Authors:

Matt Bellis

Publication:

The NDT Technician, Volume 17, Issue 1

Publication Date: 2 January 2018Testing Method:

Visual Testing

Nondestructive testing (NDT) encompasses a wide range of measurement and analysis techniques employed to characterize the material properties and condition of objects (for example, to determine if there is any damage) without resulting in any damage to the object. Although market sizes and forecasts vary, several analysts identify the market size to be on the order of $15 billion in 2016 (Research and Markets, 2017). The field of nondestructive testing ensures that infrastructure and assets remain safe and useable, as well as provides global opportunities for employment, investment, and the development of novel solutions. Over the past decade, 3D imaging for shape detection has emerged as a valuable NDT method. 3D imaging has been used in the following areas: •in manufacturing quality control to compare fabricated parts with the part design; •in construction to compare as-built structures with the original design; •in manufacturing to identify and orient parts for placement into larger assemblies; •in infrastructure inspection for assessment of damage; •in infrastructure inspection to identify areas of damage. There are many methods for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object. This article will focus on two 3D optical imaging technologies and the application of these technologies to nondestructive testing: laser line scanning and structured light.

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