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Quality assurance in aerospace has shifted from hands-on inspections to digital checklists, creating potential lapses in verification, as demonstrated by incidents like the Alaska Airlines door blowout. Despite tracking compliance, digital records do not guarantee that physical checks were performed.

Regulations like the EU's RoHS Directive limit hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products to protect health and the environment. Similar laws exist in countries such as China and Japan, and several U.S. states restrict non-compliant products.

Advanced ultrasonic testing techniques, such as Phased Array (PAUT) and the emerging Full Matrix Capture/Total Focusing Method (FMC/TFM), are transforming weld-quality examinations and are recognized in ASME and AWS codes. A crucial aspect of these methods is a comprehensive Scan Plan for maintaining testing quality and consistency.

The assembly line, introduced by Henry Ford in 1913, connects product quality to component integrity. Many manufacturers now use computed tomography (CT) for pre-assembly inspections.

Nondestructive testing (NDT) and condition monitoring (CM) are crucial for ensuring product quality in manufacturing. Terahertz (THz) technology adds a non-contact method that uses safe far-infrared wavelengths to analyze materials, detect faults, and visualize structures, making it ideal for various insulating materials.

Donald Booth is the CEO and founder of the American Institute of Non-Destructive Testing. He will be giving a presentation at the Quality Show in April titled "The Evolution of NDT Education and Training."

Explore how AI is revolutionizing nondestructive testing (NDT), enhancing inspection accuracy and efficiency in critical industries like aerospace and energy.

Aerospace components, varying in shape, size, and material, require specialized inspection methods to ensure quality and safety due to the diverse manufacturing processes involved. Automated Ultrasonic Testing (UT) systems enhance efficiency and defect detection, but effective scanner control, inspection planning, and results analysis are essential to maximize their benefits.

XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) and LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) are key nondestructive testing methods. XRF identifies elemental composition, while LIBS measures lighter elements like carbon.

The EU's RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products to protect health and the environment, prohibiting materials like lead and cadmium.