The Role of Simulation in Optimizing Inspection Performance
The modeling/simulation capability required depends on the complexity of the material, the part, the anomalies, the probe and the inspection technique.
Simulation can be an invaluable tool in designing probes and inspection strategies for optimal performance. Typical drivers in designing an inspection are speed, accuracy and cost. Although all three are almost always part of the evaluation criteria when developing an inspection procedure, the relative importance of the three varies depending on the application. For example, during manufacturing, speed is often paramount, especially for fully automated industrial production and relatively low-value processes. For high-value processes and safety-critical components, high resolution is mandated to allow accurate detection and sizing of anomalies. In almost all cases, the over-riding objective is to evaluate candidate inspection options to determine the solution that meets all requirements at least cost.