Penetrant Inspection NADCAP AC7114

[Randy Stewart]

We are getting ready for our AC7114 and supplement NADCAP audit in a couple months.
Going through the Auditor Handbook for AC7114/1 in 5.9.1 under Penetrant System Performance, it talks about using color photos to establish a baseline for your TAM Panel performance.
It really doesn't give any parameters for how to take the "color picture" now required. I have looked at the auditor training .ppt but the only thing that it adds is to include a 6 inch rule in the picture, this makes sense.
It leaves a lot open to interpretation, and from our Chem Process Audit, it doesn't seem like they want you to "interpret" anything.
There are a lot of different variables here: Lighting, Camera Type, Film Type, F-Stop Setting, Digital, age of penetrant, how close to 1:1 ratio, ect.

Does anyone have any experience with this requirement?

[Coury Ferguson]

Does anyone have experience with this?

[andygr]

You will find that this take a little practice and a lot of trial and error.
One thing that helps is to use 2 black lights if you have them to illuminate the pannel from oppisite sides.
Most of the newer digital cammers can take pictures under the black light. Turn off the flash and use the close up (macro) setting.

[Randy Stewart]

Have you gone through an audit with this new change?
I was wondering what the auditor was looking for in the procedure, also.
We have 2 black lights, each are around 2200 microwatts, plus we have the overhead fluorescent types.
The pictures that PRI has in its auditor training were ****, in our book. I don't see how you could establish a very good baseline with them.
Is there any consideration as to what type of paper to print them out on, or the resolution of the print?
Thanks for your help.

[andygr]

The first picture is realy out of focus but the others show what they are looking for. The digital cammera's low light technology has improved from when these pictures were taken.
Just play around with the lighting based on the lights you have and get a resonable picture that can be used for comparision. We have found that lighting from one direction is harder to get a good picture that from mutiple directions.
Even though they "sugest" 1:1 the best practice is to put the 6 inch scale on the panel when you take the picture. Print it out to scale.

Do not forget that when you record the baseline measurements to have more than one person do it if you have more than 3 ( 3 min) performing LPI and only record the average size seen.
You can print it out on any photo paper and ink. Do not forget that some of the ink in printers fades.

If you want you can send the photo to the PRI staff engineer to look at if you are not sure of the quality.
For the money you pay for the audit make use of their knowledge and services in such things.

This check has not been an issue for us or our auditors they do not go over the top like they do for some items.

[Jennifer Kirley]

In Reply to Parent Post by Randy Stewart

We are getting ready for our AC7114 and supplement NADCAP audit in a couple months.
Going through the Auditor Handbook for AC7114/1 in 5.9.1 under Penetrant System Performance, it talks about using color photos to establish a baseline for your TAM Panel performance.
It really doesn't give any parameters for how to take the "color picture" now required. I have looked at the auditor training .ppt but the only thing that it adds is to include a 6 inch rule in the picture, this makes sense.
It leaves a lot open to interpretation, and from our Chem Process Audit, it doesn't seem like they want you to "interpret" anything.
There are a lot of different variables here: Lighting, Camera Type, Film Type, F-Stop Setting, Digital, age of penetrant, how close to 1:1 ratio, ect.

Does anyone have any experience with this requirement?

This PRI Network newsletter gives a list of nonconformances the organization's members have shared, and one type regards photos, mentioning a 1:1 ratio and clarity. (See page 3, Penetrant System Performance)

I hope this helps. I am not affiliated with PRI.

[Randy Stewart]

Thanks, that's a big help. I appreciate it.