Ultrasonic immersion testing method for an industrial part

Abstract

Ultrasonic immersion inspection method for an industrial part. The method comprises a step (S10) for establishing an inspection plan, and a step (S20) for inspection, the inspection plan comprising operations defined by: - ​​an entry surface (12); - a direction of incidence (I); - parameters relating to a transducer (14); - parameters characterizing a trajectory of the transducer (14); the step (S10) comprising the following sub-steps: - (S12) establishment of a draft inspection plan; - (S14) simulation of the implementation of the draft inspection plan, and determination of a volume of the industrial part actually inspected; - if the inspection operations allow inspection of the entire area of ​​interest, the draft inspection plan is implemented in step (S20); - if the inspection operations together do not allow inspection of the entire area of ​​interest, the draft inspection plan is modified.Figure for the abridged version: 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for ultrasonic immersion testing of an industrial part

[0001] The invention relates generally to a method of ultrasonic inspection of an industrial part.

[0002] Industrial metal parts can be inspected by ultrasound to verify that they do not have any defects, in particular cracks on the surface or inside the material.

[0003] These parts sometimes have complex shapes.

[0004] For parts important for safety, for example for parts intended to be integrated into aircraft or aircraft engines, customers require control of up to 100% of the volume of the part outside the specific envelope (blind zone) specified in the customer's drawings.

[0005] This control requires the implementation of a plurality of ultrasonic control operations, so as to leave in extreme cases no volume of the part uncontrolled.

[0006] The process therefore includes a step of establishing an ultrasonic control plan for the industrial part, and a step of ultrasonic control of the industrial part according to the previously established control plan.

[0007] The ultrasonic testing plan is designed by experienced and certified operators, based on feedback from experience, by applying empirical rules. For this, the operators use, for example, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software for 2D drawing, such as AutoCAD software.

[0008] It may happen that, despite the care taken in the design of the ultrasonic control plan, certain volumes of the industrial part are not effectively controlled.

[0009] In this context, the invention aims to provide an ultrasonic inspection method for an industrial part that ensures better coverage of the industrial part during ultrasonic inspection.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a method for ultrasonic inspection of an industrial part, the method comprising a step of establishing an ultrasonic inspection plan for the industrial part, and a step of ultrasonic inspection of the industrial part according to said ultrasonic inspection plan, the ultrasonic inspection plan comprising a set of ultrasonic inspection operations, each ultrasonic inspection operation being defined at least by:

[0011] - an entry surface into the industrial part;

[0012] - a direction of incidence of the ultrasound with respect to the entry surface;

[0013] - parameters relating to a translator generating ultrasound;

[0014] - parameters characterizing a trajectory of the translator on the input surface or a trajectory of the industrial part and therefore of the input surface under the translator;

[0015] the step of establishing the ultrasonic control plan comprising the following sub-steps:

[0016] - establishment of a draft ultrasonic control plan;

[0017] - simulation of the implementation of the ultrasonic control plan project on the industrial part, and determination of a volume of the industrial part effectively controlled by each ultrasonic control operation;

[0018] - if the ultrasonic control operations of the ultrasonic control plan project together allow control of the entirety of an area of ​​interest of the industrial part, the ultrasonic control plan project becomes the ultrasonic control plan implemented at the ultrasonic control stage of the industrial part;

[0019] - if the ultrasonic control operations of the project ultrasonic control plan do not together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part, the ultrasonic control plan project is modified, if necessary iteratively, until the simulation shows that the ultrasonic control operations of the ultrasonic control plan project together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part.

[0020] The simulation substep of implementing the ultrasonic inspection plan on the industrial part allows validation of whether the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part is indeed inspected. This simulation step makes it possible to determine which regions of the area of ​​interest are not adequately covered by the ultrasonic inspection operations, and to modify the ultrasonic inspection plan accordingly.

[0021] This helps to ensure that the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part is well covered by the ultrasonic control plane.

[0022] The control method may also have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0023] - the simulation determines geometry echoes generated by a shape of the part industrial, the volume actually controlled by each ultrasonic control operation being determined according to said echoes;

[0024] - the simulation determines the geometry echoes returned after a number of reflection of ultrasounds between one and four;

[0025] - the draft control plan is established and / or modified in such a way that the management the incidence at each ultrasonic control operation forms an angle less than 30° with the normal to the fiber of the material in the volume actually controlled, preferably less than 25°, even more preferably less than 20°;

[0026] - the industrial part is of revolution around an axis of revolution, the trajectory of the translator on the input surface comprising several revolutions around the axis of revolution, the parameters characterizing the trajectory of the translator on the input surface comprising a circumferential offset around the axis of revolution between two ultrasonic shots of the same revolution and / or a spatial offset between two revolutions;

[0027] - the revolutions are concentric circles and / or turns of a spiral and / or turns of a helix;

[0028] - in which the spatial offset between two revolutions is radial and / or axial;

[0029] - the area of ​​interest corresponds to the entire volume of the industrial part, less one input resolution depth under each input surface and possibly an output resolution depth under surfaces opposite and parallel to the input surface;

[0030] - the ultrasonic control plan establishment step includes the following substeps following:

[0031] * ultrasonic testing of a sample of the industrial part according to said design ultrasonic testing plan;

[0032] * verification of the absence of geometric echoes with an amplitude greater than a threshold predetermined; * in case of detection of an echo with a geometry of amplitude greater than the predetermined threshold, modification of the ultrasound control plan project.

[0033] - the ultrasonic testing step of the industrial part according to said testing plan ultrasonic testing is implemented in an ultrasonic testing tool comprising:

[0034] * the translator configured to emit ultrasound and to detect echoes of ultrasound emitted by the translator;

[0035] * a rotating support on which the industrial part is fixed;

[0036] * a manipulator moving the translator to a given distance from the room industrial; * a computing unit controlling the translator, the rotating support and the manipulator, the computing unit being programmed to implement the ultrasonic control plan;

[0037] - the implementation of the ultrasonic control plan is fully automatic, without operator intervention;

[0038] - each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a depth maximum controllable;

[0039] - each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a type of wave generated by the translator, chosen between longitudinal waves and / or transverse waves and / or a frequency of the ultrasound emitted by the translator;

[0040] - each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a filtering threshold in amplitude for detecting echoes reflected by the industrial part.

[0041] - the ultrasonic control plan project is modified by changing a type wave generated by the translator for at least one of the ultrasonic control operations, and / or change of incidence angle for at least one of the ultrasonic control operations, and / or addition of new ultrasonic control operations.

[0042] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which: - [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a step diagram of the process for controlling the invention; - [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of an industrial part to be inspected. showing in particular the different entry surfaces for ultrasonic testing operations; - [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic representation of the echoes geometry generated during an ultrasonic control operation on a region of the part of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.4] Fig.4 shows the cross-sectional view of the industrial part of the [Fig.2], with superimposition of the results of the simulation step; - [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is an enlarged view of detail V of [Fig. 4], showing an uncontrolled region of the industrial part according to the simulation; and - [Fig. 6] The [Fig. 6] is a simplified schematic representation of a assembly adapted for the implementation of the control process of the [Fig.l];

[0043] The process, the main steps of which are shown in [Fig.1], is intended for the ultrasonic testing, for example by immersion, of an industrial part.

[0044] The inspection is said to be by immersion because the industrial part, during the inspection, is immersed in a tank filled with a liquid. This liquid is typically water.

[0045] In one embodiment, the control is carried out by contact, with the ultrasonic transducer positioned on the surface of the part. In order to ensure the transmission of the waves, a couplant is then used between the transducer and the part, said couplant being chosen for example from water, an aqueous couplant, gel, air, oil or grease.

[0046] In another variant, the control is carried out by local immersion, that is to say with a thin film of water between the translator and the part instead of a column of water used in the case of immersion control.

[0047] The industrial part is typically a metallic part. The part is, for example, made of steel, titanium, or aluminum. Typically, the part is made of an alloy based on Fe, Al, Ti, Ni, or Co.

[0048] Alternatively, the industrial part is a part made of a composite material, for example a metal matrix composite (MMC).

[0049] The industrial part is typically a part of revolution around an axis of revolution X materialized on the [Fig.2].

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a section of the industrial part 10 to be inspected, in a plane containing the axis of revolution X.

[0051] The industrial part is typically intended to be manufactured in series, that is to say in a large number of copies.

[0052] The industrial part is, for example, intended to be integrated into an aircraft or an aircraft engine. Alternatively, it is intended to be integrated into another type of industrial equipment.

[0053] The industrial part 10 which is the subject of the control process is typically a pre-machined part. It is obtained for example by forging a metal ingot.

[0054] In this case, it is intended to be machined by the end customer, so as to form the finished part that will be used by that end customer.

[0055] In [Fig.2], the finished part is represented by a dashed line inside the industrial part 10 which is the subject of the ultrasonic control.

[0056] The process, as illustrated in [Fig.1], includes a step S10 of establishing an ultrasonic control plan of the industrial part 10, and a step S20 of ultrasonic control of the industrial part 10 according to said ultrasonic control plan.

[0057] The ultrasonic control plan includes a set of ultrasonic control operations.

[0058] Each ultrasonic testing operation is defined at least by the following criteria ([Fig.3]):

[0059] - an entry surface 12 in the industrial part 10;

[0060] - a direction of incidence I of the ultrasound with respect to the inlet surface 12;

[0061] - parameters relating to a translator 14 generating ultrasound;

[0062] - parameters characterizing a trajectory of the translator 14 on the input surface 12 or a trajectory of the industrial part and therefore of the input surface 12 under the translator 14.

[0063] Typically, the translator 14 is both the emitter of the ultrasonic beam and the receiver detecting the ultrasonic beam reflected by the part. Alternatively, the emitter and receiver are separate.

[0064] The translator 14 is of the single-element type, or alternatively is of the multi-element type.

[0065] Each input surface 12 is a surface of revolution around the axis of revolution X.

[0066] The different entry surfaces 12 used for the ultrasonic control operations of the industrial part in [Fig.2] are referenced UA to UI.

[0067] Some of the input surfaces 12 are cylindrical, coaxial with the axis of revolution X. This is the case in particular for the surfaces UA, UC, UE and UH in the example shown.

[0068] Some input surfaces 12 are rings centered on the axis of revolution X. This is the case in particular for surfaces UB, UD, UF, UG and UI in the example shown.

[0069] Other surfaces may be frustoconical surfaces coaxial with the axis of revolution X. The example shown does not include such surfaces.

[0070] These surfaces are connected to each other by rounded or angular junctions.

[0071] The trajectory of the translator 14 on the input surface 12 includes several revolutions around the axis of revolution X.

[0072] For ring surfaces, the revolutions are, for example, concentric circles. Alternatively, they are the turns of a spiral.

[0073] For a cylindrical surface, the revolutions are circles offset axially from each other. Alternatively, they are the turns of a helix.

[0074] For a frustoconical surface, the revolutions are circles of increasing or decreasing diameters, axially offset from one another. Alternatively, they are the turns of a helix of increasing or decreasing diameters, inscribed in the frustoconical surface.

[0075] Not all external surfaces of the part are necessarily used as an entry surface 12 for one of the ultrasonic testing operations. On the other hand, the same entry surface 12 can be used several times, for different testing operations carried out under different conditions, so as to provide different information.

[0076] The direction of incidence I of the ultrasound with respect to the inlet surface 12 corresponds to the angle between the normal to the inlet surface and the direction of propagation of the incident ultrasound beam emitted by the transducer 14. The direction of incidence is typically perpendicular to the inlet surface (angle of incidence of 0°). Alternatively, the direction of incidence is inclined with respect to the normal to the inlet surface in the water (angle of incidence of 1.6°, or 2.4°, or 3.6°, or 4.8°, etc.).

[0077] The parameters relating to translator 14 include, for example, one or more of the following parameters:

[0078] - number of transmitter-receiver elements of the translator;

[0079] - geometry of the translator: spherical surface and radius of curvature of the sphere, circular surface and radius of the circular surface, rectangular surface, etc., this geometry defining the focal length of the translator;

[0080] - frequency of the emitted ultrasound (for example 20 MHz, preferably 10 MHz, even preferably 5 MHz);

[0081] - bandwidth: spectrum of frequencies emitted by the translator for which the amplitudes are at least equal to half of the maximum amplitude, that is to say the portion of the spectrum measured at -6dB delimited by the high and low frequencies;

[0082] - water height between the translator and the inlet surface;

[0083] - repetition frequency of the ultrasonic shots, i.e. the inverse of the interval of time separating two ultrasound shots.

[0084] Each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a type of wave generated by the translator, chosen between longitudinal wave and / or transverse wave.

[0085] The parameters characterizing the trajectory of the translator 14 on the input surface 12 include one or more of the following parameters:

[0086] - circumferential shift around the axis of revolution between two ultrasonic shots of the same revolution;

[0087] - spatial offset between two revolutions.

[0088] The spatial offset between two revolutions is radial and / or axial.

[0089] Typically, each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a maximum controllable depth during said operation, dependent on the water height between the transducer and the entry surface, as well as the focal length of the transducer used. During the passage of the transducer 14 over the entry surface 12, the controlled depth can vary between the resolution zone 16 of [Fig. 3] located at the surface 12 and the maximum controllable depth.

[0090] Each ultrasonic testing operation is advantageously also defined by an amplitude filtering threshold for detecting echoes reflected by the industrial part. In other words, echoes with an amplitude below the filtering threshold are considered artifacts and are not considered geometric echoes generated by the shape of the industrial part or indications generated by material defects.

[0091] The control plan aims to control the entirety of an area of ​​interest of the industrial part.

[0092] The area of ​​interest typically corresponds to the entire volume of the industrial part 10, less an input resolution depth 16 below each input surface 12 ([Fig.3]) generated by the reflection of the incident wave on the input surface, and an output resolution depth above the surfaces opposite the input surface, generated by the reflection of the waves on said surfaces.

[0093] Step S10 of establishing the plan for ultrasonic testing according to the invention comprises the following substeps:

[0094] - S12: establishment of a draft ultrasonic control plan;

[0095] - S14: Simulation of the implementation of the ultrasonic control plan project on the industrial part, and determination of a volume of the industrial part effectively controlled by each ultrasonic control operation;

[0096] - S16: Determination of whether the ultrasonic testing operations of the draft plan Ultrasonic control systems together allow for the control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part.

[0097] The draft ultrasonic control plan provides for a first set of ultrasonic control operations, defined by the criteria stated above.

[0098] It is determined based on an analysis of the shape of the inspected industrial part by experienced operators. It takes into account feedback from inspections carried out on similar parts and best practice guidelines.

[0099] The simulation substep S14 is carried out using software dedicated to this type of ultrasonic control operation.

[0100] This software is for example the CIVA software developed by the French Atomic Energy Commission and marketed by the company EXTENDE.

[0101] The simulation takes into account, in particular:

[0102] - the geometry of the industrial part;

[0103] - the material constituting the industrial part;

[0104] - all parameters defined in the ultrasonic control plan project;

[0105] - the ultrasonic field of the translator, in particular the size of the ultrasonic beam emitted by the translator, characterized by the diameter and length of the focal spot

[0106] - the calibration information of the translator enabling control of the part industrial.

[0107] The calibration information is of the TCG (Time Correction Gain) type, i.e. the correction of the Gain as a function of Time (or in other words of depth)).

[0108] They aim to determine the gain value to be applied to the ultrasonic signal to compensate for the attenuation of the ultrasonic wave amplitude as a function of their path length in the industrial part. Conventionally, they are established using a calibration block made of a material similar to that of the industrial part, comprising reflectors at different depths below the block's inlet surface. The reflectors are, for example, flat-bottomed holes. Different gain curves are established using the calibration block, as a function of the polarization of the incident ultrasonic waves (longitudinal or transverse), the frequency of the ultrasonic waves, etc.

[0109] The calibration information is therefore presented in the form of gain curves, which are taken into account in the simulation.

[0110] It should be noted that the design of the inspection plan is established such that the direction of incidence, at each ultrasonic inspection operation, forms an angle of less than 30° with the normal to the fiber structure of the material in the volume actually inspected by each ultrasonic inspection operation. Said angle is preferably less than 25°, and even more preferably less than 20°.

[0111] Fiber alignment refers to the preferential alignment of metallic grains in a metallic material or fibers in a composite material. Defects in the material are generally parallel to the fibers. Therefore, an incidence direction of the ultrasonic beam, preferably slightly inclined with respect to the normal to the fiber alignment, ensures the reflection of the ultrasonic waves from the defect.

[0112] This grain pattern, that is, the orientation of the metallic grains of the material within the part, is determined upstream of the sub-step of establishing the draft ultrasonic inspection plan. This determination is carried out, for example, by analyzing cross-sections of a sample of the industrial part to be inspected. The grain pattern is taken into account when establishing the draft ultrasonic inspection plan.

[0113] The simulation advantageously determines geometry echoes generated by the shape of the industrial part 10. The volume effectively controlled by each ultrasonic control operation is determined as a function of said echoes.

[0114] The simulation determines the geometry echoes returned after a number of ultrasonic reflections between one and four. Typically, the simulation determines the geometry echoes returned after one or two reflections.

[0115] Fig. 3 illustrates the simulation of an ultrasonic control operation from the entry surface UB of the part in Fig. 2, i.e. with the translator traversing UB from its left end to its right end.

[0116] The input resolution depth 16 is illustrated in this figure. This layer, located immediately below the input surface 12, cannot be controlled.

[0117] This view is a B-scan, that is, a cross-sectional view taken through the thickness of the part. [Fig. 3] shows the simulated B-scan superimposed on the shape of the industrial part.

[0118] The geometry echoes 18', 18”, 18” appear in the view of [Fig.3]. The geometry echoes are echoes which, according to the simulation, should be detected by the translator during the ultrasonic testing operation due to the reflection of the ultrasound beam incident on certain surfaces of the part.

[0119] As this figure shows, some echoes are positioned directly on the surfaces that will reflect the incident ultrasound beam. In the example shown, the echoes 18' are positioned on the exterior surfaces of the part, that is to say on the surfaces by which the ultrasonic waves are predominantly reflected by the surfaces opposite and parallel to the input surface.

[0120] The 18" echoes are positioned outside the room. These echoes are generated by the incident ultrasound beam after several reflections.

[0121] The echo 18" is located within the material and results from successive reflections of the incident wave on the beam leading to UH and the beam leading to UC, then its reverse path to the transducer 14. At the positions of the transducer 14 where this echo 18" is generated, the ultrasonic wave cannot insonify the area between the faces UF and UC. Due to its position, the volume V located opposite the echo 18" with respect to the entry surface 12 cannot therefore be checked by the ultrasonic testing operation from the entry surface UJ. This volume V must be checked by means of another ultrasonic testing operation, from another entry surface or by an ultrasonic beam having, for example, an angle, but in all cases respecting the maximum angle of the incident wave with respect to the normal to the fibers of the inspected area.

[0122] Thus, the analysis of the simulation results, in substep S16, makes it possible to determine what volume of the part is actually controlled by each ultrasonic control operation.

[0123] By using the simulation of all the ultrasonic control operations planned in the ultrasonic control plan project, it is possible to determine whether the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part has been controlled.

[0124] Figure 4 is a way of presenting the simulation results. It illustrates, for each input surface of the part in Figure 2, the volumes that are actually controlled. It clearly shows that, in addition to the areas corresponding to the depths of the input and output resolutions, the entire volume of the area of ​​interest of the part could be controlled, with the exception of a very small region 20, illustrated by the zoom in Figure 5.

[0125] The uncontrolled region 20 is located at a rounded angle connecting the inlet surface UC to the inlet surface UF.

[0126] If the ultrasonic control operations of the draft ultrasonic control plan do not together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part, the draft ultrasonic control plan is modified, if necessary iteratively, until the simulation shows that the ultrasonic control operations of the draft ultrasonic control plan together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part.

[0127] The ultrasonic control plan project is typically modified by adding control operations.

[0128] If the ultrasonic control operations of the draft ultrasonic control plan together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part, the draft ultrasonic control plan becomes the ultrasonic control plan implemented at the ultrasonic control stage of the industrial part.

[0129] If the draft control plan does not cover the entire area of ​​interest, the process restarts at substep S12, with the preparation of a new draft ultrasonic control plan. This is a modification of the initial control plan.

[0130] The ultrasonic control plan project is modified for example by changing a type of wave generated by the translator 14 for at least one of the ultrasonic control operations, and / or by changing the angle of incidence for at least one of the ultrasonic control operations, and / or by adding new ultrasonic control operations.

[0131] The draft control plan is typically modified iteratively manually, i.e. by an operator. Alternatively, it is modified automatically.

[0132] Substeps S14 and S16 are performed again. Several iterations of substeps S12, S14 and S16 can be performed successively, until the ultrasonic control plan project is satisfactory, i.e. covers the entire area of ​​interest.

[0133] Advantageously, step S10 of establishing the ultrasonic control plan includes the following additional substeps, occurring after substep S16:

[0134] - S17: Ultrasonic testing of a sample of the industrial part according to said draft ultrasonic testing plan;

[0135] - S18: verification of the absence of geometric echoes with an amplitude greater than one predetermined threshold.

[0136] In the event of detection of an echo with a geometry of amplitude greater than the predetermined threshold, the ultrasonic control plan is modified.

[0137] Substep S17 occurs after substep S16, once the simulation substep has validated that the ultrasonic control plan project allows control of the entire area of ​​interest.

[0138] Substep S17 is carried out on a standard industrial part, therefore having the same dimensions and having been obtained by the same process as the industrial parts to be inspected.

[0139] Ultrasonic testing is carried out in the ultrasonic testing tool 22 shown in [Fig.6].

[0140] This control tool 22 includes:

[0141] - the translator 14, configured to emit ultrasound and to detect echoes of ultrasound emitted by the translator 14;

[0142] - a rotating support 24 on which the industrial part 10 is fixed;

[0143] - a manipulator 26 moving the translator 14 to a given distance from the part industrial 10;

[0144] - a computing unit 28 driving the translator 14, the rotating support 24 and the manipulator 26, the computing unit being programmed to implement the ultrasonic control plan project.

[0145] The industrial part 10 is immersed in a tank 30 filled with a liquid medium 32. Typically, the rotating support 24 is also immersed in the liquid medium. This liquid medium is typically water.

[0146] The industrial part 10 is fixed on the rotating support 24 so that the axis of revolution X coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotating support 24.

[0147] The manipulator 26 is, for example, a manipulator arm.

[0148] The manipulator 26 has a number of degrees of freedom adapted to, in combination with the rotation of the rotating support 24, move the translator 14 on the input surface 12 according to the trajectory planned for each ultrasonic control operation.

[0149] The manipulator 26 maintains the translator 14 at the predetermined distance from the input surface 12 provided for in the ultrasonic control plan design.

[0150] The implementation of the ultrasonic control plan is fully automatic, without operator intervention. Alternatively, certain ultrasonic parameters can be modified by the operator during the control.

[0151] For each ultrasonic inspection operation, the signal reflected by the industrial part is detected by the transducer 14 and recorded. It is analyzed to verify whether it contains an echo with a geometry exceeding the predetermined threshold specified in the draft ultrasonic inspection plan. This threshold is determined, for example, by the specified detectability requirements.

[0152] The detection of an echo with a geometry of amplitude greater than the predetermined threshold means:

[0153] - that the geometry of the industrial part taken into account for the design of the The draft control plan does not exactly match that of the actual room;

[0154] - that the chosen parameterization for one or more of the control operations by Ultrasound is not suitable and needs to be corrected.

[0155] In this case, the ultrasonic control plan is adapted by correcting the geometry of the industrial part taken into account, or the definition parameters for one or more of the ultrasonic control operations.

[0156] Substeps S14, S16, S17 and S18 are performed again.

[0157] If the substep of checking for the absence of amplitude geometry echo greater than a predetermined threshold is positive, that is to say shows that all geometry echoes are below the threshold, at that moment the ultrasonic control plan project is definitively validated.

[0158] The S20 ultrasonic testing step of the industrial part is then implemented. It is carried out according to the validated ultrasonic testing plan. It is implemented using the ultrasonic testing tool 22 described above. The implementation of the ultrasonic testing plan is fully automatic, without operator intervention.

[0159] In this case, the risks of human error are reduced to a minimum.

[0160] Alternatively, the implementation of the ultrasonic inspection plan is not fully automatic, as certain ultrasonic parameters can be modified by the operator during the inspection. The risks of human error remain low but are slightly higher than in the previous case.

Claims

1. Demands Ultrasonic inspection method for an industrial part (10), the method comprising a step (S10) of establishing an ultrasonic inspection plan for the industrial part, and a step (S20) of ultrasonic inspection of the industrial part according to said ultrasonic inspection plan, the ultrasonic inspection plan comprising a set of ultrasonic inspection operations, each ultrasonic inspection operation being defined at least by: - an entry surface (12) into the industrial room; - a direction of incidence (I) of the ultrasound with respect to the entry surface (12); - parameters relating to a translator (14) generating ultrasound; - parameters characterizing a trajectory of the translator (14) on the input surface (12) or a trajectory of the industrial part and therefore of the input surface (12) under the translator (14); Step (S10) of establishing the ultrasonic control plan, comprising the following sub-steps: - (S12) establishment of a draft ultrasonic control plan; - (S 14) simulation of the implementation of the ultrasonic control plan project on the industrial part, and determination of a volume of the industrial part effectively controlled by each ultrasonic control operation; - if the ultrasonic control operations of the draft ultrasonic control plan together allow control of the entirety of an area of ​​interest of the industrial part, the draft ultrasonic control plan becomes the ultrasonic control plan implemented at the ultrasonic control stage of the industrial part; - if the ultrasonic control operations of the ultrasonic control plan project do not together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part, the ultrasonic control plan project is modified, if necessary iteratively, until the simulation shows that the ultrasonic control operations of the ultrasonic control plan project together allow control of the entire area of ​​interest of the industrial part.

2. A control method according to claim 1, wherein the simulation determines geometry echoes generated by a shape of the industrial part, the volume actually controlled by each ultrasonic control operation being determined as a function of said echoes.

3. A control method according to claim 2, wherein the simulation determines the geometry echoes returned after an ultrasonic reflection number of between one and four

4. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the draft control plan is established and / or modified such that the direction of incidence at each ultrasonic control operation forms an angle of less than 30° with the normal to the fiber structure of the material in the volume actually controlled, preferably less than 25°, and even more preferably less than 20°.

5. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the industrial part is of revolution about an axis of revolution, the trajectory of the translator (14) on the input surface (12) comprising several revolutions about the axis of revolution, the parameters characterizing the trajectory of the translator (14) on the input surface (12) comprising a circumferential offset about the axis of revolution between two ultrasonic shots of the same revolution and / or a spatial offset between two revolutions.

6. A control method according to claim 5, wherein the revolutions are concentric circles and / or turns of a spiral and / or turns of a helix.

7. A control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the spatial offset between two revolutions is radial and / or axial.

8. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the area of ​​interest corresponds to the entire volume of the industrial part, less an input resolution depth under each input surface (12) and optionally an output resolution depth under surfaces opposite and parallel to the input surface (12).

9. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the step of establishing the ultrasonic control plan comprises the following substeps: - (S 17) ultrasonic control of a copy of the industrial part according to said draft ultrasonic control plan; - (S 18) verification of the absence of a geometric echo with an amplitude greater than a predetermined threshold; - in the event of detection of a geometric echo with an amplitude greater than said predetermined threshold, modification of the draft ultrasonic control plan.

10. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ultrasonic control step of the industrial part according to said ultrasonic control plan is implemented in an ultrasonic control tool (22) comprising: - the transducer (14) configured to emit ultrasound and to detect the echoes of the ultrasound emitted by the transducer (14); - a rotating support (24) on which the industrial part (10) is fixed; - a manipulator (26) moving the transducer (14) to a given distance from the industrial part (10); - a computing element (28) controlling the transducer (14), the rotating support (24) and the manipulator (26), the computing element (28) being programmed to implement the ultrasonic control plan.

11. A control method according to claim 10, wherein the implementation of the ultrasonic control plan is fully automatic, without operator intervention.

12. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a maximum controllable depth.

13. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by a type of wave generated by the translator (14), chosen from longitudinal waves and / or transverse waves and / or a frequency of the ultrasound emitted by the translator (14).

14. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each ultrasonic control operation is also defined by an amplitude filtering threshold for detecting echoes returned by the industrial part.

15. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the ultrasonic control plan is modified by changing the type of wave generated by the translator for at least one of the ultrasonic control operations, and / or changing the angle of incidence for at least one of the control operations by ultrasound, and / or addition of new ultrasonic control operations.

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