Planning guide · Published by Atlantis NDT
How to prepare a fair NDT equipment demonstration
Build an application-led equipment comparison covering geometry, reference samples, operator workflow and data export.
Start with the decision you need to make
A fair equipment comparison starts with a documented application and a repeatable demonstration brief. The instrument display alone cannot establish suitability. State the material, geometry, access and inspection question, then ask the responsible Level III to define what evidence the demonstration must produce. Compare setup, data interpretation and record recovery as well as acquisition. If a supplier uses a different sample or procedure, record that difference so the results are not presented as a like-for-like comparison.
What to check and why it matters
| Decision area | Evidence to prepare | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Application fit | Supply representative geometry and surface condition, with known limitations on access. Separate the production objective from a convenient demonstration specimen. | Which parts of the intended examination are represented by the proposed demonstration? |
| Reference and settings | Ask for identification of reference samples, probes and configuration records. Keep calibration traceability separate from application-specific setup verification. | Could another authorized operator understand and reproduce the documented setup? |
| Operator and data workflow | Include setup changes, saving a record, reopening it and exporting it for review. File formats and licensed viewers can affect long-term access. | Can your reviewer use the exported evidence without the supplier operating the instrument? |
Illustrative example · Not a customer case study
Apply the questions to a real-world situation
Hypothetical comparison: two instruments produce clear displays on a flat sample, but the production component has restricted access. The demonstration organizer records that limitation and requests a representative access trial before scoring application fit. Meanwhile, both suppliers export their records for the same reviewer to open. This separates an unresolved geometry question from a demonstrated data-handover requirement without declaring either instrument the winner prematurely.
Prepare your working brief
Capture what is known and name the unresolved questions. You can use the worksheet without registering or sending information to Atlantis.
- Application
- Describe material, shape, likely discontinuity and accessible surfaces.
- Representative sample
- Identify what the sample represents and what it does not.
- Procedure owner
- Name the role that sets the demonstration criteria.
- Records to retain
- List configuration, reference sample identification and export needs.
- Unresolved comparison
- Record differences between supplier demonstrations that affect the conclusion.
When you need project-specific support
Discuss application and procedure questions through NDT Level III technical support. Confirm the current deliverables and fit for your requirement with the Atlantis team.
For record ownership across jobs, explore equipment calibration tracking. Confirm the current deliverables and fit for your requirement with the Atlantis team.
For a US enquiry, include the project state and time zone, the responsible employer or owner, and the documents governing the work. For other countries, include the relevant recognition or customer requirements. Delivery and availability are confirmed for the engagement.
Discuss Level III supportScope and further reading
This page contains no independent instrument test results or manufacturer ranking. Demonstration observations do not replace procedure qualification or required calibration.
Continue with the detailed companion guide, Reconciling Rented NDT Kit Records from Receipt to Return, for a related evidence-handling workflow and its source references. The planning suggestions here are original discussion aids, not approved procedures or reproductions of standards.
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