The role of nondestructive inspection technology in improving the quality of automotive processes and products

Nondestructive inspection (NDI) technology is more valuable in automotive applications when used to establish and maintain process control and optimization by providing rapid feedback of inspection data after each critical process step than when it is used to ''control quality'' by screening out defective product. Whether characterizing materials by nondestructive evaluation (NDE), detecting flaws by nondestructive testing (NDT), or inspecting assemblies or surfaces for dimensional conformity, the wide range of operationally simple, rapid, cost-effective NDI technologies available should be applied early in the mass production manufacturing sequence where added value is minimal and where rapid feedback supports achieving and maintaining process quality. Automotive needs for inspection technologies and examples of NDI technologies that meet the requirements and constraints of the automotive industry will be discussed.