Robotic 3D SQUID imaging system for practical nondestructive evaluation applications

A robotic three-dimensional (3D) scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) imaging system was developed for practical nondestructive evaluation (NDE) applications. The major feature of this SQUID-NDE system is that the SQUID sensor itself scans in 3D by traveling over the surface of an object during testing without the need for magnetic shielding. This imaging system consists of (i) DC-SQUID gradiometer for effective movement of the sensor, (ii) SQUID sensor manipulator utilizing an articulated-type robot used in industry, (iii) laser charge-coupled-device (CCD) displacement sensor to measure the 3D coordinates of points on the surface of the object, and (iv) computer-aided numerical interpolation scheme for 3D surface reconstruction of the object. The applicability of this system for NDE was demonstrated by successfully detecting artificial damage of cylindrical-shaped steel tubes.