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.

You are now required to consider “climate change” within your management system.

Quality spoke with Praveen Gupta about how to expect excellence, strive for defect free manufacturing, and link the CAPA process, FMEA model and eventually innovation. He will be speaking at The Quality Show South Thursday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m.

Electronics manufacturing needs advanced metrology to create high-reliability components. Technology is advancing to combine metrology and microscopy for better defect identification.

Marposs Corp., a manufacturer of measurement, inspection and test technologies, recently introduced the e.d.c. AST320/W, an automated system for testing the windings, coils and stators of electric motors in production environments.

Air gages work well due to three main reasons: they are body-piloting type, use dual-opposing sensor method, and have a noncontact sensing component. These features are present in most air gage designs, including ID/OD air probe, air ring, and air length gages.

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.

3D Engineering Solutions offers 3D scanning, reverse engineering, quality control, fixture and tool design, ISO 17025 certified inspection services, and 3D digitizing, noncontact laser scanning with a focus on quality. For their high standards and dedication to quality, 3D Engineering Solutions is our 2024 Quality Plant of the Year winner.

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.