1. Conventional UT B-scan Software Option
EPOCH 1000 Series
Conventional UT B-scan Software Option

2. Presentation Contents
Overview and Key Features
Required Parts
Option Activation
Creating an Encoded B-scan
Creating a Timed B-scan
Cross Sectional B-scan
Reviewing Acquired B-scan Data
Encoder Calibration

3. Overview and Key Features3

4. Conventional UT B-scan Option
B-scan software option now available for use in UT mode!
Encoded or time based
New cable for connection to B-scan buggy
NEW Single Value or Cross Sectional B-scan

5. Conventional UT B-scan Option
Available beginning with software version
Once option is purchased it is remotely activated on the EPOCH 1000

6. Key Features Three B-Scan Inspection Modes Display Modes
Bi-Directional encoded
Encoder is active. Scan moves in the same direction as encoder.
Uni-Directional encoded
Encoder is active. Scan moves forward when encoder moves forward or backward.
Manual non-encoded (Timed)
The encoder is not active. B-Scan updates according to a time rate that is set with the PRF control.
Display Modes
B-Scan only (Single Value or Cross-Sectional)
B-Scan and A-Scan simultaneously

7. Key Features (cont.)
Ability to store ALL A-scans during B-scan collection
EPOCH XT only allowed for A-scan storage on alarm trigger or minimum depth
Maximum Scan Rate has been increased to up to 1200 Hz
With A-Scan Storage active the maximum scan rate is 800 Hz
NOTE: The scan rate is equal to the PRF for values less than or equal to the maximum scan rate.

8. Key Features (cont.)
B-Scan is compatible with Echo-to-Echo for coated surfaces or when there is a varying water path.
Gate 1 width must be set wide enough to completely cover Gate 2 to avoid loss of signal.
Cross-Sectional B-scan draws the B-scan image based on full A-scan amplitude data, regardless of gate position
Can be viewed live or after a scan has been captured
A-scan storage must be ON in order to view

9. Required Parts 9

10. Parts Required for B-Scan
EPOCH 1000 B-Scan Software Option
EP1000-BSCAN (U )
EPOCH 1000 Encoder Cable
EP1000-ENC-CBL-10 (U )
Also available in 25, 50, or 100 foot lengths
Encoder Buggy
BSCAN-ENC (U )
Transducer
Typically a D790-SM (U )
Transducer Cable: Choose length to match encoder cable
BNC: BCMD B (U )
LEMO: L1CMD B (U )

11. B-Scan Kits
Most customers choose to purchase B-Scan kits that contain the Instrument Software Option, B-Scan Encoder Buggy, and B-Scan Encoder Cable
EP1000-BSCAN-KIT-10: 10 foot encoder cable (U )
EP1000-BSCAN-KIT-25: 25 foot encoder cable (U )
EP1000-BSCAN-KIT-50: 50 foot encoder cable (U )
EP1000-BSCAN-KIT-100: 100 foot encoder cable (U )
The transducer and transducer cable must be purchased separately.

12. B-Scan Encoder & Accessories
D790-SM
Transducer Cable
Encoder Cable Input
Probe Holder
Water Input
Optional Extension Pole Bracket
Optional Magnetic Wheels

13. Option Activation 13

14. Option Activation
The EPOCH 1000 must be updated to Operating Software version or higher
If the B-scan option has been purchased, it can be turned on using the B scan menu

15. Option Activation (cont.)
If the B-Scan Option is NOT activated in your instrument, contact your local Olympus NDT representative to purchase this option
Once this software option is purchased it can be remotely activated on the EPOCH 1000i via a software code provided

16. Menus and Interface
To turn on the B-scan option, select B Scan > BScan = On
When B-scan is turned on, new sets of group menus appear

17. Menus and Interface (cont.)
While B-scan is ON, menu 5/6 will now contain additional parameters and controls for use in B-scan inspections
Encoder
Used to perform an encoder calibration
Cursors
Position controls for X and Y sizing cursors
Tools
Statistics and other post-analysis functions
Datalogger and reporting functions will now be located in menu 6/6

18. B-scan Menu The controls in the B scan menu are as follows:
Screen: Selects views of A-scan/B-scan or B-scan only
Mode: Starts or Stops B-scan acquisition
Source: Selects type of B-scan image
single value or cross-sectional
Correlated View: Selects alignment of A-scan and image
Source: Builds B-scan image from selected Gate

19. Additional Features
A Minimum Depth Alarm may be used to alert the operator to areas where the part thickness has dropped below a user defined threshold.
The Floating Gate option is included with the purchase of the B-scan software and may be used to set the gate height
Gate can be set at a level from -1dB to -14dB from the height of the gated echo.
Avoid echo drop out when scanning on heavily corroded parts.
Maximize measurement consistency by measuring at the same point on the edge of the echo envelope.
Floating gate can be set in the Gate Setup > Setup menu

20. Creating an Encoded B-scan20

21. Creating an Encoded B-scan
The EPOCH 1000 must be properly setup and calibrated before the B-Scan option is turned ON.
Pulser / Receiver Settings
Calibrate for Zero Offset and Velocity
Gate 1 should be setup to cover the minimum and maximum expected thickness values for the inspection.
The screenshots below show a complete setup ready for B-Scan to be turned on.

22. Equipment Setup
For encoded B-scans, a positional encoder is used to track distance traveled along the scan axis.
The standard encoder for use with B-scan is the encoder buggy
Insert your transducer into the B-scan buggy and tighten the thumb screws to secure
Attach the transducer cable to the transducer and to the EPOCH 1000
Attach the encoder cable to the encoder buggy and EPOCH 1000

23. Encoded B-scan Setup
Now you are ready to set up your B-scan using the following steps:
Turn ON the option in the B Scan > BScan menu.
Once the B-scan option is turned on, additional B-scan parameters will display in the menu.

24. Encoded B-scan Setup (cont.)
Select B Scan > Setup to enter the setup screen
Choose an Encoder Mode (Uni or Bi-directional)
Select a Direction (will determine the display view of the A-scan and B-scan image)
Set your Scan Resolution (spacing between B-scan points)
This value will determine the maximum scanning speed.

25. Encoded B-scan Setup (cont.)
The Encoder Resolution for the B-scan encoder buggy is 200 pulses/in. (7.87 pulses/mm)
If you are using a different encoder, you should perform an encoder calibration to determine the encoder resolution.
The value from the encoder calibration will automatically populate from the encoder calibration
For instructions on how to calibrate the encoder, please use the following link: Encoder Calibration

26. Encoded B-scan Setup (cont.)
Set the desired Start and End Co-ordinates for the scan
Select whether to Save Ascan images
You must be saving A-scan images in order to create a cross-sectional B-scan
If a cross-sectional B-scan for Gate 2 is being used, select the Amplitude Decimation factor
Gate 1 amplitude compression is automatically set to maximum
The current Scan File Size based on the selected parameters is displayed.
This parameter cannot exceed the Max File Size of approximately 70Mb
Press the [ESCAPE] key to return to the live screen.

27. Collecting B-scan Data
To acquire data for your B-scan
Set the B Scan > Mode to Start
Move your B-scan buggy and transducer along your test piece at the appropriate scan rate so that you do not receive an LOS measurement

28. Thickness limits defined by Gate1 Start and Width
A/B-Scan View
Min Depth Alarm
Areas of Scan below Minimum Depth
Thickness limits defined by Gate1 Start and Width
Encoded Scan axis

29. Creating a Timed B-scan29

30. Creating a Timed B-scan
The EPOCH 1000 must be properly setup and calibrated before the B-Scan option is turned ON.
Pulser / Receiver Settings
Calibrate for Zero Offset and Velocity
Gate 1 should be setup to cover the minimum and maximum expected thickness values for the inspection.
The screenshots below show a complete setup ready for B-Scan to be turned on.

31. Timed B-scan Setup
Now you are ready to set up your B-scan using the following steps:
Turn ON the option in the B Scan > BScan menu.
Once the B-scan option is turned on, additional B-scan parameters will display in the menu.

32. Timed B-scan Setup (cont.)
Select B Scan > Setup to enter the setup screen
Set the Encoder Mode to Timed
Select a Direction (will determine the display view of the A-scan and B-scan image)
Select whether to Save Ascan images
You must be saving A-scan images in order to create a cross-sectional B-scan

33. Timed B-scan Setup (cont.)
If a cross-sectional B-scan for Gate 2 is being used, select the Amplitude Decimation factor
Gate 1 amplitude compression is automatically set to maximum
The current Scan File Size based on the selected parameters is displayed.
This parameter cannot exceed the Max File Size of approximately 70Mb.
Press the [ESCAPE] key to return to the live screen.

34. Collecting B-scan Data
To acquire data for your B-scan
Set the B Scan > Mode to Start
Move your transducer along your test piece at the appropriate scan rate so that you do not receive an LOS measurement
NOTE: If the scan is moving too quickly, lower your PRF to reduce the scan speed!

35. Thickness limits defined by Gate1 Start and Width
A/B-Scan View
Min Depth Alarm
Areas of Scan below Minimum Depth
Thickness limits defined by Gate1 Start and Width
Timed Scan axis

36. Cross-Sectional B-scan36

37. What is a Cross-Sectional B-scan?
A-scans digitized and mapped to color scale based on amplitude values
Points are plotted so that the colors are positioned at the proper depth
A-scans from successive transducer positions are "stacked" to form a true few cross-sectional image 1 2
Transducer movement 3
Part depth

38. What is a Cross-Sectional B-scan? (cont.)
The depth axis on a cross-sectional B-scan uses the entire screen range, rather than just the gated region as on a single value B-scan
Depth (screen range)
Scan axis (encoded or timed)

39. Single Value vs. Cross Sectional
Single Value B-scan
“Traditional” EPOCH B-scan view
Same as EPOCH III, EPOCH 4, EPOCH XT, 37DLPlus, 38DLPlus, etc.
Draws a profile view of the test piece based on the gated single thickness value per index
Most commonly used in corrosion scanning applications

40. Single Value vs. Cross Sectional (cont.)
Cross Sectional B-scan
Much more similar to phased array images (zero degree linear scan)
Draws the B-scan image based on full A-scan amplitude data, regardless of gate position
More commonly used in zero degree laminar applications

41. Reviewing Acquired B-scan Data41

42. Completing a B-scan
Once you have acquired all the data from a particular section or have finished your entire scan, you can choose to Stop or Freeze the B-scan.
Stopping a scan will complete the scan. New B-scans will be started from the start coordinate
Freezing a scan will bring you to Review mode. When the scan is unfrozen you can continue the scan from the point where the scan was frozen.
vs.
B Scan > Mode
[FREEZE]

43. Saving Files
B-Scan files may be stored in any file type in the EPOCH The most common are:
Calibration (CAL) Files: Used to store B-Scan setups
Incremental (INC) Files: Used for most inspection data storage
When the [SAVE] key is pressed the instrument saves the entire B-Scan along with stored A-Scans and the instrument setup.
Saved B-scan files can be recalled as a setup, if desired, through the Files > Open menu in the datalogger
After recalling a file, press the [FREEZE] key to enter Review Mode

44. Start/Stop Function The Start/Stop function is used to end your B-scan
For convenience, the [CHECK] key can also be pressed when Start is highlighted to Stop a B-scan.
Once a B-scan is stopped, you will need to save and recall the scan in order to review the data.
When the B-scan is started again it will create a new scan from the start point rather than resume from the last captured point.

45. Freeze Function
When you have finished your scan section, or to pause and review your acquired data, press the [FREEZE] key to enter Review Mode.
An “F” icon will display to the left of the scan to indicate that you are reviewing a frozen scan.
The Start/Stop Mode controls will be disabled when review mode is active.

46. Freeze Function (cont.)
Entering Review Mode allows use of the following functions/features, which are explained further in this section:
Image cursors (D.T.)
Sizing cursors (X, Y)
Changing gate source data (Gate 1 or 2, single value or cross-sectional)

47. Cursors
Once a B-scan is acquired, you can perform basic on-board analysis in Review Mode using available cursors
Sizing cursors (X, Y) and DT cursor are available in the Cursor menu

48. Distance Traveled (D.T) Cursor
The distance traveled (D.T.) cursor selects a specific distance or timed point along the scan axis.
For encoded B-scans, the D.T. cursor will select a specific position along the scan axis in inches or mm.
For timed B-scans, this cursor will correspond to a specific screen pixel along the scan axis.
To adjust the D.T. cursor select Cursors > D.T.
The cursor will display as white lines on the B-scan image.

49. Distance Traveled (D.T) Cursor (cont.)
If selected in B-scan setup, a compressed A-scan will be stored for each point on the B-scan. The D.T. cursor is used to choose a particular B-scan point to view the A-scan image.
To view stored A-scans along with the B-scan, set the B Scan > Screen view to A/B Scan

50. Sizing Cursors
Sizing cursors are available for basic flaw sizing on the B-scan image
Based on your screen view, the X and Y cursors will be correspond to part depth (thickness) and scan axis (distance or time)
The X and Y cursors will form a shaded box around the selected area for easier viewing.
To turn the sizing cursors ON, select Cursors > Cursors.
The X and Y cursors can then be adjusted to take measurements in both directions along the scan.
If you are selected in Auto mode, the relevant cursor measurements will be displayed in the measurement boxes above the scan.

51. Compressed View
Since encoded B-scans allow for data collection for lengths longer than the screen width, you can compress a B-scan to view the entire scan on screen all at once.
To turn compressed view ON, select B Scan > Compressed

52. Correlated View
Aligns the thickness axis of the B-scan with the soundpath (depth) axis of the A-scan
Best used with cross-sectional B-scan which is plotted over the full range of the A-scan
The alignment of the A-scan and B-scan will match along the part thickness and depth axis

53. B-scan Analysis – Minimum Depth
In Single Value B-scan, you can display critical thinning areas in red by adjusting the Min Depth Alarm position
To adjust the minimum depth select Gate 1 > Min Depth

54. B-scan Analysis – Statistics
NEW Tools menu allows the user to display Statistics on the current acquired B-scan
To view the information for the current B-scan, select Tools > Statistics from Review mode

55. Encoder Calibration 55

56. Encoder Calibration
The Encoder Resolution for the B-scan buggy is 200 pulses/in. (7.87 pulses/mm)
If you are using a different encoder, you should perform an encoder calibration to determine the encoder resolution.
Required Equipment:
Encoder and encoder cable
Transducer and cable
Ruler, ideally at least 6 in. (150 mm)

57. Calibration Setup
Once the encoder has been properly attached to your probe:
Enter the Encoder > Calibration menu
Press [P3] to Reset the encoder pulses and D.T. values
Set the Start and End points to be used for the calibration
Using a greater calibration distance will increase encoder resolution accuracy as error is averaged over a larger distance.

58. Encoder Calibration
Position the front of the probe at the zero mark (start point) on your ruler
Press [P1] Cal Start to begin the calibration
Move the probe until the front is at the end point on your ruler
Press [P1] End Cal to complete the calibration

59. Encoder Calibration (cont.)
After the calibration has been complete, the newly calculated Encoder Resolution will display.
The resolution for the encoder buggy should be 200 pulses/in.
This value will automatically populate under Encoder Resolution in the B Scan > Setup menu
Press the [ESC] key to return to the live screen