FAAST PA Parallel PAUT

FAAST-PA is a Phased Array instrument (PAUT) which is much more powerful than any conventional phased array electronic.

Thanks to its sinusoidal pulser and its real time data processing software, the FAAST has the capability to transmit multiple sound beams, multi-oriented and/or multi-focused, using multi-element probes with only one single shot, and then to process signals received from all beams in real time.

This patented technology (WO 03029808) revolutionizes the NDT field when speaking about UT inspection thanks to its high speed testing capabilities, as it is able to replace several conventional Phased Array systems running in parallel. It offers even more than speed as it also reduces the number of phased array probes, mechanical parts, maintenance and calibration time.

The FAAST technology can be applied to any type of application (tubes, bars, plates, aircraft components, railroad, etc…), on different materials (Titanium, Aluminium, Steel, Special Alloy, Copper, Composites, etc…) and in any industries.

Thanks to the FAAST PA technology you can combine all the delay laws within one shot.

The multi-angle is one of the prominent capabilities of our Phased Array FAAST (PAUT) for generating multiple beams using a multi-element probe and up to 64 beam orientations or even more, are generated simultaneously in one single shot. Signals are processed in real time, up to 64 directions simultaneously, but this does not restrict the number of beams. This advanced acquisition mode can be used with either 1D linear probe or 2D Matrix multi-element probe

The multi-focal is one of the other prominent capabilities of our UT FAAST Phased Array (PAUT) system allowing the generation of multifocal beams through a multi-element probe in one single shot.

The principle of Phased Array is to calculate the delay laws to focus at a given depth and/or angle and this method is usually used with either 1D linear or 2D matrix multi-element probes.The advantage of Phased Array compare to mono-element, cylindrical or spherical focusing, is the possibility to calculate the delay laws by Software instead of having a concave probe for each focus depth.

When considering the multizone testing with 1 multi-element probe, 1D or 2D matrix, the Multi-focal advanced acquisition mode from the  FAAST PA is a real strength as it allows the reduction of the number of required shots due to its capacity to transmit multiple focal delay laws in one shot.

The FAAST PA offers also the possibility to shot at different frequencies (within the bandwidth of the probe) using the same probe, and firing simultaneously. For example, this is useful to generate 0° ultrasound beams at 5MHz and 7MHz in one single shot.

For pipe inspection, we have used the multi-frequency features using a 1D linear multi-element probe, meaning that with one probe, we are able to make wall thickness measurement at 5MHz, and delamination inspection at 7.5MHz, within 1 single shot and using only 1 probe.

You can see below how accurate you can be when using the FAAST PA Advanced DDF. But even importantly you inspect your parts way faster !