GENERATING TAP TEST IMAGES WITH A FREE-HAND MOTORIZED TAPPER

Previously we have described the Computer Aided Tap Tester (CATT), a simple instrumented probe and software that facilitates the generation of tap test C‐scans in field environments. Early in the CATT development it was noted that inspectors prefer hand tapping at random locations over the part, eventually covering the part to the satisfaction of the inspector. To speed inspections, a regimented method of tapping was incorporated into the CATT via a grid laid over the part. Although the CATT system is quite simple to use, the method of tapping at each grid location in a pre‐determined raster pattern continues to encounter resistance from the inspectors. The preferred free scanning of the inspection area dovetails nicely with the GenScan system previously reported on, where the operator scans over the inspection area freely, starting with larger pixels, and refines the geometry of flaw indications with finer pixels. As part of an Air Force project, we are merging the CATT instrumented tap data with positio...