What is validation?

The use of non-destructive testing (NDT) is a key part of the
manufacturing  process,  and  is vital in ensuring integrity of
products and components throughout their service.

The validation process aims to assess the acceptability of the
techniques and equipment used,  the  inspection  procedures
and  the  personnel  carrying out the inspection. It should be
able  to  demonstrate  that  the  entire inspection process
accurately  and  consistently  meets  the   requirements
of relevant codes and standards, regulators, customers
and users.

As both established and new techniques and equipment
are  developed  to  meet   the  changing   demands  of
inspectors,  regulators  and  end  users,  it  is of great
importance  to  these  people,  as  well  as  the
manufacturers  of  the  inspection  equipment,  that  the
results produced when using all inspection equipment can
be validated by an independent body.

The validation process doesn't end with inspection equipment,
though. The people who use the equipment  can  be  assessed
to  ensure  that  they  have the appropriate knowledge and skills
to perform inspections to the necessary standards. Furthermore, the
procedures  used  by  these  operators  also  need  validation  to
demonstrate  that  they  are  appropriate  for  the  materials  and
components being inspected.

What is the NDT Validation Centre?

The NDT Validation Centre is an independent organisation. It was set up as a resource for reviewing, assessing and verifying all aspects of non-destructive testing. It has no affiliation with any equipment manufacturers, regulators or end users, and so provides unbiased results and opinions.

The Centre is run by joining experts TWI Ltd in collaboration with Swansea Institute of Higher Education and set up with financial support from the UK Department of Trade and Industry, the Knowledge Exploitation Fund and a range of industrial sources.

It was formed as part of the National Composites Network (NCN) - a Knowledge Transfer Network, also funded by the DTI and managed by TWI - which facilitates knowledge sharing, networking and technology transfer. Whilst there is a focus on composite materials, the validation process is equally applicable to all other engineering materials, and the Centre has considerable knowledge and experience of the inspection of many materials and components.