A testing laboratory has been recertified to enable expansion of current services to include a high-tech testing process that identifies flaws, cracks or defects in metallic materials such as forged components and high intensity nuts, bolts and fasteners for a wide range of industrial sectors. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) company PTS Group has re-certified its UKAS ISO17025 accreditation after a robust three-day audit which will help to meet the increasing demand for NDT and mechanical testing of weldments and fasteners used on submarines, trains and in construction across the world. Eddy current testing (ECT) involves passing free-flowing electric currents through conductive materials to identify any flaws that may lurk under the surface and otherwise go unnoticed, causing more serious problems.
Adam Bates, Quality Director at the Stafford-based firm, said: “We are delighted with the recent accreditation outcomes, we have been investing in technology and staff training to broaden our industry standards. Part of our recent work has included creating a new laboratory area for mechanical testing and staff being trained to conduct eddy current testing. By expanding the scope of our accreditation it means we can bring more work in house using our certified inspection personnel to supplement our already well established core business of testing on site of our customers. This also means we can provide our in-house services for some companies and be the go-to on-site NDT provider for others. Rightly, this reaccredition is a robust process and we’re pleased to be able to pass this yet again.”
To be a UKAS certified laboratory for testing, companies have to have a full recertification audit in accordance with the governing standard every three years which mandates the presence of third party impartial auditors who spend their time at the company’s offices and testing facility to verify all lab activities such as Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) and Ultrasonic Testing (UT). PTS first gained ISO17025 accreditation in 2022 and in addition the company has had successful audits for ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and ISO 45001 Health and Safety in November and January.
The company, based at Common Road Industrial Estate, UK, is the only NDT company in Staffordshire to be UKAS accredited laboratory and bosses now plan to apply for ISO 14001 accreditation for Environmental Management Systems, which will enable them to expand their range of services further to include product pickle and passivation.
(Source: PTS Group)
Schlagworte
CertificationDPIDye Penetrant InspectionISO17025Magnetic Particle InspectionMechanical TestingMetalMPINDTNon Destructive TestingUIUltrasonic InspectionUnderwater WeldingWeldments