Semi portable equipment was developed by NDT Technologies Inc. to inspect ultrasonically hollow rail wheel axles as required by AAR S-659 standard.

Semi-automated ultrasonic inspection is applied in rail-cars maintenance shop to examine hollow axles.

Axle and caps must be removed prior to inspection. Internal probe is aligned with axle center line secured in position, and inserted inside. Precision rack and pinion manual drive equipped with high-resolution encoder provides probe position synchronization signal to computer. Ultrasonic inspection using the internal probe method allows for examination of axles with mounted brakes and transmission boxes in place.