Manufacturing Technology for Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) System to Implement Retirement for Cause (RFC) Procedures for GAS Turbine Engine Components

Systems Research Laboratories, Inc., with a team of subcontractors, has developed an automated NDE inspection system to detect surface flaws and inclusions in jet engine rotary parts. The system implements the Air Force Retirement for Cause philosophy in which good, used engine parts are returned to service, and flawed components are retired for cause. Emphasis has thus been placed on improving current flaw detection and characterization techniques by using computer algorithms (removing the human decision process) and achieving basic inspection and predictive capabilities via automated eddy current and ultrasonic inspection techniques