Software

Software has become an elementary part of the development of test systems in industrial contexts. Users define the features they need and expect an intuitive user interface. Software has to be innovative and available at short notice, for future modifications and extensions.

With the PCUS^® pro Lab Fraunhofer IKTS has developed a software suite that makes it easy to perform and visualize automated and semi-automated ultrasonic inspections with conventional or phased array transducers suited for the PCUS^® pro device family. In this context, the standards of the PCUS^® pro Lab software suite are always defined by the expectations of its users. At the center of attention are subjects such as modern manufacturing (Industry 4.0) and the ever-growing demands regarding integration, efficiency and cross-linking between components used within the industrial field of ultrasonic testing.

PCUS^® pro Lab is a modular software suite for non-destructive testing. Automated, semi-automated and manual solutions which are adapted to the requirements of the specific testing task are being provided flexibly and quickly. The software development focuses on usability and user acceptance in order to implement complex testing scenarios in accordance with relevant standards. This goal is supported by clearly defined interfaces and modules to integrate the customer’s existing automation concepts. Through the use of these methods PCUS^® pro Lab guarantees the best possible combination with existing industrial production lines and technologies.

The software assists in the creation of parameterizations for actuator and transducer control, visualization and analysis. The data is organized and managed flexibly within the adaptable revision system.

The methods of agile software development guarantee a transparent development process in close collaboration with the customer. Wishes and requirements are implemented fast and safely, to guarantee the highest degree of quality and safety. The user interfaces and process controls can be adjusted individually to best fit user´s demand.

Features
 

• 64-bit application
• Runs on all popular Windows systems
• Touch-enabled
• Intuitive use thanks to a modern, accessible and easily adaptable user interface
• Industry 4.0 – fully cross-linked integration into existing manufacturing concepts
• Easy transition from lab to industry environment through uniform software for all fields of application
• Combination of any devices and methods in one test for the highest possible efficiency
• Extensively configurable representations of typical volume images (B, C, D, S, L, TD etc.)
• Professional implementation of customer-specific require­ments through a modular concept in the area of parameter­ization, test sequence and analysis (e.g. fully adaptable user interface for testing processes)
• Representation of complex testing requirements using any geometries
• Real-time representation of the volume images during data acquisition
• Assistance during commission through the use of flexible calibrating modes
• Storage of measured data as raw data with optional loss-free compression or as reduced image data
• Integrated logging and archiving of inspections
• Fast integration of external modules for the control of the most varied actuators and sensors
• Acquisition and management of very large quantities of inspection data
• Retroactive adaptation of parameters for all values indepen­dent of recording (visualization, gates etc.)
• Individual error logs and reporting as required by the cus­tomer
• Numerous options for easy rights management via Windows User Access Control
• Uniform software development kit (SDK) for the whole PCUS^® pro device family for the integration of the PCUS^® pro hardware into the customer’s own software

Modular design

• Free combination of the required functions
• Integration of the clustomer’s own modules into the user interface
• Easy linking of features to user profiles
• Extensive master data base for sensors, materials, test methods, layouts etc.
• Management system for the comfortable management of test results and data

Parameterization/adjustment

• Modular, library-oriented parameterization for quick, easy extension, modification and subsequent use
• Up to four freely configurable coordinate axes
• Simulation of all axes to co-ordinate the actuators with the test sequence
• Adjustment of all transducer and material parameters
• Unlimited number of focal laws
• Comprehensive standard libraries
• xml export for customer-specific layout
• User-friendly plausibility check of data input for parameter­ization as well as automatic support via tool tips

Testing

• Quick integration into automated production processes
• Free combination of any number of devices in one inspection
• USB 3.0 with up to 300 MB/s transfer speed
• Tests triggered by coordinates, time or externally
• Live representation of volume images during testing

Analysis

• Any projection plane of the test specimen can be selected
• Simultaneous display of several inspection groups
• Parallel display of different tests and files
• Automatic or manual detection and application of transfer correction
• Measurement in metric and imperial units
• Zoom function in all planes
• Intelligent algorithms, such as hiding fault indications, searching maximum values, determining surface areas or
• dynamic cutting of test data along the object geometry
• Individually adaptable layouts and representation of measurements
• Retroactive setting of offline gates
• Versatile reporting and logging
• Export of reports to xml files to suit the customer’s own layout
• Numerous measuring tools for all volume images
• Comprehensive and easy-to-adapt color tables
• Freely adaptable offline visualization (B, C, D, S, L, TD etc.)
• Export of raw data into common text-based formats
• Unlimited inspection data volume (limited only by storage space)
• Comfortable use of parametrizations across systems and users