European Standard for Visual Testing-General

Principles Paper
Macro C H Rolls-Royce Plc. Naval Marine - United Kingdom
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ABSTRACT

This paper intends to introduce the understanding of what is covered by

visual testing as perceived by the CEN TC138 Working Group 8 visual
testing standards working group. In addition it will outline the layout and
structure of the new general principles standard pr EN 13018 and also
discuss the important aspects of the implementation of the standard.

As the first general visual testing standard for Europe it is felt to be very
important that the general principles paper is received well and seen to be
a simple working structure for evolution further at the next issue.

1. Introduction

It has been known for many years that the non-destructive testing
standards have needed updating with both the changes in technology and
also the changes in working practices. These changes have meant that the
limited existing standards for visual testing are not sufficient to ensure that
the product quality is maintained. In addition there has been a lot of
difference in the practices employed across Europe.

The new European Standards that are being created by working group 8 of
the technical committee TC138 of CEN are proposed as the way of
updating and harmonising the Visual testing work across Europe. They
comprise of the following parts:-

 Non-Destructive Testing-
 Visual Testing - General Principles prEN13018, nearing completion
(Ref 1)
 Visual Testing - Equipment pr EN 13927, in enquiry (Ref 2)
 Visual Testing - Terminology prEN1330 part 10, in enquiry (Ref 3)
 The equipment standard has been very hard to finalise due to the great
variation of equipment available for what is the oldest means of testing
and is the subject of a separate paper, Ref 4.

The terminology standard forms part of a suite of terminology standards

for non-destructive testing which cover all methods as well as a standard
for general terms, Ref 5.

The general principles standard is the overall standard for visual testing
generally and is not specific to any product. This will be discussed in more
detail in this paper to outline the structure and approach taken. Product
standards also exist such as ref 6.

2. The extent of the Standard

The standard covers the application of Visual Testing generally for non-
destructive testing (NDT) both directly (eye) and remotely (endoscopes/
with cameras etc.) see section 5.3 & ref. 4 for further clarification. It also
highlights methods of working to ensure sufficient quality control is
maintained such as written instructions and procedures. The standard sets
out a method of working which allows more uniform approaches to be
taken across Europe to the way visual testing is performed, and to enable
the standard to be called up for use in other European countries without
problems or misunderstandings.

It is structured to allow product standards to call it up as a parent

document enabling specific detail to be added without the need to start
from basics. It is hoped that more product and specific application
standards will now be able to be generated in a modular way as has
happened in other NDT Methods.

4. The current status of

 General Principles
 Equipment
 Terminology

The current status of the visual testing standards is as follows:-

General Principles The standard has gone through a number of reviews and is
currently acceptable to the standards panel allowing it to go
out to final vote.
Equipment This standard is currently in the enquiry phase for comment.
Terminology This standard is currently in the enquiry phase for comment.

3. The structure of the Standard

The general principles standard is intended to be the bulk of the standard

required for testing. It includes all the features required to be able to
initiate a visual test for a component and guidelines on how to produce
written instructions, procedures and reports as necessary. It also includes
the requirements for the personnel. The content list is as follows: -

1. Scope
2. Normative References
3. Definitions
4. Pre-test Documentation
5. Direct Visual Testing
6. Remote Visual Testing
7. Personnel
8. Evaluation
9. Post-test Documentation
10.Records

5. Review of the Sections of the General Principles Standard

The standard has been written to give an easy to use format and to lay
down a structural way of working. The standard will be as easy to use in as
wide a range of applications as possible although occasionally
uncertainties will occur as with any standard.

5.1 Scope
This section defines the scope as specifying the general principles required
for visual testing both directly and remotely when it is used to determine
the compliance of a product with a specified requirement (e.g. surface
condition of the part, alignment of mating surfaces, shape of part etc.).
This includes the readings from measuring equipment for visual testing.
Measuring equipment used for other methods is specifically excluded. In
addition the standard does not apply to viewing activities linked to the use
of any other destructive or non-destructive test method.

5.2 Normative References

The normative references included are those listed as references 3, 7 and 8
which cover the qualification of personnel and visual acuity testing.
5.3 Definitions
Because of the diversity of definitions across Europe in the way visual
testing is defined it was very difficult to set up a classification which could
be understood by all to explain the main methods used in visual testing. To
simplify this two definitions were set up to distinguish between direct and
remote visual testing as this approach made the overall structure of the
standard easier. These are

 Direct Visual Testing:

visual testing where there is an uninterrupted optical path from the
observer's eye to the test area. This is either unaided or aided via
e.g. mirror, lens, endoscope or fibre optic.
 Remote Visual Testing:
visual testing where there is an interrupted optical path from the
observer's eye to the test area. Remote visual testing may cover the
use of photography, video systems and robots.

Effectively these allow the standard and equipment standard (ref. 2) to be

group specific requirements into common blocks since direct visual testing
involves direct interaction with a view of a test area and remote visual
testing modifies the view which changes the operator requirements.

5.4 Pre-test Documentation

This section calls for the creation of a written instruction, which is
mandatory. In addition when required by the product standard or contract a
written procedure shall be used. The requirements for the instruction and
written procedure are prescribed as a minimum in the standard and these
will be outlined further below.

The written procedure applies when the work is fairly involved or when a
lot of components are involved. In addition, for particular production or
inspection applications, generic procedures may be applicable with
instructions only being specific to components. Thus the emphasis has
been put on the minimum quality paperwork required to support the test.

The concept of working to a written instruction is common in NDT and

some industries - but not all, and has helped to improve the quality and
method of working. This section establishes the minimum test
requirements in a simple form to be completed for each inspection or
component and is a mandatory requirement.
The written instruction/procedure should consider the following for
inclusion as a minimum: -

 The object to be tested, its location and as many details as possible

 The extent of test coverage
 The technique and sequence of performing the test
 The surface condition
 The surface preparation
 The stage of manufacture or service life when the test is carried out
 The requirements of personnel (see section 5.7)
 The acceptance criteria
 The Illumination (type, level and direction)
 The visual testing equipment to be used
 The post-test documentation to be used (see section 5.9)

The list is not exhaustive but highlights those sections that should be
included as a minimum. The procedure should also be demonstrated using
a test-piece as close as possible to the real situation so that the true
effectiveness of the procedure can be determined. This is particularly
effective in the application of remote techniques but can be equally
applicable with tight acceptance criteria in direct testing. Written
instructions do not require a demonstration test-piece to be used as it is
considered that these should be applied in simpler test arrangements and
requirements.

Changes in equipment and details of the test arrangement should be

assessed for their impact on the sensitivity levels before deciding if the
procedure requires reproving.

The demonstration test-piece may be replaced by examples of the

component to be tested or an approved system of reference which is
physical evidence of typical indications in a form which can be referenced
from i.e. pictures, example sections of components, for the operator to
utilise during the test.

The written instruction can provide a pre-prepared form which allows the
tester to quickly identify the extent of work whilst performing the test, and
to also have somewhere to note and record the work that has been
performed as well as any comments or results. It is intended to be as
simple as possible and to allow a quality test to be performed. Its format is
very dependent on the test being performed but where possible should be
in a tick box format to speed the testing process not hinder it
5.5 Direct Visual Testing
The Standard then looks at the elements of visual testing and firstly
reviews direct visual testing. This section is based on the traditional
definition of visual testing by direct methods i.e. unaided using the eye at
600mm max and at an angle of not less than 30 degrees to the surface. The
majority of this information is a repeat of existing working methods. This
definition also covers aided direct visual testing which includes the use of
mirrors and lenses as well as fibre optics.

The use of wording like x10 magnifying lenses has been avoided, as this is
too specific for a general standard to be quoting and is open to abuse,
although it has been used in standards in the past to their detriment. For
example, a particular operator may use a set of x10 binoculars to inspect a
pipe, not for getting further surface detail but because he could not get
close enough as quoted in the procedure for general examination, thus not
improving the inspection by their use but just achieving it.

The concept of general visual testing is also discussed to cover inspection

at distances greater than 600mm as this is performed widely but never
covered adequately in definitions. Examples of this are general checks for
structural integrity such as clearances, loose or missing components, etc.
Relaxed lighting conditions are applied to general visual testing, as the
detail inspection requirements are not applicable. This makes the standard
more versatile to those inspections actually being applied.

A minimum light level of 160Lx for general visual testing and 500Lx for
fine work is set in the standard and this is a change from the figures
traditionally seen in the UK. The change to these figures will set a more
uniform lighting level across all the general and specific testing standards.

Care is also taken to draw the user's attention to points such as the choice
of colour temperature and direction of lighting as well as considering the
effects of surface reflectivity, which is often ignored.

5.6 Remote Visual Testing

This section highlights that the use of remote visual testing may be
considered where applicable i.e. the use of endoscopes and fibre optics
coupled to cameras or other suitable instruments. Where it is decided that
this style of test should be utilised then its suitability needs to be proven so
that its applicability can be evaluated. It is too easy to say that remote
equipment is required and then not actually check that that remote
equipment can perform the test required.
Remote visual testing is not just fibrescopes etc. it can also be much more
complex devices such as a Submersible Remotely Operated Vehicle or a
large manipulator with vision systems attached. The standard has been
written generally enough to still be easily applied in proving the tests
capability to perform to the acceptance criteria.

5.7 Personnel
The requirements are that personnel working to this standard shall be
proven to be familiar with relevant standards. This could be by the use of
training records or incorporating the information in the procedure. In
addition, the personnel should be informed about the relevant
manufacturing procedure.

Vision tests shall have been performed to EN473 and adjusted to include a
far vision test when performing general visual testing using the standard
optotype in accordance with EN ISO 8596 (ref. 8) to visual acuity grade
0.63

This is a change because far vision has been included to ensure that the
operator can perform the test, as there are more instances now of tests
being performed at a greater test distance than 300mm as used for the
Jaeger test. In addition some remote testing equipment focuses at greater
distances than this for practical reasons and the comfort of the operator.

5.8 Evaluation
All visual tests are to be evaluated in terms of the acceptance criteria
specified in the appropriate product standard i.e. a test is to be performed
to prove that the results and acceptance criteria can be tested for on the
actual component. The results of this test then need to be recorded for
future reference. The written instruction that is always applied can give the
space for this evaluation to be recorded. The evaluation may take the form
of a simple resolution check under the test conditions or the pre inspection
of set demonstration test-pieces as required.

5.9 Post-Test Documentation

This section covers the written test report that shall be provided when the
work or contract requires it. The report is basically a summary of the test
and the conditions under which it was performed. i.e.

 Date & place of test

 Method used (direct or remote etc according to sections 5.5 & 5.6)
 Acceptance criteria and/or written procedure/instruction reference
  Equipment and /or system utilised including set-up
 Reference to customer's order
 Name of organisation carrying out test
 Description and identification of test object
 Details of test findings with respect to the acceptance criteria (e.g.
size, location)
 Extent of test coverage
 Name & signature of person conducting test with date
 Name & signature of person supervising test with date, if required
 Marking of component when tested, when appropriate
 Results

This could also include the data from any evaluation tests that have been
performed to check the procedure or equipment. Referencing the written
instruction/procedure can complete a lot of the items above.

5.10 Records
The standard calls for records to be maintained as agreed by the product
standard or contract. This could take the form of paper records or sketches
as well as tapes of the inspection (both audio and video) as necessary.

It is possibly worth considering, at the outset of a contract, which party

should keep any records and for how long since storage is expensive. The
recording quality of any video or digitally stored image should be clearly
defined as it is difficult to achieve an image quality equal to the original
and this may affect the usefulness of making or keeping a record.

6. Implementing the standard

The overall aim of the standard was to provide the first framework for a
general principle visual testing standard. This has been achieved with the
production of this draft standard but its implementation has yet to be
completed. The implementation should be relatively easy as the practices
referred to in the standard of instructions and procedures are not new to
NDT methods and industry generally.

Written instructions are intended to be the main method of working for

simple tests which gives an easy structure to the tests. More complex and
result critical tests should be performed using procedures and in these
cases some demonstration of test capability of the procedure is called for.
The procedure test demonstration is designed to be as simple as possible
and can be adapted to suit the test criteria (see 5.8).
 Changes will have to be made by those who do visual tests without any
supporting documentation or outlined acceptance criteria, this will be of
benefit to the tester who will then have clearer guidance on the
requirements placed upon them.

7. Summary

In summary the standard has progressed well to the draft outlined and
forms a general principles standard that allows product standards to refer
to it. It can be easily applied to all the current visual testing working
practices across Europe and implemented into any test routines established
to date with little effort.

The Mandatory use of written Instructions is new but is based on current

practices and is the minimum documentation that is expected to be
required. This can be as simple, or as complex a document as the test
requires but certain minimum requirements are specified by the standard.

Procedures are called for where required and then it is required to show
that they can achieve the acceptance criteria for the test specified.

The visual acuity tests for the operator have been updated to include a
simple far vision test in addition to the existing near vision and colour
vision test.

The implementation of this standard will be a major step forward in

bringing all the NDT methods into line by having a series of standards to
cover general principles, equipment and terminology.

References

1. pr EN 13018 Non-Destructive Testing- General Principles- Visual Testing.

2. pr EN 13927 Non-Destructive Testing- Visual Testing Equipment.
3. pr EN 1330-10 Non-Destructive Testing- Terminology- Terms used in
Visual Testing.
4. WCNDT conference paper IDN299 Introduction to different equipment
used in Visual testing
5. pr EN 1330-1 Non-Destructive Testing- Terminology- List of General
Terms.
6. EN 970 Non-Destructive Examination of Fusion Welds- Visual
Examination
 7. EN 473 Qualification and certification of NDT Personnel - General
Principles
8. ENISO 8596 Ophthalmic Optics- Visual Acuity Testing- Standard
Optotype and its presentation

Further Enquiries

Should you have any further questions on the above paper or comments to
feed back for the generation of the standards still in progress for Visual
Testing then please contact Clive Macro at Rolls-Royce Plc. On +44 (0)
1332 667036 or Fax +44 (0) 1332 667092. Email contact can be made via
[email protected].

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