KANDE is
pleased to offer the USBox data collection system which combines KANDE
International's software with Lecoeur Electronique's hardware.
Originally
developed to meet KANDE's own requirements for a low-cost but highly
flexible UT system for in-house development work, USBox is an
inexpensive ultrasonic digital instrument with many of the capabilities
expected in top-end data collection systems. USBox is ideally
suited for training, technique development, general laboratory use or
long-term monitoring applications.
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USBox
is used in conjunction
with a suitable Windows PC and is housed in a
small module which plugs into a USB port and draws its power from the
host PC. System software is loaded onto the PC which is used
to
control the data collection process and to review collected data, or,
in the case of remote applications, to transmit it to wherever it is to
be analysed.
The USBox has
one transmit/receive and one receive channel. The transmit
pulse
is adjustable up to 230V and the receiver has a 12bit, 80MHz digitiser
with a range of filters. In addition, two encoder inputs and
three analogue gate outputs are available.
The
recently
introduced US-Key has a similar specification but without the
additional I/O capability and is supplied in the form of a 'memory
stick'.
Using
KANDE USBox software the user can collect and display UT data in flaw
detector (A-scan) and B-scan views, with the familiar flaw detector
interface making it easy to set-up the basic data collection parameters.
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B-scans
can be collected in time based (free running), position encoded or
externally triggered modes and can even be used in a temperature
controlled mode with the addition of a suitable thermocouple and
controller. For monitoring uses, the data collection interval
can
range from a fraction of a second to many days, in such uses the A-scan
display can be 'Live', to show that everything is working as required
or 'Quiet' to avoid interference with other measurement
processes. Correlation based processing can be applied during
data collection, or on stored data, to help make small changes in
signals easier to detect, either by activating alarms or by modifying
the display by supressing records that have not changed significantly
from the previous record.
A
range of other data processing
algorithms are also supplied, including optimised depth calibration,
hyperbolic cursors, lateral wave straightening, constant feature
removal, SAFT processing and adjustable 3D plotting. These
are
primarily intended for post-processing applications but during
long-term monitoring operation they can be applied on all or part of
the data collected up to the point of application without disrupting
on-going data collection.
The USBox data format is also
compatible with KANDE InSight data display and analysis software which
opens up the possibility of performing even more advanced signal
processing.
KANDE USBox features include:
- Pulse
echo or TOFD data collection and display.
- Adjustable
DAC.
- Adjustable
signal averaging
- Three
adjustable gates and alarms.
- Position
monitoring as part of the data collection process (requires suitable
encoder/scanner).
- A
wide range of probe firing intervals, making the system suitable for
both conventional scanning and for long term monitoring operations.
- Temperature
controlled data collection (requires optional thermocouple and
controller).
- 'Quiet
mode' operation.
- Long
timebase (up to approx 4.75m range in steel).
- Hardware
or software filters.
- Frequency
analysis mode.
- B-scan
compression and B-scan alarm on change/alarm on gate processing with
event logging.
- Multi-mode
depth calibration tool.
- Advanced
signal processing tools.
- Data
format compatible with KANDE InSight software.
- Auto-connect
and auto-run options at system start.
- Simultaneous
operation of up to four USBoxes.
For
TOFD familiarization and training a simple manual scanner and
suitable UT
probes can be supplied if required.
Lecoeur
also offer a number of hardware options including:
- US-Key
version (without I/O features)
- Multiple
channel systems.
- Hgh
energy (400V) toneburst pulser.
- High
speed (160MHz) digitizer.
- Ruggedised
case
Further
information please contact
KANDE International
For
more information on Lecoeur please visit their website
