free.

Key Advantages:

• No need for paint removal.
• Imaging and archiving.
• One-step inspection, high scan speed, and instant results.
• Major time-savings (typically 10:1 and over).
• Drastically reduced turnaround time.
• Defect depth evaluation capability.
• Adjustable sensitivity and post-process analysis.
• Environment-friendly method (no chemicals involved).

A Variety of Familiar Color-Palette Choices, Offering More Possibilities

The MXE 3.0 ECA software features a range of patent-rights-protected color-palette representations that replicate the look of traditional NDT methods and facilitate the intuitive display of ECA signals.

Analyzing, Reporting, and Archiving
Confirm or Revisit Inspections after Completion

Even after an in-field inspection has been completed, the OmniScan® MX ECA continues to provide value thanks to integrated data-storage, analysis, and reporting functionalities. With the OmniScan MX ECA you can review individual indications and apply corrections as needed. The new MXE 3.0 ECA software features newly redesigned, intuitive data cursors that can be operated directly from the instrument (on-site) or with a mouse connected by USB (office use).

Instant Reporting and Easy Archiving

The OmniScan MX features built-in reporting, at the touch of a key. Reports can also be configured and customized by advanced users. However, the factory-default report format already includes a screen shot and carefully selected, preloaded data fields that aim to eliminate the need for customization.

Archiving of inspection data files is also very easy; at any time (during acquisition or analysis), a single press of a key will instantly store the data on the instrument memory card.

Perform data analysis quickly and efficiently with mouse input. Archive files to a PC with the help of a CompactFlash reader.

Encoded Scans for Easier Data Interpretation
Optimized 1-2-3 Calibration

The OmniScan® MX ECA not only displays ECA signals in a conventional ECT impedance plane view but also offers several other views and layouts where the user will begin to recognize the true power of encoded ECA technology. These displays can be made part of the calibration workflow and can make eddy current testing highly visual and even go/no-go, based on user defined acceptance criteria.

Thanks to its intuitive interface design, the OmniScan MX ECA is quick and easy to configure and operate. It is as simple as one, two, three.

Continuous Encoder Mode

The advantage of time-based inspection is its virtually unlimited scanning capacity with minimal instrument interaction, whereas the benefit of encoded scans (C-scan images) is the ability to produce valuable color-coded images and information related to flaw position, shape, and dimensions.

The MXE 3.0 ECA software introduces a new Continuous Encoder mode that enables encoder-corrected imaging while maintaining the user-friendliness of a time-based inspection. With this mode, inspections are highly productive, with indications being recorded at your discretion.

Powerful Color Imaging
Estimation of Flaw Depth with Color-Coded C-Scans

As with conventional eddy current technology, flaw severity is closely correlated to the return EC signal amplitude in most surface or near-surface applications. By using an amplitude-based color code, and plotting each channel’s return signal with encoded-position information, the resulting C-scan display is highly visual and intuitive. These scans can be saved to the removable CF card or generated into a report onboard the OmniScan® MX.

Accept or Reject Flaws Based on Threshold

With the OmniScan MX ECA, you can accept or reject indications based on the C-scan color display. The MXE 3.0 ECA software contains a wide range of factory-tested color palettes that optimize the signal display for any ECA application.

Additionally, the new C-scan alarm feature simplifies the gating of reject signals, as it instantly changes the C-scan colors when the impedance plane signal enters the alarm zones.

Eddy Current Software

OmniScan MX in ECT Mode, a Powerful Flaw Detector
The Power of ECA and ECT combined

Some inspection procedures may specifically require ECT while ECA can easily help you cut time and find problem areas. With the OmniScan® MX ECA, you don’t need to commit to just one technology at the start of an inspection. Pressing and holding the menu key anytime during an inspection allows for instant switching between ECA and ECT modes. Both probes can remain connected and configuration setups remain active.

Simultaneous connection of ECA and ECT probes provides the best tool for the job without the need to stop and reconfigure your hardware setup

High Quality Signals, Existing Probes

The OmniScan MX in ECT mode includes a high quality signal digitizer and all-digital signal processing chain for minimal signal loss or distortion. This, combined with its bright, large display, makes the OmniScan MX in ECT mode one of the world’s finest ECT flaw detectors, displaying high-quality signals every time.

The OmniScan MX in ECT mode also allows the use of most existing Nortec® ECT probes, through the use of new cables and adaptors.

Bond Testing Reinvented

Eight Frequencies in the Same Scan

Bond Testing Improvements

• C-scan imagery.
• Can drive up to eight different frequencies at the same time.
• Dimensioning capabilities.
• Improved POD.
• Phase/Amplitude display mode

Important to Note

• Detection similar to that of the BondMaster® 1000e+ instrument, since the same probes are used.
• Designed to support pitch-catch probes.
• Two-axis encoding scanner is required to produce the C-scan.

Advanced Composite Inspection

Olympus is proud to launch our new bond testing OmniScan® solution—a big step forward in the field of composite inspection. Now, easy-to-read C-scan imagery is possible using a portable instrument. This OmniScan solution is ideally suited for disbond detection in honeycomb composite, as well as equally accurate delamination detection. Primarily designed for aerospace in-service inspection, this solution is also useful for the manufacturing sector, including the automotive and naval industries (e.g., for composite boat hulls).

Customers who already own an OmniScan® ECA or ECT module only need to order the standard BondMaster® probes (P14 and SPO-5629) and the BondMaster cable that are required to complete this solution.

Our customized MXB software has been developed especially for composite inspection; new features, such as the wizard and normalization, help to keep operation simple for the user.

Encoded system: any two-axis encoding scanner can be used to inspect a part. Olympus offers two options: the GLIDER™ scanner, which is well-suited for flat or slightly curved surfaces, and the WING™ scanner, which is specially designed for scanning curved parts (e.g., aircraft fuselages) and can even be used upsidedown due to its Venturi vacuum-cup system. For more versatility, a handheld one-axis encoding scanner, equipped with an Indexer Clicker, is also compatible with this system.

Innovative C-Scan Display

Again, Olympus innovates by introducing a new way of displaying on-screen data. For each C-scan, the operator has two viewing options to choose from: the amplitude C-scan displays color variation based on the amplitude of the signal, regardeless of the phase, which is ideal for clear and efficient disbond detection; or, the phase C-scan uses a 0° to 360° color palette to display changes in the phase angle, making it easy to distinguish between different types of indications, such as putty (repair) and delamination.

Phased C-scan, cursor over potting

Required Equipment

This solution is available in two different configurations, both requiring these standard components.

Standard components

Manual configuration

HSB-01 handheld scanner

Semi-automated configuration