-New equipment System combines size gauging with hole and crack detection A single production system which is capable of testing automatic transmissions for the correct dimensions as well as the absence of holes and cracks has been developed by K.J. Law Engineers Inc of Michigan, USA

The Model 23402 combines dimensional gauging, eddy current crack detection and optical imaging into a fully automated inspection system.

The system uses the M8200 Verigage controller, along with a Model 730-111 Verimet crack detection instrument and an optical image computer provided by an outside supplier. All three instruments are microprocessor controlled and SPC capable.

The system operates at a production rate of 450 parts per hour. Transmission shafts are fed into a dimensional gauging station where two inside diameters (ID) and three outside diameters are measured using a combination of air gauge spindles and contact transducers. The Verigage computes the taper of the ID and stores all dimensions for part sorting and SPC charting. Unacceptable parts are rejected.

Shafts are then inspected for cracks in two inner and one outer diameter location. Pre-set thresholds enable the Verimet Model 730-111 instrument to sort and reject bad parts before they reach the final test station.

The final station uses three production video cameras to

One system from K.J. Law does three jobs

inspect oil flow holes for burrs, blockage and proper orientation. Faulty parts are rejected; acceptable parts leave the in-line machine ready for final assembly.

KJ. Law Engineers Inc, 23660 Research Drive, Farmington Hills, 114148024-1089, USA

An electronically-controlled hand-held ultraviolet light source is being marketed in the UK by UVA Light of Wolverhamp ton.

Built by Dr Honle in the FRG, the Uvahand 200 can be operated with a black light filter glass for the fluorescent examination of materials. The high intensity means that blackout conditions are not necessary. Uvalight, 6 Butts Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 5QD, UK

Hardness tester said to improve productivity An 'intelligent' hardness tester from CV Instruments Ltd of Bradford, UK, is said to improve efficiency and increase productivity.

Once set up, batches can be tested in cycle times of about 8 s per part depending on the hardness of material being checked. For hard materials a diamond is used for the indentor, but for softer, less homogeneous items down to Brinell 40, this is changed for a carbide ball. Process times are adjusted automatically in the tester by a transducer and microprocessor which monitors the in-feed of the indentor until no further movement is detected.

The standard hardness tester is equipped to give indication of hardness in Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell B and Rockwell C, with pushbutton selection of the required range. Other hardness scales can be provided according to customers' requirements.

The indentation is said to be a maximum 0.1 5 mm which means the part is not damaged and also enables materials to be checked after case hardening. The tester has an in-built RS232 outlet.

CV Instruments Ltd, Bowers Internal Gauge Co Ltd, 32 Leeds Old Road, Bradford, Yorks BD3 8HV, UK

NDT wallchart designed to aid choice of best testing technique

A free visual aid to help in the task of choosing the best NDT method for inspection problems has been produced by the National Nondestructive Testing Centre at Harwell and the British Institute of NDT.

Entitled "Quality Technology- a guide to nondestructive testing methods, services and information sources" it presents a summary of UK NDT expertise on a wallchart. It

explains 30 different NDT techni- ques and incorporates a 'method selector' table to help users identify an appropriate technique for their particular inspection task.

Other parts of the wallchart display details of NDT equipment supplied by the Trade Group member companies of the British Institute of NDT, together with the various services available from its Service Inspection Group. Also included is

a section on useful sources of information, such as handbooks, NDT codes and standards and national resources in the testing, quality assurance and monitoring field.

For a copy of the wallchart contact: Phil Lawrence, Information Services Manager, National NDT Centre, Harwell Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX1 10RA, UK

190 NDT International June 1 987