I started my career in quality assurance and configuration management in 1963. On April 10th of the same year, the USS Thresher SSN 593 sank during its sea trials, leading to the tragic loss of 112 Naval Personnel and 17 civilians.
Where does the bulk of NDT training responsibility lie, in the classroom or in the field? Nondestructive testing (NDT) is crucial for ensuring safety and reliability. However, there is an ongoing debate about where the bulk of NDT training responsibility lies.
Manufacturing requires testing every product. Force measurement ensures reliability. AI helps analyze data for streamlined quality control to prevent future failures.
NDT personnel must be qualified and certified to perform their tasks safely and correctly. BINDT provides certification options for central certification under the PCN banner, complying with BS EN ISO 9712:2022. Other certification systems, such as employer-based schemes, also exist.
I was a whistleblower who exposed fraudulent activities at Ultrasonic Research and Testing Laboratory in Dallas, Texas, back in 1991. The reaction of some people in the nondestructive testing (NDT) community surprised me since the industry is a close-knit group with many connections between individuals.
Human error is inevitable, but nondestructive testing (NDT) helps prevent disasters by meticulously checking materials and components, ensuring their readiness and averting potential losses of lives and finances.
In the field of NDT, industrial ultrasonic testing (UT) is a long-established method. However, new materials and components are finding their way into the industry, requiring continuous technological advances. With stricter regulations, workforce shortages, and rising inspection needs worldwide, the urgency for smarter, more efficient inspection methods is critical.
Dale Norwood of Norwood NDT Consulting describes how he blew the whistle on an NDT company in the 1990s after seeing falsified inspections. He's a 45-year veteran of the NDT industry, as well as the owner of the Norwood NDT Consulting and the author of the recent book, Diary of an Aerospace Whistleblower.
Donald Booth of the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing now offers a range of NDT training options for others in the industry. We sat down with him to discuss how training has changed over the years and how to get the most out of your classroom and on-the-job training.