NDT News

25
Jan
NDT Training in the Digital Age

NDT Training in the Digital Age Everyone is connected today. They are connected to a mobile device of some sort; whether that be a phone, tablet or laptop, everyone is mobile. There is now an expectation that every business and every service or offering should also be offered online. It is globalization and capitalism at their finest hour! So in this era, where social media is the new source for all things news and is the yellow pages for finding businesses, where does training, in particular NDT training stand up? Of course there is now the influx of online NDT training, but before we get there let’s start with how traditional, classroom training is beginning to face this need of digital and connectivity. For example, Hellier NDT training, just realized the value in not just new technology but a new physical space. They recently made the move into a brand new, state-of-the-art, complex so that they could improve their training services to their customers. Codewest, that does API training, also relocated into this space so that they too could offer an enhanced learning space. This new space offers state of the art digital projectors, computers, and has a student lounge with free Wi-Fi (another necessity for any organization), that allows for a calm studying environment. One of the other new offerings from Hellier NDT is the idea of blended learning, in conjunction withWorldSpec NDT training. WorldSpec offers online theory training for NDT, and with the help of Hellier NDT, students can now take online theory and come in to a Hellier location to 1 or 2 day practical tutorials or workshops. The benefits of this are that the student is only missing 1 or 2 days of work, as opposed to 5. They can also, study on their own time so they are not condensing the learning into a very tight time frame. Additionally, it allows for a reduced training cost (as low as $1100). WorldSpec is also the ONLY online NDT training company that is currently compliant with both ASNT and CGSB (Canada) theory training standards. Although it seems obvious that the ASNT and CGSB systems should nearly similar, there are actually some substantial differences between the two NDT training and certification programs. The Canadian system requires that 2 day practical workshops accompany ALL online training offerings; this is in an effort to ensure that the students get proper training with the actual equipment prior to learning or handling the equipment in a workplace. Another benefit to online training is that the student doesn’t have to fly from their remote location (typically on a pipeline or offshore) to one of a handful of training centers across the country and pay for airfare, hotel, food, etc. for a week of training. The convenience of the student’s being able to take theory training right from their phones or tablets allows them to train whenever they have down time, and acts as a refresher for what they’re doing in the field. It is always with them! No matter how resistant to digital training you may be, the reality is that it’s the present situation of our world. The immediacy and convenience of it is an expectation and requirement of the current and next generations of technicians. It’s time to consider alternative options for your NDT training!

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30
Aug
A New Approach to Learning NDT

A New Approach to Learning NDT Colleges, universities and trade schools alike are all beginning to introduce a new type of training: blended learning. This new training concept allows students to take the theory portion of their training online, and then combine that with some amount of in-class hands-on, practical training. The NDT industry is really no different! There are online schools that offer the theoretical (textbook) portion of the learning, and then require the student to take several days of hands-on practical training either at an NDT training school or in-house at their company. Online training is just the first step Online training provides a great start to NDT training, but a student should not and cannot get the full training needed without physically being familiar with the equipment. Online training fulfills the necessary minimum theory training specifications, and is a great first step towards NDT certification. So how does one get the hands-on training required as well? Blended learning is the answer. Why blended training works This process is ideal for most NDT training situations: a) It allows for the students to take the theory online and then take the practical at their convenience b) The student only misses 2 days of work rather than 5 c) 2 days of intense practical allow the instructors to focus all their training on the equipment rather than needing to incorporate theory (it is assumed the student should know the theory) d) The cost is much lower because the instructor only needs to be available for 2 days instead of 5 e) Employers only lose their employees for 2 days at a time instead of 5, thus reducing the amount of in-class requirements by 60%! Blended Learning, as it pertains to NDT is becoming more and more prevalent because of the cost saving measures and also because most of the technicians in the industry work in either remote locations or at times that are not conducive to classroom learning. Added to that, there are only a few NDT training schools (in most cases less than one per state/province) and the convenience of being able to learn the theory when it is most convenient for the student is ideal. There are now several institutions that are offering online NDT training and this proves not only the demand, but also the validity of the service.

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22
Aug
NDT Training, The Benefits in Today's Economy

NDT TRAINING – THE BENEFITS IN TODAY’S ECONOMY What is NDT? NDT stands for Non-destructive Technology. Non-destructive refers to a type of inspection or testing that does not damage the product being inspected. NDT is used in a wide range of industrial activity, with new NDT methods and applications being continuously developed. NDT methods are routinely applied in industries where the failure of a component would cause significant hazard or economic loss, such as in transportation, pressure vessels, building structures, piping, and hoisting equipment. Because NDT does not permanently alter the article being inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. In most cases, NDT does not require the product to be opened or taken out of service (as most NDT methods are portable). This is particularly useful in industries such as oil and gas and aerospace. NDT provides an additional level of insurance and safety to all metal products that are created. There are specific standards that steel needs to maintain, and these standards are particularly important in high liability industries such as aerospace. NDT ensures that these minimum specifications are maintained. Why choose to be an NDT technician? To become an NDT technician is a very important career choice! An NDT technician helps to protect people and industries from defects and potentially negligent or dangerous products. NDT plays a crucial role in everyday life and is necessary to assure safety and reliability. Typical examples are found in aircraft, spacecraft (shuttle), motor vehicles, pipelines, bridges, trains, power stations, refineries, buildings and oil platforms which are all inspected using NDT. How to become a technician NDT Training is a very important tool for any person interested in the NDT world. NDT training is provided in several parts. 1. Generally, for the new initiate, there is a 40 hour (one week) course that must be taken (either in class or online). 2. Once that is acquired, the student must get on-the-job or “practical” training. This means that once an employer hires you on, you need to work as an “apprentice” of sorts, for a few hundred hours to gain competency with the equipment. 3. Once you’ve acquired both of these, you can apply for certification within your country or region. 4. There are two options for certification: 1) National Certifications (ASNT, CGSB, PCN, etc.) or 2) Company Certification (SNT-TC-1A). The company certification allows you to be certified in-house by a Level III within your company if it is displayed in your company’s written practice and procedure documents. However, the disadvantage is that if you leave the company, the certification may not go with you. Also, certain clients require the National Certification as it is often a more standardized process that generally has more rigorous requirements.

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19
Aug
What is NDT? -- Edward Fisher

What is NDT? NDT (Non Destructive Testing) in the traditional sense means you will be doing an inspection without physically harming the item you are inspecting. The traditional methods of NDT are Visual, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant, Ultrasonic, Radiography, Eddie Current or maybe a combination of either one two or three of these disciplines. NDT is a critical component in the construction/manufacturing industries as component failures can be costly. NDT relates almost any industry and as a qualified NDT Inspector you will be helping to ensure that things that are put into service or sold will perform the way they are designed to. Anyone that has an interest in how things are made and an interest in quality then NDT may be for you. Everything that is made today has some form of quality control depending on the type of material or process you are looking at or working in but it is all NDT. Training needs to consist of a combination knowledge which normally comes from books and then working with a knowledgeable professional that can help you understand the material you are reading along with hands on equipment training and a good mentor. Any profession that you may decide to go into needs a combination of study and hands on training before you can become competent. When we read technical material sometimes the material is easier to understand if you have the equipment to practice what you have just read. The ability to talk to an experienced inspector, an instructor or a tutor are critical components to successful training and transition to writing and obtaining your certification and then while working with your mentor you can truly start to learn how to be a good NDT Inspector. Edward Fisher

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09
Jan
Mentioned in Quality Magazine

We are mentioned in this amazing article from Quality Magazine! http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/91435-the-nondestructive-testing-ndt-training-industry

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28
Aug
ASNT FALL CONFERENCE

The 2012 ASNT Fall Conference is back. It's being held in Orlando, FL this year! It is the biggest tradeshow of the year and in the world for those people in the NDT industry. A very exciting time. Additionally WorldSpec.org, in partnership with PQT.net will be sponsoring an inaugural event this year! If you're interested in attending shoot us an email at info@worldspec.org!

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