GE Inspection Technologies Forms Training Partnerships In UK

Billerica, MA, USA – April 20, 2007 – GE Inspection Technologies Training Group has formed partnerships with two of the UK’s major NDT training organisations to offer expert and informed instruction in the operation and application of the Phasor XS, GE’s latest portable, easy-to-use, phased array flaw detector. By adding The South West School of NDT, in Cardiff, and Argyll-Ruane, in Rotherham, GE’s growing training organisation now has a capability covering the whole of the UK. The new GE partners have extensive inspection expertise throughout industry, from aerospace, oil and gas and automotive to the power and general engineering sectors.

The focused training course available from the new partnership is the same course that has proven very successful in GE training academies and training partnerships worldwide. It provides an introduction to the basic principles of phased array and defect imaging, explaining the differences between phased array and conventional ultrasonic inspection, before offering a detailed explanation of the features, benefits, operation and areas of application of the Phasor XS. Finally, there is a series of hands-on practical exercises, including performing sector and linear scans, checking channels and wedges, weld and composite inspection using Phasor XS, storing data set files and generating reports.

The course is designed to minimise student working downtime while providing the maximum benefits to the attendees in a cost effective manner and, including animated step-by-step guides, it is contained in 3 working days. Successful students will receive a certificate of completion. Although it is designed for PCN Level 2 Ultrasonic qualified operators, however managers and technicians seeking a better understanding of the principles of phased arrays, who have taken the course at other GE academies and training partnerships, have found it exceptionally beneficial, particularly those involved in the process of procuring Phased Array equipment.

Training courses offered by the new training partnerships currently concentrate on basic phased array and Phasor XS training but further courses will soon be delivered covering all aspects of NDT. These will bring the GE expertise in ultrasonics, eddy current, conventional and digital radiography, and remote visual inspection, to traditional training courses. They will also supplement the thickness courses and other advanced training currently being offered on-line by GE Inspection Technologies Training.