Go Back to Archive List
 
Inside this Issue:

April 2007
  • International Training Interests Grows
  • Equipment Tip - Precision for High Noise
  • NEW - Cost Calculator for Leak Surveyors
  • Level 1 Training - Guelph, ON May 15-17th
  • i-Presentation addresses acoustic lube issues
  • 2007 Level 1 Training Schedule
International Inspector Training on the Rise

Allan Rienstra, Editor
The Ultrawave Technology Report

A growth in interest for Ultrasound Inspector Training is more apparent this year than last as our certification classes have seen an enormous increase in enrollment in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Pacific Rim countries. This can be credited to several things including:

  • Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of airborne ultrasound testing.

  • Course offerings in multiple languages (currently SDT's courses are written in English and Spanish with plans to expand to French, Dutch, and German in 2007-2008).

  • Word of mouth through conferences, technical gatherings, and community websites like www.reliabilityweb.com and www.maintenancenews.com.

In the first quarter alone SDT trainers have attended to four SOLD OUT International events in Mexico, Singapore, and Belgium with more scheduled for the second and third quarters.  Feedback from the 50+ attendees is similar to that given by North American students. The top three reasons for attaining Certification are:

  1. To implement or restart an ultrasound program

  2. To obtain a better understanding of all the applications

  3. To work with real world practical situations so as to increase confidence when they return to the factory.

Interestingly enough, the feedback and comments received by attendees is right in line with the published goals of the SDT Certification Training Program.

Equipment Tip - Precision focusing your ultrasound detector
The airborne sensor on your ultrasound detector is already very directional in comparison to our own ears. This is a function of the property of sound at different frequencies. Low frequencies (audible) sound propagates at a wider angle than sound at a higher frequency (ultrasound).  In simple terms, the higher the frequency, the more directional the sound moves through it's medium. As ultrasound inspectors we use this to our advantage. When searching for airborne problems in high noise environments use through simple equipment modifiers like Precision Indicators, Extended Distance Horn, and Parabolic Dish.

A Precision Indicator (PI) is a simple pipe connection with rubber focusing tip which threads directly to the internal airborne sensor of the SDT 170. Every kit is delivered with this accessory included (see drawing at right). The PI performs two jobs. First, it narrows the angle of reception of the airborne sensor and second, it blocks parasite ultrasound sources from interfering with the inspection.  Imagine the difficulty of pinpoint an air leak in a textile mill where the sound of air leaking is a normal part of the process. Using the PI in this instance will reduce inspection time in half or better.

Click Here for additional compressed air leak detection resources

SDT170 and Precision Indicator Attachment

Using the Precision Indicator and SDT170 to pinpoint instrument air leakage
NEW!!! Interactive Leak Calculator Estimates the Cost of Found Leaks

Now calculating the benefits of your ultrasonic leak survey program is easier, and more accurate than ever. Our simple to follow program asks you to enter standard information about your compressed air system and compressor equipment. Then, choose between two options for calculation

1. Estimated Orifice Size

2. dBµV measured with SDT 170 Meter

Green boxes indicate data entry requirements by you and Calculations are automatically provided in the Red boxes.

Download your complimentary Interactive Leak Calculator Today
Level 1 Training - Guelph, Ontario May 15-17th
Join us at the facility of Blount Canada in Guelph, Ontario May 15-17th for our next Level 1 Ultrasound Certification Training. Blount Canada has graciously opened their doors to us. Their huge training/conference room will comfortably accommodate more than 20 students and access has been granted to the plant floor for a hands on practical experience of a lifetime.

Blount is a diverse industrial company consisting of two business segments: The Outdoor Products Group and the Industrial and Power Equipment Group.

Blount's focus is on manufacturing products which offer superior competitive advantage and hold leading market share positions, industry-leading distribution, and exceptional customer service. Our operations employ over 3,000 people.

Blount manufactures its products in the United States, Canada, China, and Brazil, and sells them in more than 100 countries

Register early, space is limited for this one-of-a-kind training event

Level 1 Instructor Debra Smith has conducted trainings on three continents and has certified more than 1000 inspectors!

Join her in Guelph, Ontario May 15-17th

Register
New i-presentation addresses the keys to acoustic lubrication

An iPresentation Tutorial by Gus Velasquez with Narration by Allan Rienstra SDT North America

Everyone knows that implementing and following best practices in lubrication is a fundamental part of a machine’s reliability yet there are still lots of machine failures related to poor lubrication.

Usually lubrication performance is evaluated through laboratory analysis and temperature monitoring. But greases are difficult to analyze after being used and a temperature rise is not always indicative of a marginal lubrication condition.
Now, thanks to ultrasound monitoring there are new and more reliable ways to evaluate the performance of lubrication.

Lubrication is always a hot topic in reliability circles and everyone is becoming more aware of the use of acoustics for optimizing lubrication. In this short presentation we will  show you how ultrasound is a wonderful tool to compliment your lubrication program.  

Click here for Ultrasound & Lubrication i-presentation

Trending Bearings for Acoustic Lubrication
2007 Level 1 Training Schedule Leak Detection Techniques
  • Chicago, IL - April 17-19
  • Guelph, ON - May 15-17
  • Louisville, KY - May 22-24
  • San Diego, CA - June 19-21
  • Minneapolis, MN - July 24-26
  • Portland, OR - August 7-9
  • Nashville, TN - August 28-30
  • Queretaro, MX - September 10-12
  • Pittsburgh, PA - September 25-27
  • San Jose, CA - October 23-25
  • Kansas City, MO - November 6-7
  • Atlanta, GA - December 4-5

Click here for full details

The key to learning is hands-on practical experience. Here students get real world training detecting leaks on a pneumatic bed at SMC Pneumatics Chilean headquarters. These are life experiences that make the difference for your compressed air surveyor program
We take your privacy seriously
The Ultrawave Technology Report is published regularly by SDT North America and is intended to provide information to anyone with an interest in this technology about current and future events.  If you have questions about this email or the format in which its received please contact Allan Rienstra.  If you do not wish to receive these updates you can request removal from the list at anytime by sending an email to allan@sdtnorthamerica.com.

You can also reach us by telephone at (905) 377-1313 (International) or 1-800-667-5325 (USA & Canada)
SDT North America, PO Box 682, Cobourg, ON - K9A 4R5