Zetec TOPAZ Instruction Manual
www.zetec.com
TOPAZ
TM
Technical Guidelines –Release 3.7R21
TOPAZ is one of the most efficient and
versatile non-destructive testing (NDT)
instrument. Simply brilliant!
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 2
Table of Content
Table of Content ........................................................................................................................................... 2
1. PaintBrush Scanner Support ................................................................................................................. 3
2. Auto-Crossing Gates.............................................................................................................................. 6
3. Probe Position Marker .......................................................................................................................... 7
4. Interpolation for Volumetric Merge ..................................................................................................... 9
5. Compound Scan .................................................................................................................................. 11
6. Path Correction for Pitch-&-Catch Configuration ...............................................................................15
7. TCG Auto Calibration........................................................................................................................... 16
8. C-Scan Stitching................................................................................................................................... 17
9. Wedge Definition Mode...................................................................................................................... 22
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 3
1. PaintBrush Scanner Support
NDT PaintBrush™ is a hand held scanner with dual encoder design that allows free motion on a scan-
index inspection canvas. Not bounded by single axis motion, it allows you to freely paint over the
surface to examine for enhance wall thickness measurements. NDT PaintBrush features were integrated
to the TOPAZ™ and now available in UltraVision through the touch interface.
To create an inspection configuration with your PaintBrush scanner:
1. Start-up your TOPAZ
2. Connect the encoder feedback cable of the PaintBrush scanner to your TOPAZ;
A window will pop-up showing the detection process.
3. Define your specimen;
4. To define your PaintBrush inspection sequence, go to the Mechanical menu:
a. In the Sequence tab, select PaintBrush;
Figure 1-1 PaintBrush Sequence Selection
b. For the Scan and Index-axis, define the Start, Stop and Resolution of the inspection
sequence;
c. In the PaintBrush tab, click Position
The PaintBrush Position window appears.
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 4
Figure 1-2 PaintBrush Position Window
d. In the PaintBrush Position window (refer to Figure 1-3):
i. Define the Fork Offset if different than default.
When PaintBrush is connected, the Fork Offset value is set automatically. The
Fork Offset value is the length of the probe holder (from the front of the
scanner to the rotation point of the wedge).
ii. Define the Orientation Preset.
Orientation of the scanner according to the scan and index axes
iii. Define the Scan Preset.
Distance between the scanner reference point and the origin of scan/index
coordinate system along the scan axis.
iv. Define the Index Preset.
Distance between the scanner reference point and the origin of scan/index
coordinate system along the index axis.
v. You can also move the PaintBrush on the display by tapping on any corner or
rotate it by tapping directly on it.
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 5
Figure 1-3 PaintBrush Position - Parameters Definition
IMPORTANT
It is important that your defined positioning is exactly where you will start your
inspection for your data to be properly mapped on your specimen. Scan Reference
Offset and Index Reference Offset are automatically defined from the values above.
These values are defined per the probe/wedge assembly reference point (green dot
on the front of the scanner).
e. Click Accept once the start location and orientation are correctly defined.
5. Complete the definition of your inspection configuration.
For more information see your PaintBrush scanner user manual.
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 6
2. Auto-Crossing Gates
Gates are used to extract information from an A-scan signal in order to create C-scan data, turn ON or
OFF an alarm signal, obtain information (signal amplitude, location...) or set a signal synchronization.
The trigger parameter allows you to define if the detection gate data will take into account the crossing
threshold location (Crossing) or the maximum peak location (Maximum) within the gate.
Two new triggering modes have now been added: Crossing (-6dB) and Crossing (-12dB).
In these two modes, the detection threshold changes according to the maximum amplitude of the signal
within the gate. Threshold is automatically adjusted at -6dB or -12dB from the live maximum signal
amplitude.
This feature is useful to compensate signal response variations due to uneven surfaces caused by
corrosion or pitting.
To implement auto-crossing gates:
1. In the UT Settings menu, go in the Gates tab.
Figure 2-1 UT Settings menu - Gates Tab
2. Click Trigger.
3. Select Crossing (-6dB).
To adjust the automatic threshold setting to -6dB from the maximum signal amplitude.
OR
Select Crossing (-12dB).
To adjust the automatic threshold setting to -12dB from the maximum signal amplitude.
Your detection is now set in auto-crossing mode.
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 7
3. Probe Position Marker
The probe position marker is a live cursor that displays the probe’s position in real time during the
inspection. It provides a reliable and constant visual feedback for encoded scanning sequences and is
the perfect tool to ensure complete examination coverage when using your PaintBrush™ scanner.
The probe cursor is displayed as a pink marker in your volumetric views (Top, Side and End).
Figure 3-1 Probe Cursor on VC-Top (C) Display for a Focal Law at 60°
The orientation and length of the Probe cursor, in the displayed view, is computed based on the
selected focal law beam orientation (refracted and skew angles). By default, the probe cursor is always
displayed in your Top, Side and End views.
To change the Probe cursor properties:
1. Click on the desired view (Top, Side or End) to display the View Settings toolbar.
2. Click View Properties.
The View Properties window appears
3. Select Probe Cursor to display the different parameter options.
Probe Cursor
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 8
Figure 3-2 View Properties Window - Probe Cursor Options
4. Select Always.
To always display the Probe cursor (in setup and acquisition mode).
OR
Select Acquisition Only.
To display the Probe cursor only during data acquisition (acquisition mode).
OR
Select Hide.
To hide the Probe cursor.
You can now adjust the Probe cursor settings to better fit your application.
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 9
4. Interpolation for Volumetric Merge
The volumetric Merge function now includes the use of sectorial interpolation, which fills the empty
spaces in merged views. Those empty spaces are a typical result when performing volumetric merges of
data acquired with azimuthal focal laws (multiple refracted angles).
Figure 4-1 Volumetric Merge without Interpolation
Figure 4-2 Volumetric Merge with Interpolation
This interpolation is applied by default to the volumetric merge process.
TOPAZ –Technical Guidelines 10
To modify the use of the interpolation option:
1. In the Analysis menu, go to Processing tab.
2. Click Merge Custom.
The Merge Custom window appears.
Figure 4-3 Merge Custom Window
3. Click Use Interpolation to select:
Yes
To use the interpolation during the volumetric merge processing.
OR
No
To disable the interpolation during the volumetric merge processing.
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