Robotic Ultrasound Diagnostic System for Non-Destructive Testing in Highly Variable Production

This paper aims to describe a method of non-destructive testing in highly variable production using a robotic ultrasound diagnostic system. Highly variable production involves producing products of different shapes and dimensions, which requires flexible positioning and the adaptation of diagnostic technology. Typically, highly variable products are made in small batches. Implementing automation tools, including robotic systems, can meet this requirement, even in diagnostic processes that demonstrate the required quality level. This paper deals with the design, simulation, optimization, and verification of an innovative robotic ultrasound diagnostic system for non-destructive testing in highly variable production environments. The robotic positioning of the diagnosed object and the ultrasound probe achieves the automatic adaptation of the system. Robots can automatically position the ultrasound probe relative to the diagnosed object using laser distance measurements in the water environment of a diagnostic vessel. Computer processing of the data measured by the ultrasound probe enables the evaluation of data and the documentation of quality criterion fulfillment in digital form. Setting the technology parameters, monitoring the technology status, and displaying the quality control results are enabled by a human–machine interface system also described in this paper.