Using Eddy Current Test Techniques to Verify the Number of Bearings in a Bearing Assembly

During the fabrication of subassemblies that contain bearings (that are either self-contained in that subassembly or are captured in a race) it is important to verify that the full compliment of bearings that were meant to be installed in that subassembly are, in fact, present. To fulfill this requirement, NDT Technologies has developed an Eddy Current based inspection system that has the capability to verify that a given number of bearings have been installed in virtually any type of bearing subassembly. The NDT Technologies BV-100, Bearing Verifier, utilizes advanced eddy current inspection techniques to "count" the number of bearings that are present in a race or bearing group. This system operates as follows: 1. A probe containing an eddy current coil, that has been properly sized for the inspection to be conducted, is inserted into a bearing subassembly that has a full compliment of bearings. 2. With the probe properly positioned in that subassembly, the eddy current signature related to that full compliment of bearings is "learned" by the electronics that drive and interrogate the probe. This learned signature is then stored in system memory.