Fret Replica Inspection Laser Scanner (FRILS)

Flaw Stress Analysis Services By Industry Experts

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Essential expertise

Detailed knowledge of flaw geometry is crucial in the stress analysis of flaws found in the thin-walled zirconium alloy pressure tubes of CANDU reactors. While ultrasonic inspection can provide much of the required data, measurement of the sharpness, or root radius at the bottom of the flaw, requires a replica of the flaw to be taken and subsequently measured.

FRILS1 equipment was developed and has been used for this measurement since 1994. A more advanced FRILS3 system was built in 1999. Both FRILS systems have the more generic ability to perform detailed surface profiling of replicas.

The FRILS systems have a depth resolution of < 1 micrometer and traceable depth accuracy to better than 50 micrometers. The FRILS systems are also capable of measuring root radius of < 40 micrometers. The FRILS3 system features additional hardware allowing debris flaws to be profiled using a controlled helical scan, and from viewing angles that readily see flaw undercut.

Only preliminary FRILS3 software has been custom developed to collect data from scans. The FRILS1 software is presently used to provide all data display features and automated analysis.

Features:

• Narrow (20 micrometers) laser stripe, CCD camera with zoom optics
• Portable hardware
• Depth resolution to <1 micrometer at high magnification (presently 50 micrometers traceable accuracy)
• Can measure root radius to < 40 micrometers
• Portable data files, may be analyzed on most typical desktop computers
• Measurement on rubber replicas – no hard cast required
• Several hundred surface profiles per fret if desired (up to 3000 profiles per scan)
• The width of each surface profile is 1 to 5 mm, and a scan is up to 50 mm long
• Colour graphics highlight deepest/sharpest locations in fret (FRILS1 software)
• Automatic reporting of fret location, depth, width, length, volume (FRILS1 software)
• Multi-axis movement for optimum sample orientation:
  • Motorized scanning axes: 2 for FRILS1, 4 for FRILS3
  • Manual alignment axes: 2 for FRILS1, 1 for FRILS3
• For FRILS3, every profile is a true cross section:
  • Proper depth is determined even when the surface is sloped such as at a rolled joint, or when the flaw is wider than a FRILS1 scan
  • Cross section shape is valid even if the shape changes over a small axial distance (e.g. 0.1 mm) such as is typical for debris flaws
• FRILS3 can perform helical scans for flaws that are not axially orientated
• With FRILS3, non-axial long flaws can often be scanned in one helical scan

For more information, contact

Scott McNabb, 416.207.6000 x6291, scott.mcnabb@kinectrics.com

Kevin Maynard, 416.207.6000 x5477, kevin.maynard@kinectrics.com