Volume 3, Number 3

July 2004

 

 

Working Smarter Fixture for Processing Small Parts

When performing fluorescent magnetic particle tests, small parts are sometimes difficult to handle. The ability to process multiple parts at once would greatly increase productivity. For small hollow, cylindrical parts requiring longitudinal magnetization, I have created a copper finger fixture. Instead of placing one part on the coil (Fig. 1), four parts can be placed on the fixture at once. The fixture is then located near the edge of the coil (Fig. 2) and the coil is energized. This provides an adequate magnetic field verifiable with quantitative quality indicator (QQI) shims. Inspection of the parts under UV-A light is also made easier. To rotate the parts, simply rotate the fixture — no fingerprints or excess background fluorescence. The four finger copper fixture is made of 9/16 in. copper pipe and 1/8 in. copper rod. The copper rod is shaped and spaced accordingly and then brazed to the pipe (Fig. 3).

Figure 1. Processing small parts individually is time-consuming and cost ineffective.

Figure 2. Multiple small parts on fixture placed near edge of coil.

Figure 3. Fixture for processing small parts formed of copper pipe and rod.

 

Gregory P. Robinson
Eaton Aerospace
ASNT NDT Level III
North Charleston, SC
gregoryprobinson@eaton.com

 

[ The NDT Technician ]

 

 

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