Time of flight diffraction (TOFD)
Our TOFD software is used on 5 continents and the feedback is consistent – our ToFD software is excellent!
The software is contained within the familiar TD software shell and is therefore only a click away while using any of our advanced ultrasonic systems – TD Pocket-Scan, TD Handy-Scan and TD Focus-Scan. The user interface of our TOFD module is similar to our pulse echo and phased array software with Windows® style drop-down menus and tabbed windows for setting up the hardware. The software shares many common setup features with our other software modules making it efficient and convenient to use, especially for multi-mode/multi-channel setups. Different TOFD setups and multiple probe sets can be used in multi-channel pro-cedures exclusively or together with pulse echo and/or phased array.
With our software the user can save setup parameters in a conveniently small file (easy to email) for future use. Exact replication of setup information is easily achieved by loading existing data from either setup files or data files thereby ensuring repeatability. All the setup parameters can be output to a text file for easy inclusion into reports or for auditing purposes.
ToFD Software Features
Acquisition Software
Together with the common controls for ultrasonic setup, Our TOFD software also features:
• Up to 200Mhz sampling rate
• Up to 15Khz PRF
• Offset control for multi-probe scanning
• PCS calculation
• Offset and Skew controls
• Automatic calibration
Analysis Software
Our ToFD software analysis tools are second to none in their ease of use. The TOFD analysis tools in-clude:
• Lateral Wave Straightening (cross-correlation, apex-matching or manual methods)
• Linearization
• Synthetic Aperture Focusing (S.A.F.T.)
• Removal of lateral or backwall signals
• Amplitude correction
• Normal, single or dual parabolic cursors with ‘A’scan display
• Text overlay
• Echo dynamic view
• File split or join
• Data reversal
• Text output of A-scan data
• Bitmap image output
• Built-in reporting feature
Usability & Versatility
Our TOFD software, used in conjunction with the miniature TD Pocket-Scan instrument, makes TOFD scanning on high vessels and pipe racks easy and convenient. The software is housed in a notebook computer at ground level and attached to the Pocket-Scan via an umbilical cable-set 25 meters or more in length. The fast data acquisition rate ensures that your scans contain all data: when scanning with a semi automated setup (hand scanner with encoder) the operator can scan as fast as possible with no ‘missed’ scan lines. Scanning 120 metres of weld in a shift is a common achievement.
The usability of the software is enhanced by the ease with which data can be presented, analysed and processed for reporting purposes. From printing out a one page report from out built in template showing your company logo to exporting UT data in a delimited form for use in a spreadsheet or database to capturing bitmaps of your data for inclusion in your own reporting format in a word processor, it is easy to achieve the professional results demanded by your customers.
Rastered TOFD
When the TD Super-View® software is enabled a new dimension of ToFD data presentation has entered our arena of advanced applications. When using the TD-scan or TD Focus-Scan instruments with Super-View, rastered TOFD is an easy and effective alternative to multiple line scan procedures or indeed multiple UT mode procedures used to determine the volumetric condition of an area of material. Multiple TOFD scans are captured in a raster or comb pattern in a single scan operation using a dual-axis scanner. The data is used to produce a true ‘C’scan with associated TOFD ‘D’scans and ‘B’scans. This method provides a convenient and efficient way to investigate an area of material in minute detail with extreme accuracy. From this composite data it is easy to analyse individual line scans at a click of the mouse with the full analysis capability of our conventional TOFD software.