Manufacturers have plenty of options when it comes to inspecting materials and components without having to destroy or waste them. Nondestructive testing methods range from simple manual and visual techniques to sophisticated eddy current and ultrasound technologies that can be used for spot-checks or incorporated right into the production line.
But having lots of options can lead to inconsistent standards and processes. For organizations with multiple suppliers, it’s not unusual for a contract to state that components must be subjected to nondestructive testing but provide no specifics about inspection frequency or what techniques are acceptable.