GE SpotChecker, Operating Manual

Page: 53 / 98

this, sampling tests are carried out. It goes without
saying that the frequency with the low-cost, nonde-
structive chipping tests producing unreliable inspec-
tion results is higher than with the micrographic exami-
nation giving reliable inspection results, yet requiring a
lot of cost and energy.
If we look at the inspection methods usually applied to
in-process inspections at a higher inspection frequen-
cy and acceptable with regard to the costs involved,
only the chipping test using chisel and the ultrasonic
inspection are competitive in principle.
This rough overview of the current inspection possibili-
ties already reveals the reasons for the high motiva-
tion with which the well-known, unsolved problem of
nondestructive inspection of spot welds using ultra-
sonics has been extensively taken up again for some
years now.
Ultrasonic inspection of spot welds within automotive industry
Individual inspection reports
SpotChecker Issue 02, 03/2009
53