Bellows Systems is committed to better serving its customers by continuously enhancing its capabilities in their core competencies. Specifically, to serve its aerospace customers, Bellows Systems has NADCAP special process certification for welding. AWS D17.1 and D17.2 are critical specifications for aerospace welding, requiring stringent inspection methods to ensure weld integrity. Radiographic Testing (RT) is one of the primary methods mandated for verifying internal weld quality in these standards. Traditionally, this meant film-based radiography, which is time-consuming and less efficient.

By adopting state-of-the-art digital radiography technology from DÜRR NDT and Lake X-Ray of Michigan, Bellows Systems meets and exceeds these requirements while delivering additional benefits. For example, compliance assurance, as the DR process aligns with AWS D17.1 and D17.2 for weld inspection, ensuring full adherence to aerospace quality standards. The DRC 2430 digital detector from DÜRR NDT and the D-Tect X software ensure improved accuracy by providing superior image resolution, enabling precise evaluation of weld discontinuities as required by AWS specifications. Real-time imaging accelerates inspection and reporting, reducing turnaround for critical aerospace components to achieve faster certification.

“At Bellows Systems, we believe that investing in advanced technologies is essential to delivering the highest quality products to our clients,” said Alpha Mahatvaraj, CEO of Bellows Systems. “Our new digital radiography capability reinforces that commitment.”

Bellows Systems is a leading manufacturer of metal bellows, expansion joints and assemblies for critical applications in energy, aerospace, and industrial sectors. With a strong focus on quality and innovation, Bellows Systems is continuously expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of their customers. Bellows Systems specializes in providing custom engineered solutions and offers integrated systems and assemblies to help clients meet their specific needs. Their focus is on delivering high-quality products and providing best-in-class customer service.

Bellows Systems works with top tier organizations in the space and aerospace industry including SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, Boeing, Honeywell, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Northrup Grumman.

Organize and manage your data in a way that suits you best. Create organizations, add users, and dictate which users are allowed to upload, view, edit or delete images. instaNDT supports organizing data with either the familiar files and folders structure or with the traditional PACS hierarchical view. Browse your images, use the search function, view the metadata, or use the image viewer with the histogram tool to optimize viewing.

instaNDT stores all image data in a centralized server, which can be accessed at any time and anywhere. Share images to users without an account via a temporary access link. In addition to storing DICONDE data from RT, UT, ET, MT, and VT inspections, other file types such as documents and photos can also be stored and shared.

Unlike a traditional PACS, instaNDT supports image versioning, recording all changes non-destructively. This makes it easy for you to make annotations and changes without losing any evaluation history. It’s easy to make collobarative edits – instaNDT always keeps a record of what changes were made by which user for easy auditing.

Out of the box, instaNDT is integrated with DÜRR NDT’s X-ray imaging software D-Tect X, guaranteeing a smooth and efficient inspection workflow. Additional integrations can be added via a flexible API with token-based authentication support for custom integrations to your workflows.

instaNDT supports flexible deployment options with an on-premise, bring your own cloud, and Software as a Service (SaaS) offering; your data lives only where you want it. instaNDT is DICOMweb compliant, and uses a standardized DICONDE file format for software-independent exchange of data.

Register now at instandt.com and receive 500 MB of storage space for free.

NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) has been dominating low Earth orbit for more than 25 years, housing groups of astronauts in the microgravity environment. The orbital lab’s time in space, however, will soon come to an end, and NASA is looking for a replacement.

The california-based company Vast Space recently unveiled its plans to take over the coveted spot left behind by the ISS, revealing the design of its Haven-2 space station. The company is set on proposing its private space station for the second phase of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program (CLD), with plans to launch the first module of Haven-2 in 2028, according to Vast.

Vast has been working on Haven-1, which it plans on launching in 2026. The company claims its single-module Haven-1 will be the world’s first commercial space station, capable of hosting short-duration missions for up to four astronauts at a time. But even before its first space station launches, Vast is eyeing that NASA contract to build another one as a commercial successor to the ISS.

Dan Guerrero at Willick Engineering a Pinnacle Company, collaborated closely with John Stewart, founder of AATA, to implement the use of Dürr NDT’s D-DR 1025B NDT and D-DR 1043B NDT flexible panels. Vast is also using the 19-micron DR 7 NDT panel for very high resolution applications.

John is also the Radiation Safety Officer, Responsible Level 3 at VAST. John recently commented that “The Dürr system and software are easy to use. Currently we utilize multiple bendable panels and the 19-micron DR 7 high resolution detector. The systems are easily interchangeable and user friendly…”.

Vast is using the D-DR 1025B NDT and the D-DR 1043B NDT along with D-Tect X software to inspect welds on the exterior of their Haven Space Station components.

This is made possible by the glass-free TFT sensor, which represents the most important advancement. Due to its active area of 351 x 427 mm, it is perfectly suited for profile images in CUI inspections and for large objects.

The new detector is also much more compact and thinner, which simplifies handling and positioning in the field. Designed for portability and the harsh conditions of industrial radiography, the detector easily passed the 1 m drop test. With a pixel pitch of 99 µm, a basic spatial resolution (SRb) of 100 µm is achieved, making the detector suitable for inspection tasks according to the highest standards.

Thanks to the integrated shielding, the detector is suitable for X-ray sources up to 450 kV and for gamma sources, with a maximum frame time of 180 seconds. The D-DR 3643 NDT is available with different scintillator options to achieve the best possible contrast and resolution for the intended application.

General advantages of the D-DR series are long battery runtime, hot-swap function and IP 67 protection class. In addition to wireless operation, the detector can also be operated by wired data transmission and power supply.

Like all digital X-ray systems from DÜRR NDT, the D-DR 3643 NDT is also operated with the proven D-Tect X inspection software. Special and easy-to-use functions such as multi-gain calibration always ensure the highest possible image quality. Powerful and intelligent tools, such as the X-filter for fast image optimization, make image evaluation simple and much more efficient.

Both detectors can be bent continuously from flat to a 150 mm respectively 300 mm diameter in one direction, with exposures possible on both sides. A simple mounting system allows the detectors to be easily attached to a pipe with 2 straps and then rotated along the weld seam.

With a pixel pitch of 99 µm, a basic spatial resolution (SRb) of 100 µm is achieved, making them perfectly suited for weld inspection in accordance with DIN EN ISO 17636-2 (Class B). Due to the bendability, typical applications are pipeline, tank and vessel inspections, but also weld seam inspections on straight objects are possible, as the detector can also be used in a flat position.

Thanks to the integrated shielding, the detectors are suitable for X-ray sources up to 450 kV, with a maximum frame time of 180 seconds. As they are dust-tight and waterproof (IP67), battery-powered and have wireless data transmission, they are well prepared for tough applications in the field.

Bendable detectors can replace conventional X-ray films in a wide range of industries, from oil and gas to power generation, chemicals and aviation, and optimize inspections through fast image acquisition and software-assisted analysis.

Like all digital X-ray systems from DÜRR NDT, the bendable detectors are also operated with our proven D-Tect X inspection software. Special and easy-to-use functions such as multi-gain calibration always ensure the highest possible image quality. Powerful and intelligent tools, such as the X-filter for fast image optimization, make image evaluation simple and efficient.

Der DRC 1024 NDT Flachdetektor wurde von Grund auf für die industrielle Anwendung entwickelt, anders als quadratische Detektoren, die oftmals aus der Medizin stammen. Ein Nachteil quadratischer Detektoren ist häufig, dass nicht einmal die Hälfte der aktiven Fläche mit dem Prüfobjekt bedeckt ist. Die unbedeckte Fläche verbleibt während der gesamten Strahlzeit ungeschützt im Strahlengang, dies führt zu Überbelichtung und reduzierter Lebenserwartung der aktiven Fläche. Um dem entgegen zu wirken, muss die freiliegende Fläche mit Stahl- oder Bleiplatten abgedeckt werden. Durch das spezielle Format des DRC 1024 NDT entfällt dieser Aufwand in den meisten Fällen.

Für mobile Anwendungen bietet der DRC 1024 NDT Datenübertragung per WLAN und die Möglichkeit das Gerät im Akkubetrieb zu verwenden. Der Tragegriff sorgt für eine sichere Handhabung und ist abnehmbar, so kann der Detektor auch in schwer zugänglichen Bereichen platziert werden, z.B. innerhalb eines Rohres. Metrische Gewindebohrungen im robusten Aluminiumgehäuse ermöglichen die Befestigung an jedem erdenklichen Haltesystem, wie einem Stativ oder einem Manipulator in einer Kabine.

Der DRC 1024 NDT Flachdetektor ist für Röntgen- als auch Gammaquellen geeignet und steht in zwei Szintillator-Varianten zur Verfügung. Je nach durchstrahlter Wanddicke oder zu detektierender Fehlergröße, kann zwischen Plus- (Auflösung 130 µm) oder Ultra-Fine-Szintillator (Auflösung 80 µm) gewählt werden. Die zugehörige Röntgeninspektionssoftware D-Tect X gewährleitet einen einfachen Betrieb und unterstützt den Anwender bei der Bildauswertung mit leistungsstarken Werkzeugen bei jedweder Prüfaufgabe.

The DRC 1024 NDT flat panel detector was designed from the ground up for industrial use, unlike square detectors which often originate from the medical field. A major disadvantage of square detectors is that typically less than a half of the active area is covered by the test object while the rest of the surface remains unprotected in the X-ray beam path during the entire exposure time. This results in overexposure and reduced detector life expectancy. To counter this, the uncovered surface usually requires shielding with steel or lead plates. The special design of the DRC 1024 NDT eliminates this complexity.

For mobile applications, the DRC 1024 NDT offers wireless data transmission as well as the possibility to use the device in battery mode. The carry handle ensures secure handling, but is also detachable to allow the detector to be inserted into hard-to-reach areas such as inside a pipe. Metric threaded holes in the rugged aluminum housing enable the panel to be mounted to any conceivable support system, such as a tripod or a manipulator in a cabinet.

The DRC 1024 NDT flat panel detector is suitable for both X-ray and gamma sources and is available in two scintillator options which should be chosen based on the penetrated wall thickness and the defect size to be detected. Available scintillator resolutions are Plus (SRb=130 µm) and Ultra-Fine (SRb=80 µm). DÜRR NDT’s D-Tect X X-ray inspection software ensures easy operation and supports the user in image evaluation with powerful tools for any inspection task.

With support for graphics and multi-core processors, D-Tect X is extremely fast, stable and easily copes with large volumes of image data. The software remains responsive at all times and also enables parallel working such as image evaluation while acquiring image data from a device. The intuitive user-interface can be fully customized to the user’s preferences and supports working with multiple monitors and touchscreens.

Image acquisition is fast and intuitive. Preset parameters for imaging devices and user-friendly configuration tools, e.g. flat panel detector calibration, allow easy operation. In addition to DÜRR NDT devices such as imaging plate scanners and flat panel detectors, third-party devices such as film digitizers and X-ray sources are also supported.

D-Tect X of course offers a variety of powerful tools that support the user in image analysis and evaluation according to standards such as ASME, ASTM and ISO. The software also introduces X-Filter: with just one click this new intelligent image optimization filter can highlight all decisive details for quick analysis and evaluation. Another handy feature is image history: every operation applied to an image since it was captured or imported is recorded and changes can be individually enabled and disabled. This also allows full traceability of all changes to any image.

Images and their metadata are saved in DICONDE format by default. This ensures that all images can be displayed and processed by any other system that supports the DICONDE standard.

Test reports are generated via the DRIVE NDT interface, so an individual and comprehensive test report can be created from the order and test data in just a few steps. By integration in a network or connection to a cloud, collaborative processes can also be realized.

With D-Tect X’s wide range of functions, modern architecture and constant development, you are also perfectly equipped for any future challenges.

Durch die Unterstützung von Grafik- und Mehrkernprozessoren ist D-Tect X extrem schnell und stabil – selbst enorm große Bilddaten sind keine Herausforderung. So bleibt die Software jederzeit ansprechbar und ermöglicht auch paralleles Arbeiten wie z.B. Bildauswertung bei gleichzeitiger Erfassung von Bilddaten. Die flexible und intuitive Benutzeroberfläche kann vollständig an die Vorlieben des Benutzers angepasst werden und unterstützt das Arbeiten mit mehreren Monitoren sowie Touchscreens.

Die Bilderfassung gelingt schnell und intuitiv, voreingestellte Parameter für Bildgebungsgeräte sowie benutzerfreundliche Konfigurationstools, z.B. die Kalibrierung von Flachdetektoren, erlauben einen einfachen Betrieb. Neben Geräten von DÜRR NDT, wie Speicherfolienscannern und Flachdetektoren, werden auch Fremdgeräte wie Filmdigitalisierer und Röntgenquellen unterstützt.

Selbstverständlich bietet D-Tect X eine Vielzahl von leistungsstarken Werkzeugen die den Anwender bei der Bildanalyse und -bewertung nach Normen wie ASME, ISO und Nadcap unterstützt. Besonders nennenswert ist der X-Filter; mit nur einem Klick kann dieser neue intelligente Bildoptimierungssfilter alle entscheidenden Details für eine schnelle Analyse und Auswertung hervorheben. Ein weiteres praktisches Werkzeug ist die Bildhistorie, jede Operation die auf ein Bild seit der Erfassung oder dem Import angewendet wurde wird aufgezeichnet und kann einzeln aktiviert sowie deaktiviert werden. Dies ermöglicht auch eine vollständige Rückverfolgbarkeit sämtlicher Änderungen am Bild.

Bilder und deren Metadaten werden standardmäßig im DICONDE-Format gespeichert. So wird sichergestellt, dass sämtliche Bilder von jedem anderen System angezeigt und verarbeitet werden können, welches den DICONDE-Standard unterstützt.

Die Erstellung von Prüfberichten erfolgt über die DRIVE NDT-Schnittstelle, so kann aus Auftrags- und Prüfdaten in nur wenigen Schritten ein individueller und umfassender Prüfbericht erstellt werden. Durch die Anbindung an ein Netzwerk oder eine Cloud lassen sich mit D-Tect X auch arbeitsteilige Prozesse realisieren.

Mit diesem enormen Funktionsumfang, der modernen Architektur und durch stetige Weiterentwicklung, ist man mit D-Tect X auch für zukünftige Herausforderungen bestens gerüstet.