Sep 7 2015
LMATS is a comprehensive provider of testing services with four operations in Australia spread over Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Kevin Eastwood Senior RT Technician at LMATS pictured with their 300kV Rigaku Radioflex tube head.
One of the areas that they specialise in is Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of metallic and alloy parts for failure investigation and component verification. Amongst their clients are BAE Systems – Australia (Australian Navy and Military) as well as automotive manufacturers such as General Motors
They employ a range of NDT testing technologies to carry out investigations. One of the technologies they rely heavily on is radiographic testing. They use this to evaluate pipes, plates, castings, weld joints and other structural components in steel, aluminium and other alloys.
These types of parts and structures are used in industries such as automotive, power generation and pressure vessels. Some of the components that they test are critical to the operations that they are employed in. Ensuring they pass quality control tests before being installed and premature failure may be detected before it happens are both of the utmost importance.
To perform the bulk of their testing in Melbourne, LMATS use a Rigaku 200kV Radioflex tube head. When asked why they use this system, Kevin Eastwood their senior RT technician explained: “The 200kV system is light and practical for the applications that we need it for, whether they are in our lab or off on the clients’ site. The actual unit we use has been in service since 1994. She’s not the prettiest anymore, but she is extremely reliable. In all the time we have had her, she’s only ever needed one service and is a workhorse that is constantly in use.”
A lot of the work Kevin does is with aluminium structures so he does not need to run the system at full power. Another advantage of the 200kV system is that it only requires a smaller exclusion zone and is easier to contain. This is particularly beneficial when working on site.
When required, the offices swap units depending on the technical requirements of the jobs. Having a fleet of such similar units also makes it easier for the various operators.
Other LMATS offices have higher powered Rigaku Radioflex tube heads (250kV and 300kV). These higher powered units are typically used for testing of pipe welding and welding procedure/qualification testing.
Kevin added: “Our 200kV Radioflex unit is certainly getting old, but it performs day in and day out. I have been in the game for over 11 years and have worked with other Rigaku units in the past and have also found their reliability to be outstanding. One day when this unit is retired, we will certainly look at replacing it with a newer Rigaku system.”
About AXT
AXT represent Rigaku in Australia and New Zealand, distributing their NDT products and naterials analysis instruments including XRD, XRF, XRM and thermal analysis product lines. For more details please visit www.axt.com.au or contact [email protected].