RESOURCES › Application Notes - Non-Destructive Testing › Leveraging Data for Excellence, Blue Star’s Impact on Aluminum Billet Manufacturing
Leveraging Data for Excellence, Blue Star’s Impact on Aluminum Billet Manufacturing
Aluminum ranks as the third most abundant element on Earth after oxygen and silicon, and constitutes more than 8% of the Earth’s crust. Its versatility is unparalleled, finding applications across a myriad of industries in numerous forms. Particularly, aluminum billets are essential in critical sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and construction, where the stakes for quality and safety are exceptionally high. Rigorous testing of these billets is paramount to identify and eliminate defects, guaranteeing optimal performance. By sticking to strict testing guidelines, manufacturers can create high-quality billets that meet the specific demands of different sectors.
Our client had a customer embarking on a greenfield project that required the manufacturing of aluminum billets. To ensure the success of this project – the quality of the aluminum billets, it was essential to have a robust testing process in the manufacturing line. Our client recognized the need for a reliable assurance mechanism to guarantee that these aluminum billets underwent thorough testing as per the code requirements, ensuring a smooth and successful project completion for their customer.
Blue Star proposed an Inline ultrasonic testing (UT) system meticulously designed to meet the unique demands of billet testing. This custom UT solution represents a breakthrough, significantly enhancing the defect detection. By seamlessly integrating this tailored system into their quality control workflow, Blue Star Industrial Solutions ensured a dependable and consistent standard of quality throughout the entire manufacturing process. The installation process began with setting up the UT equipment and carefully calibrating it to match the specific billet properties. The UT transducers were expertly positioned above the billet’s surface. As ultrasonic waves were emitted, detected signals were analyzed by Blue Star’s advanced industrial computer system, generating visual representations noting whether there were any defects or not. Skilled technicians interpreted these representations to pinpoint defects like cracks or voids. This comprehensive inspection process ultimately helped in ensuring the high quality and integrity of the aluminum billets for industrial applications.
