Olympus Debuts Portable Eddy Current Flaw Detectors

Olympus announced the introduction of its new NORTEC 600 Series high-performance eddy current flaw detectors. The NORTEC 600 incorporates the latest advancements in high-performance digital circuitry and eddy current flaw detection into one compact and durable unit. With its crisp and vivid 5.7 inch VGA display and true full-screen mode, the NORTEC 600 is capable of producing user-selectable, highly contrast eddy current signals in any lighting condition.

Available in four versatile models, the NORTEC 600 offers a wide range of innovative functionalities, including an Application Selection menu, an all-in-one display, real-time readings and signal calibration in Freeze mode, ensuring that inspections are quick and easy for any level of operator. Its redesigned interface borrows the intuitive, knob-operated navigation of its NORTEC predecessors and combines it with a simple menu structure and efficient direct-access keys. The NORTEC 600 delivers basic single frequency eddy current inspection; the NORTEC 600C adds digital conductivity and coating thickness measurements; the NORTEC 600S adds rotating scanner use; and the NORTEC 600D adds dual frequency capabilities.

The NORTEC 600 weighs only 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs.) and is delivered with a factory-installed hand strap that provides direct thumb access to the key controls, offering genuine handheld versatility to operators. Based on an already field-proven instrument case, the NORTEC 600 is designed for IP66 to withstand the rigors of harsh field conditions. Its ruggedness and long battery life, allowing up to 10 hours of standard operation, makes the NORTEC 600 an instrument that can be trusted for any eddy current inspection job.

Its high-performance, state-of-the-art electronics and unique vibrant display with outstanding signal performance makes the NORTEC 600 an instrument for real-world applications such as surface inspection, wheel inspection, bolt hole testing, conductivity and coating thickness measurements, and weld inspection.

For surface inspection, the NORTEC 600 comprises all the standard features for medium-high frequency surface inspection, including impedance plane views, 10x10 grid, sweep (strip chart), multiple alarm configurations, automatic lift-off and others. Newly added features such as fine (expanded) and web grids and the automatic internal balance circuit (for BNC connector) make the NORTEC 600 a highly proficient surface inspection tool.

For wheel inspection, the NORTEC 600’s wide gain range (0 –100 dB) and its state-of-the-art electronics deliver excellent quality signals, without requiring a preamplifier.

The NORTEC 600’s simplified configuration and improved filter system make it an ideal instrument for bolt hole (rotary scanner) inspections. The new filters are set by default to a “figure 6” response, the typical shape of the rotary bolt hole application. The filters can also be set to the “figure 8” response, as desired. For an even easier configuration, operators can activate the new Link option, which automatically adjusts the filter settings according to the scanner’s speed settings.

The improved conductivity mode of the NORTEC 600 features a new, straightforward calibration Wizard featuring user-defined conductivity and coating thickness references. The NORTEC 600 is capable of measuring conductivity and non-conductive coating thicknesses of up to 0.64 mm (0.025 in.) on non-ferromagnetic materials.

Due to its portable and rugged format, the NORTEC 600 is suited for performing weld inspection in harsh environments. It features an inspection-ready weld setup that helps simplify instrument preparation and calibration.

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