Latest News

Level I MT-PT Training course scheduled for October 2010 in State College, PA.

Level II UT Training course scheduled for September 2010 in State College, PA.

Level I UT Training course scheduled for August 2010 in State College, PA.

Level III Acoustic Emission Training course completed (July 30) in State College, PA.

Level III UT Training course completed (July 23) in State College, PA.

Level II Acoustic Emission Testing course completed (July 16) in State College, PA

UT weld inspection course completed (July 8) in State College, PA

Level II Ultrasonic Testing course completed (July 2) in State College, PA

Level III UT Training course completed  in State College, PA, June 2010

WINS personnel delivered invited speech on H-Pile inspection technology at "Life cycle performance of bridges and structures" conference at Changsha, China in June 2010

View a presentation on the
Principles and applications of long range ultrasound, from ASNT Greater Phila chapter meeting, April 2010

Level III UT Training course completed  in State College, PA, March 2010

WINS presents talk on ultrasonic guided wave potential towards helicopter maintenance to Indian Air force, February 2010

WINS funded by Transportation Research Board to develop Bridge Cable Inspection Technology, February 2010

Watch 
video
of Wireless Acoustic Emission Sensor Network for Bridge Structural Health Monitoring
Economical Cylinder Recertification

Use MOBILEAE  to recertify steel cylinders economically in lieu of hydrostatic testing. MOBILEAE uses acoustic emission technology (AET) to test cylinders on or off trailers. MOBILEAE is the economical alternative for cylinder recertification. Tubes are tested on the trailer using a lower test pressure than hydrotesting.



WINS' Acoustic Emission Testing complies with U.S DOT requirements; is faster and more economical than hydro testing, and can inspect up to 16 cylinders at once.

WINS' U.S. DOT special permit # 14584 allowss for AET on 3T, 3AA, and 3 AAX cylinders. Testing in Canada is done under permit # TC-SU-6077.



Reports are automatically generated using our System for Tube Testing And Reporting STTAR software.  The software is used to track test pressure and acoustic events from active flaws in the cylinder's wall.  Acoustic events originating from active flaws in the cylinder are identified and located for follow-up ultrasonic testing.  Results from up to 16 tubes may be viewed simultaneously.

Follow-up ultrasonic inspection is required only if the acoustic emission test detects an active flaw in the cylinder.  Both our AE and UT inspections use the latest ASME standards as guidelines.


AE Inspection Procedure

WINS AE inspection procedure follows the ASTM E 1419 Standard Test for Examination of Seamless, Gas-Filled, Pressure Vessels Using Acoustic Emission and ISO 16148. Our instrumentation is calibrated on each tube tested.  After calibration, the tubes are loaded to 110%.  During this loading period active flaws, if present, in the cylinder's wall will emit high frequency sound waves.  These sound waves travel longitudinally in the cylinder until they are detected by the by piezoelectric sensors located at each  end of the cylinder.  The relative time-of-flight of the sound wave at each transducer is used to locate the flaw longitudinally.


Follow-up UT Inspection

A follow-up ultrasonic inspection is required only if the AE inspection detects an active flaw during the loading period.   Our inspection procedure follows ASTM E 2223 Standard Practice for Examination of Seamless, Gas-Filled, Steel Pressure Vessels Using Angle Beam Ultrasonics.


These follow-up tests use 45-degree and 70-degree shear waves to locate and size detected flaws accurately.   Ultrasonic transducers are scanned longitudinally and circumferentially along the cylinder's OD during this test.


Qualified and Experienced Staff

With thousands of cylinders tested in the United States, Canada, Asia, and Australia we have a proven track record for high quality nondestructive testing services and safety.