System for nondestructive 
testing of spot welds

New, reliable and fully automatised method of spot welds quality control.

A patented solution

New physical measurement principle eliminates the shortcomings of competing measurement methods.

Fast, automated and reliable measurement

The measurement system solves the problems of existing methods.

Ready to deploy at your site

We are looking for customers and interested parties to implement our patent in their own products.

Developed by specialists from NTC UWB in Pilsen
Supplier for automotive segment

Advantages of the LabIR SpotWELD method

Automation through machine learning

Works automatically with minimum of false errors.

Addresses the shortcomings of competing methods

Measuring system was verified on lab tests and real parts tests.

Saves your costs

Calculate how much you save with a reliable, fast and unattended automatic quality control system.

How it works

The technique is able to distinguish ok and nok welds based on individual customer’s criteria. The principle is in laser excitation of the weld surroundings and recording of the heating and cooling phase with infrared camera. The surrounding is not influenced by previous welding. In this area, even thermo-optical properties can be expected.

This prevents of uneven heating which can mask small differences between thermal behavior of ok and nok weld. Laser heating can be individually adopted for individual types of weld (materials, sheet dimensions, etc.) and thus meet demands on inspection from time and cost perspective.

Comparison with competitive methods

Automated Manual
LabIR SpotWELD Current IR NDT methods Ultrasound automatic testing Ultrasound manual testiní Destructive testing
Principle Laser + uncooled thermographic camera Laser + cooled thermographic camera Robotic ultrasound probe Manual ultrasound probe Chisel test, cross section, tensile test
Nondestructive
Testing will not destroy the product or affect its properties in any way.
One product is destroyed and tested.
Noncontact
The measuring system does not have to touch the sheet metal, which makes measuring faster.
Unattended testing of all products
Fast automatic testing in the production line.
Without consumables
No consumables (emulsions, water, membranes) etc. are required to perform the test.
The test requires, for example, emulsions or replacement of membranes.
The test requires, for example, emulsions or replacement of membranes.
The test requires, for example, emulsions or replacement of membranes.
Access from only one side of the sheet metal
The measuring system is located on only one side of the weld.
Not affected by the optical properties of the weld
The test can handle weld contamination and local emissivity changes.
Optical properties in the weld area are an obstacle and reason for measurement inaccuracies.
Optical properties of the weld are the reason of measurement errors.
LabIR SpotWELD

New method based on laser heating and thermographic scanning.

Nondestructive
Noncontact
Unattended testing of all products
Without consumables
Access from only one side of the sheet metal
Not affected by the optical properties of the weld

Optical properties in the weld area are an obstacle and reason for measurement inaccuracies.

Current IR NDT methods

The most common methods uses a high-energy pulse and a cooled thermographic camera.

Nondestructive
Noncontact
Unattended testing of all products
Without consumables
Requires access to both sides of the sheet metal

Classical IRNDT methods for weld testing require access from both sides.

Optical properties of the weld prevents correct measurement

Optical properties of the weld are the reason of measurement errors.

Ultrasound automatic testing

Nondesctuctive test method based on contact measuring using ultrasound.

Nondestructive
Contact
Unattended testing of all products
Requires consumables

The test requires, for example, emulsions or replacement of membranes.

Access from only one side of the sheet metal
Ultrasound manual testing

Testing with manual ultrasound probe.

Nondestructive
Contact
Slow manual testing of selected products only
Requires consumables

The test requires, for example, emulsions or replacement of membranes.

Access from only one side of the sheet metal
Destructive testing

The most common methods – eg. chisel test, cross section, tensile test

Contact
Destructive

One product is destroyed and tested.

Slow manual testing of selected products only
Requires consumables

The test requires hand tools that wear out.

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Our offer

I`m a producer

… and I want to incorporate SpotWeld testing into my line

We bring a turnkey solution for your production line.

Let’s calculate together the benefits for your company. We will quantify all the benefits of non-contact non-destructive testing technology for your informed decision.

I supply welding systems

… and I want to add automated quality control to my products

We provide a license for SpotWeld technology and support in implementing it in your welding systems.

Let’s go over the technical details and see the added value for the users of your products.

I`m a researcher

… and I’d like to collaborate in the further development of non-destructive testing techniques.

We’re open to collaboration.

We invite you to discuss the technical details of automatic non-contact testing.