Quality Control

MarsKeel Technology™ is continuing to expand our ability to offer world leading products through an increased envelope of testing; material and positional tests. The following is a list and general description of the available testing or assurances that we can offer the customer, builder and designer. All of these tests or checks are preformed by accredited or certified professionals or companies. Therefore full documentation is prepared for each test.  Not all of these processes need to be employed on any project but we have completed projects that were to be certified by Lloyds Register or RINA that utilized all of the processes offered. The amount and scope of the testing is left up to the designer, builder or engineer.

Non-Destructive Testing

UT
This can be done to certify that raw material, such as plate steel is free of inclusions or laminations as well as inspection of weld joints in fabrications. In ultrasonic testing (UT), very short ultrasonic pulse-waves are launched into materials to detect internal flaws or to characterize materials.

MPI
Magnetic particle inspection (MPI) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) process for detecting surface and subsurface discontinuities in ferrous materials. The presence of a surface or subsurface discontinuity in the material allows the magnetic flux to leak. If an area of flux leakage is present the particles will be attracted to this area. The particles will build up at the area of leakage and form what is known as an indication. The indication can then be evaluated to determine what it is, what may have caused it, and what action should be taken if any.

Dye Penetrant
This can be done to confirm that a cast part is free of inclusions that are not readily visible. Dye penetrant inspection (DPI), also called liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) or penetrant testing (PT), is a widely applied and low-cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). LPI is used to detect casting and forging defects, cracks, and leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.



X ray
This testing method is employed to determine for example if a part meets the integrity standard required for a casting, Class 1-5, commercial to nuclear. Radiographic Testing (RT), or industrial radiography, is a nondestructive testing (NDT) method of inspecting materials for hidden flaws by using the ability of short wavelength electromagnetic radiation (high energy photons) to penetrate various materials.

Destructive Testing

Physical Testing
If required, by the required production methods and techniques, i.e. casting, the material can be checked using samples, coupons, of the work tested to failure point. These tests can confirm UTS, UYS and Charpy Impact strength. Such work would include weld joints, coupons from cast parts.



Chemical Testing
If required, generally but not exclusively used in cast parts, through the testing and analysis of certified coupons, the chemistry of the part can be confirmed. The micro structure of the material can also be confirmed through related tests, microstructure evaluation.

General Assurances

Positional Checking
If required by the necessary tolerances any part such as a complex fabricated fin can be inspected using the Faro Arm to define its  positional accuracy, this is generally done before machining.

Measuring directly against CAD data with a measurement arm lets the operator see real time deviations from nominal. The maximum precision of the arm is 0.016mm (0.0006”) often more accurate and consistent than conventional measurement methods (calipers, micrometers, etc.) or traditional CMMs Use a measurement arm to digitize a part or object to create a fully surfaced CAD model. This model is then compared to the offered IGES or STEP file of the keel or fin to ensure proper positioning and shape.



Material Certification
If requested any used materials have a mill test report supporting the required properties from the offered drawings. Examples, rod material used in keel bolts.