An altemative approach is the introduction of automated ultrasonic testing (AUST) for products made on the existing
production equipment. This approach makes it possible to radically improve quality at significantly lower costs and to erect an
effective barrier against defective products. The introduction of AUSTs makes it possible to completely eliminate the subjective
factor in deciding on the soundness of a given product.
In order to substantiate the introduction of a "Volna-6" automated ultrasonic testing system at the Severstal' plant this year to inspect rolled rounds, studies were performed to evaluate the efficiency and reliability of AUST compared to manual testing.
A batch of metal was given a fairly thorough visual inspection. Then the sound metal and the metal that was rejected
underwent ultrasonic testing on the existing automated unit "Volna-2."
The automated unit determined that 40% of the metal that was manually evaluated as being acceptable was actually defective, while 72% of the metal that had been rejected in the visual examination was not defective.