Visual testing is the most fundamental principle within the non-destructive testing (NDT) area of expertise. The application of such testing is crucial for the inspection of materials including, but not limited to, castings, forgings, machined parts and welds.

The techniques employed through visual inspection are performed by a highly qualified expert within the section.

The successful application of VT, in many cases, does not require any specialised equipment. Instead the technique relies on the knowledge and experience of the operator to inspect the material for flaws, damage, discolourisations, general process inconsistencies and potential mechanical failures due to corrosion or fatigue of part misalignment. 

In some cases, the enhancement of these techniques is a requirement. MM section is equipped with optical instruments including magnifying lenses, mirror faces as well as borescopes and video endoscopes. The last ones allow the inspection of small diameters. Illumination is provided via a fiber optic light guide built into the probe transmitting the light to the probe tip from a source housed in a box situated at the control end of the probe.

VT provides a large reduction in cost and can provide immediate results after inspection, and depending on the equipment, recording videos and images of moderate quality is also possible.

Visual inspection on LINAC 4 RFQ