AUTOMATIC NONDESTRUCTIVE ROLL DEFECT INSPECTION SYSTEM

A computer-based eddy current nondestructive or ultrasonic testing system automatically inspects rolling mill roll surface defects during roll grinding operations comprising articulated probe means, eddy current, or ultrasonic, test instrument means, computer means, display and printer means. The articulated probe mechanism is mounted on a traversing roll grinder carriage, is automatically positioned over the test roll in response to control means initiated by the grinder operator, and has a probe head with a controlled fluid bearing, air or liquid, to automatically maintain probe-head-to-test roll gap. One or multiple eddy current, or ultrasonic, probes in the test head generate anamoly test signals, which, together with a probe head temperature sensor signal, are processed in a modified test instrument and the computer. Computer plots defects signals as color bars vs. probe position and displays these bars graphically and other messages on a color CRT display and/or a graph printer. This system arrangement provides for effective roll surface defect inspection by grinder personnel, and others, who ordinarily are unskilled in NDT test and analysis methods.