DWT Based Automated Weld Pool Detection and Defect Characterisation from Weld Radiographs

Abstract

Industrial Radiography is the most widely accepted NDT technique for weld quality in industries. As it is an indirect method, defect type and nature must be obtained by analyzing the radiographs. Manual interpretation of radiographs is subjective in nature. So the paradigm shifted to automated weld defect detection system. Though considerable research is done in automated weld defect detection, an accurate domain specific technique has not yet been evolved due to noise, artifacts in radiographs, low contrast between the defect region and the background and difficulty in isolating the defect. The proposed work aims at developing an automated weld defect detection system that enhances the contrast between the object and the background and isolates the weld defect. In this work, real time weld radiographs are acquired and contrast enhancement is performed with DWT. Slag and Porosity are isolated and dimensionally characterized.