Request for Proposal
Rapid Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of Welded Seams
Status: RFP is Closed
For questions and comments, you are welcome to contact the Ninesigma Programme Manager, Oliver Worsfold.
Email: worsfold@ninesigma.com
RFP was closed on
Feb 2019
RFP Title
Rapid Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of Welded Seams
RFP Description
NineSigma, representing a global manufacturer, invites proposals from organisations and consultants to provide Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) analysis of 3D weld structures in complex jointed systems.
Background
NineSigma's client is the leading supplier of welded product structures to various industries. Current QC analysis of the weld structures involves destructive testing of the product to determine the quality of the weld. This offline process is expensive in terms of product waste, but mainly in terms of analysis time (several hours).
The quality testing is vital for MSG welded structures to determine the presence of pores, strength of weld and potential failure points. Visual (camera) and simple inline processes can determine the quality of the weld surface, but it has proven difficult to find technologies capable of determining the weld structure of complex shapes (straight / curved lines, etc.) both inside and outside the weld seam.
The proposed solutions must be able to provide quick feedback on the weld seam quality and be able to recognize faulty or scrap products.
The ideal solution would be an inline continuous process, but offline solutions are welcome if they can reduce the analysis time of complex welds.
The client is open to all approaches from proven laboratory based systems to fully commercialized products.
Key Success Criteria
The ideal solution will be able to determine the quality of the welds across various 3D structures and geometries based on the following requirements:
- Weld Characteristics:
- Up to 120 welds per product
- Variety of 3D weld structure shapes
- Steel materials of variable composition (including high carbon content) from 0.8 to 6mm thickness
- Weld Dimensions:
- Seam length: 8 - 45mm
- Seam Height: 1.7 - 3mm
- Weld Penetration: 0.2+ mm
- Seam position detection for identification of deviations regarding seam starting point and seam root
- Capability to advise the client in developing or recommending technologies / partners who can achieve their end targets of inline monitoring
Possible Approaches
The potential solution could be, but is not limited to, one of the following:
- Optical (Lasers / Cameras, etc.)
- Ultrasonic
- Hall effect
- Magnetic Sensors
- X-Ray
- Radio waves
- Microwave
- Vibration
- Other non-destructive testing methods
Approaches not of Interest
Early stage R+D ideas
Preferred Collaboration Types
Items to be Submitted
Appropriate responses will include only non-confidential information:
- Overview of proposed solution
- Status of technology and obstacles to be overcome (if required)
- Ability to determine the quality of the welds across various 3D structures and geometries
- Brief overview of the respondent(s)
- Overview of respondent(s) organization(s)
- IP ownership / policy / freedom to operate
