OmniScan MX2 Training Program

TCG Calibration Wizard

OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Calibration Wizard Overview
u The MX2 TCG calibration wizard is designed to equalize the
amplitude of all A-scans or focal laws in the group over the
sound path range with a series of calibration targets.
u This is the same function as a conventional single channel
instrument with the exception that it is performed on many
focal laws or A-scans simultaneously.
u In conventional UT, TCG or DAC calibration is achieved by
manually adjusting the gain until the reflected signal is at a
predetermined amplitude at each calibration target over the
sound path, typically 80%.
u The TCG calibration wizard uses the same interface as the
sensitivity calibration with the exception that it does not allow
a negative gain correction and it can be used on successive
calibration targets by moving gate A to the next target.

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Calibration Wizard Overview cont.
u Like in conventional UT, the TCG calibration allows flaws of the same size to
appear at the same amplitude and color for different angles and sound paths.
u Without use of the TCG, the amplitude based acceptance criteria such as ASME
and similar code cannot be achieved on all focal laws through the weld or
component inspection volume.
u In the image to the right, use
of the TCG calibration
results in all three holes of
different depth and sound
path to be detected at the
same amplitude and color
by three different focal laws.
u Without the use of TCG this
is not possible.

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Calibration SDH Selection
u The targets used for TCG calibration should cover the entire range of the
area of interest for the inspection and specified in the work procedure.
u With the exception of an ID\OD notch calibration, there should be a TCG
point before and after any detected flaw.

20mm
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OmniScan MX2 Training – Use of TCG Calibration Wizard
u Enter the TCG calibration wizard in Wizard>Calibration>Type
Sizing>Mode TCG.
u Select Start.

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Enter the reference amplitude. (default 80%) All focal laws will be
adjusted to this amplitude by addition of a TCG gain offset for that point.
u Enter tolerance. The tolerance is a visual indicator for amplitude
verification after the sensitivity calibration correction. In the example
below a tolerance of 5% on an 80% calibration would place the window
from 77.5% to 82.5%.
u Select Next.

5% tolerance window

Amplitude envelope

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Set the gate A start position just before the first SDH in the S-scan.
u Enter the reference amplitude. (Typically 80%)
u Select set to 80%. This will automatically adjust the amplitude of the signal in
gate A to 80% by adjusting the general gain. (13.9dB below)
u Select Next.

SDH depth

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Select the last focal law to be calibrated for the TCG point.
u Excluding a portion of the S-scan as pictured to the right will allow the last TCG
point or series of points to be excluded. Typically the 45 degree would require more
points and a longer TCG than the 70 degree because it is used for the 2nd skip.
u Select Next.

Focal law Focal law Focal law

45-70 45-60 61-70

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Adjust the general gain if needed. Unlike the sensitivity calibration, the TCG
wizard will not allow any point over 80% amplitude to be corrected.
u Adjust the start and range to ensure sufficient range for all required TCG points to
be detected by all focal laws in the S-scan.
u Select next.

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Set the start and width of gate A to ensure that the calibration target can be detected
by all focal laws in the S-scan.
u Set the gate A threshold as low as possible to ensure the last focal law can be
detected. Gate thresholds below approximately 10% may have an amplitude error
beyond the tolerance when the focal law gain offset is calculated to correct to 80%.
u Select Next.

Gate A

Gate A

Gate A

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Move the probe across the calibration block with consistent pressure and coupling.
u As the calibration target travels through the gate of each focal law the green
envelope records the maximum amplitude. (Similarly to sensitivity calibration)
u The MX2 will calculate the required gain offset in dB for each TCG point to correct
to 80%. A table of TCG points and gain offsets is added to the general gain.
u TCG gain can be used to increase or decrease the envelope signal for a TCG point
without disrupting previous points.
u Use of TCG gain is sometimes
necessary when two TCG points
are too far apart or when
attempting to calibrate a wide
sector scan results in low
amplitude between the points. The
envelope signal must be at least
approximately 10% amplitude for
an accurate calibration.
u Select Add point.

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Move the probe across the calibration block again with the same pressure and
couplant to ensure that every focal law for this TCG point was corrected to 80%.
u Select next point and repeat the process for successive TCG points until complete.
u If after adding a point it is unable to be verified within the tolerance window select
cancel point and repeat the process for that point.
u Upon completion of the last TCG point select accept TCG.

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OmniScan MX2 Training - Use of TCG Calibration Wizard cont.
u Successful TCG sensitivity calibration of the S-scan is visualized by repeating the
probe movement over the calibration block with all focal laws corrected to 80%
amplitude within the tolerance.
u If any focal law is over 100% after calibration the complete process must be
repeated by selecting Restart. Saturated focal laws cannot be corrected.
u Calibrate may be selected repeatedly until all laws are within tolerance.
u Select Accept when satisfactory and a green S will appear in the MX2 indication
area indicating the sensitivity was completed.

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Point Manual Edit
u The TCG gain for any TCG point on any focal law or A-scan can be manually
edited in Sizing>Type TCG>Curve Setup sub menu.

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Verification
u What is the total gain applied to the 60 degree focal law on the fourth
TCG point at 25mm?

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Verification cont.
u What is the total gain applied to the 60 degree focal law on the fourth TCG
point for 25mm side drilled hole?
– Completion of the normal sensitivity and TCG wizard calibration process will
result in the following:
General gain (37.7dB) + focal law gain offset (0.1dB) + TCG point 4 (8.1dB) =
45.9dB

UT>General>Gain

UT>General>Beam>Gain Offset

Sizing>Curve Setup>Current Law>Point 4> TCG Gain

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Verification cont.
u What is the affect on a one line S-scan inspection without a TCG
calibration?
– It is impossible to set the inspection sensitivity where flaws are detected at a similar amplitude
throughout the weld volume and flaws are missed or are detected over sensitive.
– The C-scan on the left was acquired with a TCG calibration and the C-scan on the right with only a
sensitivity calibration. Both the color and amplitude for the TCG C-scan is consistent and flaws
appearing at different positions in the weld will be detected similarly.
u The ease at which flaws are detected, characterized, and sized in analysis
is directly related to the quality of the sensitivity and TCG calibrations.

45-70 degree S-scan with TCG 45-70 degree S-scan without TCG

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG vs. DAC
u What is the difference between a TCG (Time corrected Gain) and DAC (Distance
amplitude correction) with regard to the inspection results?
– No difference. They are designed to arrive at the same defect rate and sizing. This is the
same as conventional UT and TCGs are typically preferred over DACs because a TCG
utilizes the entire display height for analysis at the far side of the range.
u What is the difference between a TCG and DAC with regard to code compliance?
– No difference. DAC and TCG are synonymous with respect to code compliance and
where one is specified either may be used. The result of a DAC is the same but
dependent on visualizing the A-scan, not the color palette.

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG vs. DAC cont.
u What is the difference between a TCG and DAC with regard to the analysis?
– A flaw in a DAC inspection as below right must be evaluated on individual A-scan
displays because the color palette is no longer valid. The same color could mean
different results on different angles and at different sound paths.
– With a DAC inspection the A-scan amplitude cannot be converted to a consistent color
palette for the entire range (Typically 80%) for use in B-scan, D-scan, C-scan, and S-
scan displays.
– The DAC does not allow for these displays for performing amplitude analysis, greatly
increasing the amount of time required to perform analysis.

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Calibration Wizard Movie

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Manual Verification Movie

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OmniScan MX2 Training – TCG Encoded Verification Movie
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