NDT as A Career

NDT as A Career

Non Destructive Testing has become a regular practice in manufacturing since 20^th century and still rapidly growing field as compared to other technologies. Day by day more and more research has been undertaken by NDT engineers to make the method most reliable to fulfil the testing and get the desired results.

In the current industrial environment, many people are not aware of NDT, not even basics even though it plays an important role in manufacturing critical components over a wide range of industries automobile, aircraft, aerospace, pressure vessels, piping, Valve Manufacturing, Petroleum and many more.

Hence there is a need to make spread among the people in the manufacturing industry.

Moreover, NDT is a great field for Learning and growing in today’s rapidly growing industry.

NDT TECHNICIAN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

NDT technicians utilize a variety of technologies to inspect products and materials for internal and external discontinuities.

This is a highly technical role requiring familiarity with one or more methods of NDT and a keen eye for detail, data interpretation, and imaging analysis. Most NDT technicians achieve levels of certification, and some technical schools offer associate’s degrees in NDT technology from various code such as ASNT, PCN etc.

NDT TECHNICIAN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The NDT technician’s responsibilities vary depending on their field and the type of testing technology they utilize, but most are trained in various methodologies.

CALIBRATE AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT

For reliable and precise reading and results, we required to calibrate the equipment to get a reference result. Hence, NDT test methods use standard reference materials for calibration of test equipment.

NDT technicians need to ensure the accuracy of test results and prevent damage to materials by properly calibrating and maintaining their equipment, this means they have to test the equipment before the inspection.

CONDUCTING TEST OF ITEMS

The main responsibility of an NDT technician is to conduct the material test using a wide range of NDT methodologies and technologies.

 The main objective is to identify material discontinuities, such as incomplete welds, corrosion, gaps, cavities or foreign material inclusions, etc.

INTERPRETATION OF  TEST RESULTS

NDT technicians interpret test results to assess materials and decide if the test piece if fit for use.

This can include evaluation of the radiographs obtained from RT test, indications made visible after performing liquid penetrant or magnetic particle testing, echo’s obtained during Ultrasonic testing, etc with respect to the applicable code or standard.

PREPARATION OF REPORTS

One the evaluation and interpretation of test finding has completed these findings NDT technicians develop, update, and issue documentation related to the tests they have performed.

These reports generally outline the procedures used, testing parameters and results of the tests, and any recommendations for manufacturing professionals or engineers. These reports are permanent records stored for future reference.

DEVELOPING PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES

NDT technicians need to understand the customer requirements, product service requirements, inspection and test plan capable enough to examine required parameters to ensure that the part will perform to its desired levels.

NDT technicians are required to understand customer requirements, product requirements and test plan procedures. NDT technicians may develop test procedure, policies, manuals etc

LEVELS OF AN NDT TECHNICIAN

NDT technicians need to get certified at different levels depending on their academic, training, Experience and knowledge requirement providing them a exponential growth in their career.

NDT LEVEL I:

An individual having sufficient technical knowledge and skills to be qualified to properly perform specific calibrations, specific NDT, and specific evaluations for acceptance or rejection determinations according to written instructions and to record results.

 The NDT Level I receives instruction and supervision from a certified NDT Level II or III individual. Hence NDT level l can only perform tests but don’t have the authority to interpret test findings and to sign/issue test reports.

NDT LEVEL II:

A person with sufficient knowledge and skills to set up and calibrate equipment and to interpret and evaluate results with respect to various codes, standards and specifications.

The NDT Level II should be thoroughly familiar with the scope and limitations of the methods for which qualified and should exercise assigned responsibility for on-the-job training and guidance of trainees and NDT Level I personnel. The NDT Level II is authorized to interpret test findings and sign/issue test reports.

NDT LEVEL III

An individual with sufficient knowledge and skills to be capable of developing, qualifying, and approving procedures, establishing and approving techniques, interpreting codes, standards, specifications, and procedures and designating the particular NDT methods, techniques, and procedures to be used.

The NDT Level III is responsible for the NDT operations for which qualified and assigned and should be capable of interpreting and evaluating results in terms of existing codes, standards, and specifications.

NDT Level III is authorized to train and certify  NDT Level I, II, and III Personnel only in methods he/she is certified as NDT Level III and approve the test procedures.

JOB ROLES FOR AN NDT TECHNICIAN

Freelance NDT Technician: Most of the time it is not possible for the manufacturers to train and maintain persons and types of equipment of NDT. Hence they hire subcontract the NDT activities to TPI or a freelance NDT service provider.

NDT ENGINEER IN QA/QC DEPARTMENTS:

Trained and Experienced NDT technicians are often hired by Organizations as NDT engineers so they can get required suggestions regarding the NDT test of products, review, and verification of the NDT tests carried out by NDT subcontractors. Moreover in some articles of CODE Manufacturer are made responsible for the review, interpretation, evaluation, and accept the test results to assure compliance with the requirements of the referencing Code Section.

THIRD-PARTY INSPECTORS:

Third-Party Inspector(TPI)  is the inspection and testing activities by the third party that is an expert in NDT methodologies. TPI can conform to acceptable codes and ITP procedure.

 The Third Party Inspection people provides technical control, testing and inspection, assessment and approval services who must not be involved in the design, procurement, fabrication, construction.

A highly skilled and Experienced NDT technician can become a Third-party Inspector. But only NDT knowledge is not enough to be a Third-party Inspector. One needs to have Sound soft skills, In-depth knowledge of the manufacturing codes, Documentation and Experienced in NDT Test methods. One of the most important criteria is that a TPI must have experience in various industries and exposure to various codes.

NDT is an integral part of the oil and gas and petrochemical industries, along with several other industries some of which are;

• Aerospace & Defense  

• Airframe Structures 

• Biomedical & Medical Devices 

• Building & Construction 

• Civil and Heavy Construction 

• Heavy Equipment 

• Hydro, Solar and Wind Power Generation 

• Infrastructure Development

• Manufacturing 

• Missile & Space 

• Nuclear Energy 

• Oil and Gas, & Chemical 

• Power Generation 

• Primary Metals & Mining 

• Rail & Light Rail 

• Shipping & Maritime

• Turbine & Engine