Immersion Ultrasonic Testing Systems

The Industry Standard for Precision Volumetric Inspection

Immersion ultrasonic testing remains one of the most reliable methods for volumetric inspection of critical industrial components. Using water as the coupling medium eliminates the variability associated with direct-contact ultrasonic scanning and enables consistent acoustic coupling across the full inspection surface.

Altair Systems engineers immersion ultrasonic testing systems designed specifically for the components our clients need to inspect. Tank size, gantry configuration, number of motion axes, probe handling and scan resolution are all configured to deliver inspection performance that meets strict industry standards and traceability requirements.

Our systems are deployed across aerospace manufacturing, power generation, oil and gas, heavy manufacturing and precision engineering environments where reliable defect detection is essential.

System Configurations

• Bridge Gantry Immersion Systems (2–5 Axis) – High-precision gantry scanners operating above fixed immersion tanks for production inspection of plates, billets, rings and machined components.
• Column and C-Frame Systems – Compact vertical or horizontal immersion scanners designed for precision components such as turbine disks, bearing rings and aerospace parts.
• Rotary or Turntable Immersion Systems – Servo-driven rotating fixtures combined with linear probe axes for efficient inspection of cylindrical components including shafts, rings and rotor sections.
• Multi-Bay Production Systems – Automated inspection cells with multiple immersion tanks and integrated part handling designed for high-throughput production environments.

NDT Methods Supported

• Conventional Pulse-Echo UT – Focused single-element transducers used for standard billet, plate and forging inspection.
• Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) – Multi-element probes providing beam steering and focused inspection for complex geometries.
• Total Focusing Method / Full Matrix Capture (TFM/FMC) – High-resolution imaging for detailed defect characterisation and research applications.
• Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) – Accurate sizing of planar defects in welds and high-integrity structures.
• Through-Transmission Ultrasonic Testing (TTU) – Dual-probe configuration used for composite panels and bonded structures.
• Multi-Probe Parallel Acquisition – Multiple transducers operating simultaneously to achieve high-speed production inspection.

Inspection Applications

• Billets and bar stock inspection for aluminium, titanium, steel and nickel alloys
• Forged components such as rings, disks, shafts and impellers
• Aerospace structural plate and composite panels
• Precision machined components requiring high-resolution inspection
• Weld inspection for pressure vessels, nozzles and fabricated assemblies

Software and Data Management

Altair Systems immersion UT platforms are delivered with an integrated inspection software environment that manages the entire inspection workflow from calibration to reporting.

• Guided scan plan setup and probe calibration
• Real-time A-scan, B-scan, C-scan and D-scan imaging
• Automated defect detection and indication flagging
• Post-scan analysis and defect sizing tools
• DAC and TCG calibration management
• Comprehensive inspection reporting and traceability records
• DICONDE-compatible data storage
• NDE 4.0 integration with API data export and cloud reporting

Why Altair Systems

Many immersion ultrasonic testing systems are sold as standard equipment and then adapted to the inspection requirement. Altair Systems takes a different approach. We start with the inspection requirement itself – the component geometry, the material properties, the applicable standards and the required production throughput.

From this foundation we engineer inspection systems that deliver reliable detection performance and long-term operational stability. Our team supports the entire system lifecycle including application engineering, system build, factory acceptance testing, commissioning and ongoing technical support.