Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM)

Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) is particularly suited for the detection and sizing of fatigue cracks on various surfaces. There are excellent opportunities for the ACFM method on mining equipment such as Haul Trucks and Shovels especially for the detection of structural cracks. Haul Truck frames are an excellent application for ACFM. The ability to find and size cracks accurately before the prescribed Preventative Maintenance schedule, saves in numerous lost time hours. Components on Shovels such as side rails, ring gears, dipper sticks, saddle blocks, gantry components and booms are just a few of the areas where the ACFM will work perfectly.

Traditional inspection techniques such as Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant, Ultrasonics and Phased Array Ultrasonics are very time consuming. Magnetic Particle and Liquid Penetrant can only inspect surface breaking indications, but cannot size the defects. Ultrasonics cannot be used for surface breaking inspections. Each one of these inspections requires a completely clean component before they can be inspected. ACFM is an excellent alternative to Magnetic Particle and Dye Penetrant Inspection techniques.

Benefits

• Works equally well on parent material or welds, ferrous or non-ferrous metals.
• Inspections include hot surfaces, underwater, or in bright environments.
• Provides both depth and length information. Defects up to 25mm (1") in depth. Can be sized accurately.
• Rapid scanning using a hand-held probe.
• Reliable crack detection and sizing (length and depth).
• Dramatically reduces most cleaning requirements with no need to clean to bare metal.
• Capable of inspection through thin metallic coatings, or through non-conducting coatings up to 10mm thick.
• Full data storage for back-up, off-line view and audit purposes.
• Intelligent probes to simplify operation.
• Operating Temperature: -20°C to +40°C -4°F to +104°F

• Download Sample of a Haul Truck Inspection using ACFM PDF
• Download Case Study - Crack Sensor Installation

Engineering

Multiple applications in surface breaking crack detection and sizing for ACFM:

• Mobile Mining Equipment
• Process plant and refinery applications – ability to use in a wet environment
• Oil and Gas – particular for thread inspection on drill pipe in the drilling industry
• Power Generation – both Nuclear and non-nuclear
• Inspections through coatings
• Railways
• Heavy Engineering
• Theme Park rides
• Ship Hulls
• Pedestrian and roadway brides
• Underwater weld inspections for offshore platforms