This is a project to connect an Eddy Current Tester to a Linux-based computer (such as the NIC) and create Open Source software to Detect Corrosion in the fleet of light aircraft. We are calling this project CanDetect and there is a SourceForge project to hold this work in progress. Join our developer mailing list if you're interested in our progress.
Jan/27/2002
The Nondestructive Testing
Information Analysis Center (NTIAC) discussed the project
in their December
2002
newsletter
(PDF).
Sep/12/2002
A short
article entitled What do you have in your walls by
Alex Perry has been published by
Linux Journal in the
October 2002 issue.
June/7/2002
A paper entitled
Linux for low cost eddy current detectors,
Finds nails in your walls and cracks in your aircraft
was presented by
Alex Perry in the
conference track of
LinuxTag 2002
in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Mar/19/2002
A paper entitled
Near DC eddy current measurement of aluminum multilayers
using MR sensors and commodity low cost computer technology
was presented by
Alex Perry on 19 March 2002 as paper [4704-23] at the
NDE and Health Monitoring of Aerospace Materials and Civil Infrastructures
conference by SPIE in San Diego.
The work described in the paper uses this project.
Feb/01/2002
The first public release of the
CDROM
image for the NIC has been uploaded.
It successfully operated Dr Avrin's low-frequency-capable probe,
succeeding in detecting cracks that are buried under thick aluminum sheets.
Nov/10/2001
Alex was unable to give
this five minute talk on CanDetect, as planned, in the
Work-In-Progress section of the
Technical Conference
at the Annual Linux Showcase 2001
in Oakland. A different project was undergoing final testing for field trials.
Oct/01/2001
The donated disk drive bracket for the NIC has arrived, which allows
the diskless unit to be operated with a hard drive for development work.
Unlike our existing LTSP-based network boot,
this allows demonstrations at airport locations, with software development.
Aug/21/2001
The unit from the ThinkNIC
company arrived.
This unit has the potential to offer a truly low cost NDE tool,
as described over here.