Manual methods of performing nondestructive testing (NDT) and human evaluation of the results are rapidly being replaced by automated, digitized, and artificial intelligence interpretation of the results wherever economically feasible.

Eddy current technology is evolving with improved detection of both surface and subsurface flaws along with defining critical material attributes.

The continuous ground-breaking advances in the aerospace industry put more and more pressure on nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment manufacturers to be proactively solving new inspection challenges. As such, the recent advances in eddy current array (ECA) have considerably expanded the range of components and assets that can be inspected for surface and near-surface flaws.

Advanced nondestructive inspection methods like ECA are not only used to validate the integrity of aging equipment, but also play an important role in the development of maintenance procedures for new components and assets.

In production, every aircraft structure component will undergo inspection by one of the primary NDT methods. In-service aircraft will experience subsequent nondestructive testing, eddy current inspection being one the primary methods. This article serves to highlight the more common forms of eddy current applications on in-service aircraft.

Nondestructive testing methods range from simple manual and visual techniques to sophisticated eddy current and ultrasound technologies that can be used for spot-checks or incorporated right into the production line.

Medical devices, both the actual equipment and patient hardware, are some of the most regulated items in all of industry. Medical manufacturers are held to the highest of standards and these typically equal, and can even exceed, the aerospace and nuclear sectors.

Eddy current testing (ECT) is an electromagnetic testing technique used to inspect non-ferromagnetic materials, and eddy current array (ECA) is an advanced form of ECT that allows efficient scanning over larger areas. 

Eddy current array (ECA) technology has long been used for nondestructive testing in aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and other industrial applications. It’s a fast, accurate, chemical-free method for detecting surface and sub-surface indications including cracks, pits, corrosion, and damage due to temperature or fatigue.