Water-Jet C-Scan
Non-Contact Squirter Ultrasonic Inspection for Large and Complex Parts
CCNDT water-jet (squirter) C-scan systems use a focused column of water as the ultrasonic coupling medium, eliminating the need for full part immersion. This approach enables inspection of large panels, complex-curvature components, and parts that cannot be submerged, while maintaining non-contact coupling and automated raster scanning capability.
Squirter Coupling Technology
A precision nozzle generates a stable, laminar water column that serves as the acoustic path between the transducer and the test surface. The water jet maintains consistent coupling without physical contact, preventing surface damage and contamination. Unlike immersion systems, squirter configurations allow inspection of parts too large for any practical water tank, including aircraft wing skins, fuselage panels, and wind turbine blade shells.
- Stable laminar water column for consistent non-contact coupling
- No part immersion required—ideal for oversized components
- Prevents surface damage and contamination
- Compatible with both pulse-echo and through-transmission modes
System Design
Water-jet C-scan systems typically employ gantry-type or robotic scanning mechanisms with integrated water delivery and recirculation. Multi-axis motion platforms synchronize probe position with ultrasonic data acquisition to produce real-time C-scan images. For through-transmission inspection of complex curved surfaces, dual-sided squirter heads maintain aligned transmit and receive paths across varying part contours.
- Gantry or robotic scanning with integrated water delivery
- Synchronized motion and data acquisition for real-time imaging
- Dual-sided squirter heads for through-transmission on curved surfaces
- Water recirculation and filtration system
- Programmable scan paths for complex geometries
Applications
Water-jet C-scan is the standard method for aerospace composite panel inspection, large metal plate and billet evaluation, and wind energy blade quality assurance. It is also widely used for in-service inspection of installed structures where immersion is impractical, and for production-line screening of large-format manufactured parts.
- Aerospace composite wing and fuselage panel inspection
- Large metal plate and billet internal defect mapping
- Wind turbine blade shell and spar cap evaluation
- In-service inspection of installed structures
- Production-line screening of large-format parts
Talk to Our NDT Engineers
Tell us about your inspection target and we will recommend the right ultrasonic solution.