TECHNOVOTUM - development and production of equipment and technologies for non-destructive testing (NDT)

Tomographic 2.8, NDT Regulations V.2-2013



Application "Tomographic 2.8" implements the combined ultrasonic testing of wheel sets of cargo vehicles in accordance with requirements of the NDT Regulations V.2 "Rules of nondestructive testing of parts and components of vehicle wheel sets during repair. Special requirements " approved by 59th Meeting of the Railway Transport Council of the Community states-members (Meeting minutes no.59 of 19-20 November, 2013) with amendments and additions approved by Meeting of the Railway Transport Council of the Community states-members (Meeting minutes no.63, p.7 of  4-5 November, 2015), and NDT PS V.21-1 elaborated on the basis of the NDT Regulations V.2.

Specialized procedure "Tomographic 2.8" provides the following:

  • Manual ultrasonic testing of wheel sets of RU1 and RU1Sh types under “mandatory” versions of method AR1.1, AR1.2, AR1.3, AR2, AR3, AR3.1, ТR2 and “supplementary” versions of method AR4, ТR1;
  • Manual ultrasonic testing of wheel sets of RV2Sh type under “mandatory” versions of method AR1.2, AR1.5, AR2, AR3, AR3.1, ТR2 and “supplementary” versions of method AR4, ТR1;
  • Mechanized ultrasonic testing of wheel sets of RU1, RU1Sh and RV2Sh types under “mandatory” versions of method ВR1, ВR2, ВR3, ВR4;
  • Mechanized ultrasonic testing of wrought wheels of wheel sets under “mandatory” versions of method DR2.1, DR2.2, DR3.1, DR3.3 and “supplementary” version of method WR;
  • Manual ultrasonic testing of wrought wheels of wheel sets under “mandatory” version of method DR4.

Mechanized ultrasonic testing of wrought wheels is performed using scanning device USK-5ТМ and ensures control of required zones for single revolution with possibility of tomographic imaging and determination of coordinates of defective area.
If required, scanner USK-5TM is equipped with eddy-current probe to reveal manufacturer’s marks in order to prevent the over reject of wheels (false flaw responses in the marking area). Due to built-in multi-channel system, ultrasonic and eddy-current probes operate simultaneously.

Mechanized ultrasonic testing of wheel set axles using scanning devices USO-1ТМ for ultrasonic testing of axles of RU1, RU1Sh types and USO-1RV2Sh for ultrasonic testing of axles of RV2Sh type is performed from the part ahead of wheel seat and ensures control of required zones without dismantling of axle box for single revolution with possibility of tomographic imaging and determination of coordinates of defective area. For preliminary preparation of tested surface (cleaning from operational pollution), mechanical scanner of cleaning UOO-1T with replaceable cartridges (knives) is offered to user. During ultrasonic testing of wrought wheels and wheel set axles using scanning devices USK-5ТМ, USO-1ТМ and USO-1RV2Sh, A-scan of current area is displayed on the flaw detector screen with all PEP’s within composition of scanning device in operation. During testing, data on all PEP’s (device movement over tested object) is displayed on С-scan.

Concept of the "Tomographic 2.8" application is oriented toward maximal deemphasizing of human factor by means of implementation of following functions:

  • automatic gain control allows user not to spend time for selection of required gain.
  • automatic determination of rejectable level and relationship between rejectable level of the method version and amplitude of echo-signal from reflector in reference block corresponding with such method version required for every shift check of the main ultrasonic testing parameters by means of reference block;
  • automatic DAC adjustment for ultrasonic testing axes under method versions AR2 and AR3;
  • acoustic contact tracing;
  • full PEP monitoring;
  • automatic tuning out of structural noises;
  • visualization of flaws, including equivalent area, location depth and spatial orientation.

Special software “Railway NDT operator AWS” supplied with Tomographic UD4-ТМ flaw detector allows documentation of test results, their storing in electronic database and preparation of the wheel set certificate. Also, at delivery, training demo clips on operation with specialized applications are built-in in the instrument and facilitates significantly familiarization with instrument.