EPOCH XT B-Scan Software Option

EPOCH XT B-Scan Software Option

Available on EPOCH XT instruments beginning in April 2008. Instrument software revision 1.1.1.1 or later EPOCH XT must be equipped with the Hardware I/O Port (optional) in order to allow encoded scans.

EPOCH XT B-Scan Key Features

Scan Rate has been increased to up to 1000 measurements / second.

With Floating Gate active the maximum scan rate is 500 meas. / sec. With A-Scan Storage active the maximum scan rate is 60 meas. / sec. The limit on the EPOCH 4 B-Scan is 180 meas. / sec.

Three B-Scan Modes: Bi-Directional encoded, Uni-Directional encoded, and Manual non-encoded. Display Modes

B-Scan only (split or full screen) A-Scan only (split or full screen) B-Scan and A-Scan simultaneously

Store up to 150,000 points per B-scan and up to 100 scans at maximum size. Store A-Scans during B-Scan collection based on:

Alarm Minimum Depth Store All

Limits scan rate to 60 measurements / second

EPOCH XT B-Scan Key Features

B-Scan is compatible with Echo-to-Echo for coated surfaces or when there is a varying water path.

Gate 1 width must be set wide enough to completely cover Gate 2 to avoid loss of signal.

Full compatibility with GageView Pro 3.5

See the GageView Pro 3.5 presentation for the EPOCH XT. This is located in the HELP menu in GageView Pro.

New color palettes for B-Scan

Scan can change from Green to Red on alarm Grayscale gradient and Color gradient available

EPOCH XT B-Scan Instrument Configuration and Parts

Hardware I/O Explanation

EPOCH XTs must be equipped with the Hardware I/O Port to accept the encoder cable used for B-Scans. If you are not sure if your EPOCH XT has this port, look at the top of the instrument and compare to the pictures below. Installation of this port requires that the EPOCH XT be returned to an Olympus NDT Service Center.

OK

NOT OK

Parts Required for B-Scan

EPOCH XT with Hardware I/O Port EPOCH XT B-Scan Software Option PN: EPXT-BSCAN EPOCH XT Encoder Cable PN: EPXT-ENC-CBL-XX

Choose length (10, 25, 50, or 100 feet).

Encoder Car PN: EP4/ENC Transducer Typically a D790-SM Transducer Cable

BNC: BCMD-316-XXB (Choose length to match encoder cable) LEMO: L1CMD-316-XXB (Choose length to match encoder cable)

B-Scan Kits
B-Scan Kits Most customers choose to purchase B-Scan kits that contain the Instrument Software Option, B-Scan Encoder Car, and B-Scan Encoder Cable.

EPXT-BSCAN-KIT-10: (10 foot encoder cable) EPXT-BSCAN-KIT-25: (10 foot encoder cable) EPXT-BSCAN-KIT-50: (10 foot encoder cable) EPXT-BSCAN-KIT-100: (10 foot encoder cable)

The transducer and transducer cable must be purchased separately. GageView Pro must be purchased separately.

B-Scan Encoder & Accessories

Transducer Cable D790-SM

Encoder Cable Input Probe Holder: EP4/PH Water Input

Extension Pole Bracket Option: EP4/EPB Magnetic Wheels Option: EP4/MW (1 Pair)

B-Scan Option Installation

The EPOCH XT must be updated to Operating Software version 1.1.1.1 or higher. If the B-Scan Option is NOT activated in your instrument, go to the INSTR SETUP Menu STATUS Tab as shown below.

Provide Olympus NDT with the last 4 characters of your instruments serial number. Olympus NDT will provide an Option Key number to activate the software option.

EPOCH XT B-Scan Setup & Activation

B-Scan Option Initial Setup

The EPOCH XT must be properly setup and calibrated before the B-Scan option is turned ON.

Pulser / Receiver Settings Calibrate for Zero Offset and Velocity Gate 1 should be setup to cover the minimum and maximum expected thickness values for the inspection.

The screenshots below show a complete setup ready for B-Scan to be turned on.

B-Scan Option Initial Setup

A Minimum Depth Alarm may be used to alert the operator to areas where the part thickness has dropped below a user defined threshold. The Floating Gate option may be used to set the height of the EPOCH XTs gates. This option allows the gates to be set at a level from -1dB to -14dB (1 dB increment) from the height of the gated echo.

Avoid echo drop out when scanning on heavily corroded parts. Maximize measurement consistency by measuring at the same point on the edge of the echo envelope.

B-Scan Option Activation

The B-Scan Option is activated in the MEAS SETUP Menu OPTIONS Tab B-SCAN Sub Tab.

There are 3 Encoder Modes available:

Manual The encoder is not active. B-Scan updates according to a time rate that is set with the PRF control. Uni-Directional Encoder is active. Scan moves forward when encoder moves forward or backward. Bi-Directional Encoder is active. Scan moves in the same direction as encoder.

EPOCH XT B-Scan Bi-Directional Example

Bi-Directional B-Scan Example

Turn the B-Scan Feature ON Choose Encoder Mode = Bi-Directional Encoder Pulses: This is an encoder specification. The Remote Scan encoder that Olympus NDT sells outputs 50 pulses / inch. Take Reading Every: This is the resolution of the B-Scan Start Coordinate: Set to zero or to desired value. Save Ascan Modes:

NOTE: Saving A-Scans during a B-Scan currently limits the scan rate to 60Hz.

No Storage: No A-Scans saved during scan Store on MinDepth: Store A-scans that correspond to the minimum thickness in the scan. Store on Alarm: Store A-scans when the instrument alarm is triggered. Store All: Store all A-Scans during the B-Scan.

Press MEAS to return to Live Screen.

Bi-Directional B-Scan Example B-Scan View

DT = Distance Travelled SR = Scan Rate

Thickness Limits defined by Gate 1 Start and Width

Min Depth Alarm Bb = B-Scan Bi-Directional

Start = Start Scan Change to A-Scan View

Start New Scan (Old Scan is erased) Change to dual A & B Scan View

Bi-Directional B-Scan Example A-Scan View

DT = Distance Travelled SR = Scan Rate

Minimum Depth Alarm Bb = B-Scan Bi-Directional

Stop = Stop Scan Change to B-Scan View Start New Scan (Old Scan is erased) Change to dual A & B Scan View

Bi-Directional B-Scan Example A & B-Scan View

DT = Distance Travelled (only active in encoded scans) Min Depth Alarm SR = Scan Rate (only active in encoded scans)

Thickness Limits defined by Gate 1 Start and Width

Bb = B-Scan Bi-Directional Min Depth Alarm

Stop = Stop Scan

Start New Scan (Old Scan is erased) Change to B-Scan View

Bi-Directional B-Scan Example Review

To review the stored B-Scan you must first stop the scan using the F1 key. As the Review Cursor is moved along the B-Scan the EPOCH XT will display the Distance Travelled (DT) for the point as well as any saved A-Scans.

This view shows the AScan that has been stored at this point in the B-Scan.

Review Cursor Move Left and Right with arrow keys to review B-Scan thickness data.

Min Depth Alarm Triggered

EPOCH XT B-Scan Manual Example

Manual B-Scan Example

Turn the B-Scan Feature ON Choose Encoder Mode = Manual Direction: The EPOCH XT will allow the Manual Scan to run from Left to Right or from Right to Left. Stop on Loss Of Signal (LOS): This will cause the scan to stop if there is no signal in the gate. When a signal reappears the instrument inserts a blank line in the scan. Save Ascan Modes:

NOTE: Saving A-Scans during a B-Scan currently limits the scan rate to 60Hz.

No Storage: No A-Scans saved during scan Store on MinDepth: Store A-scans that correspond to the minimum thickness in the scan. Store on Alarm: Store A-scans when the instrument alarm is triggered. Store All: Store all A-Scans during the BScan.

Press MEAS to return to Live Screen.

Manual B-Scan Example B-Scan View

DT = Distance Travelled (only active in encoded scans) SR = Scan Rate (only active in encoded scans)

Thickness Limits defined by Gate 1 Start and Width

Min Depth Alarm Bm = B-Scan Manual

Start = Start Scan Change to A-Scan View

Start New Scan (Old Scan is erased) Change to dual A & B Scan View

Manual B-Scan Example A-Scan View

DT = Distance Travelled (only active in encoded scans) SR = Scan Rate (only active in encoded scans)

Minimum Depth Alarm Bm = B-Scan Manual

Start = Start Scan Change to B-Scan View

Start New Scan (Old Scan is erased) Change to dual A & B Scan View

Manual B-Scan Example A & B-Scan View

DT = Distance Travelled (only active in encoded scans) SR = Scan Rate (only active in encoded scans)

Bm = B-Scan Manual Thickness Limits defined by Gate 1 Start and Width Min Depth Alarm

Start = Start Scan

Start New Scan (Old Scan is erased) Change B Scan View

Manual B-Scan Example A & B-Scan View

When running a Manual B-Scan the scan rate is controlled with the PRF control. Distance Traveled (DT) and Scan Rate (SR) are not active in Manual Scan mode. You may choose different measurements in Manual Measurement Selection mode.

Review Cursor Move Left and Right with arrow keys to review B-Scan thickness data. Loss of Signal Min Depth Alarm Triggered

EPOCH XT B-Scan Data Logging

EPOCH XT B-Scan Saving Files

B-Scan files may be stored in any file type in the EPOCH XT. The most common are:

CAL Files: Used to store B-Scan setups INCREMENTAL Files: Used for most inspection data storage

When the SAVE key is pressed the operator has two choices:

SAVE SCREEN: This saves a screen shot of the B-Scan along with the instrument setup. This can be recalled as a setup if desired. SAVE FULL: This saves the entire B-Scan along with stored A-Scans and the instrument setup. This can be recalled as a setup if desired.

EPOCH XT B-Scan File Review

When a Full B-Scan has been saved the instrument will display a compressed B-Scan view in the Review Screen. To view the data in its uncompressed format you must do one of the following:

Transfer the file to GageView Pro Recall the file and review using the review cursor.

When a B-Scan screenshot has been saved the instrument will display an uncompressed view of the B-Scan in the Review Screen.