• Nuclear

Near real-time x-ray technology

James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) is the first UK company to get official accreditation for its digital radiography inspection process.

James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) division has received ISO/IEC 17025 and NADCAP [the worldwide, industry-managed cooperative for conformity assessment for special processes within the aerospace and automotive industries] accreditation for the inspection of critical components. 

These accreditations, the first to be achieved by a company within the UK, come as JFN NDT experiences rapid growth following investment of £1.5 million.

With facilities in Deeside, Queensferry, Worcester and Sittingbourne, the JFN NDT team are on course to become one of the top providers of outsourced non-destructive testing (NDT) services to the UK manufacturing, process and structural inspection industries. In addition Rolls Royce has certified JFN’s digital radiography process for checking safety-critical aerospace components at its Worcester site.

“These developments continue JFN’s track record of establishing new conventions in how critical components are processed in high volume. It will mean greater efficiency and cost savings for clients.”

Says Alec Morton, director of NDT and instrumentation at JFN. 

Radiography is an essential NDT process for verifying the structural integrity of critical components, such as engine parts.

Dispensing with radiographic film, JFN’s digital radiography inspection process is faster than its conventional alternative and cheaper because there isn’t the same outlay on materials. Using near real-time X-ray technology, it allows for more efficient processing, accurate inspection, information sharing and data traceability. It also eliminates the environmental impact of conventional film processing chemicals.

“This challenge was similar to the one we faced (when supplying radiological protection to the Olympic Games) in 2012: How do we process a large number of subjects and assets without causing unnecessary delays?"

Alec continues.

“We resolved the component-inspection issue using the same technology and ironed out a few pinch points.”