Wall thickness measurement

Wall thickness is a critical quality and safety parameter for pipes, metallic semi-finished products, and components. It influences dimensional accuracy, load-bearing capacity, and further processing, among other factors. Depending on the application, wall thickness must be precisely determined, checked against defined specifications, or continuously monitored during production. Deviations can result from manufacturing processes, material loss, or corrosion and may affect the structural integrity and performance of the product.

Particularly in the production of pipes and semi-finished products, reliable wall thickness inspection is essential for detecting deviations at an early stage and ensuring consistent product quality. By integrating nondestructive testing methods into the production process, wall thickness can be continuously monitored and areas outside defined tolerances identified immediately. The resulting inspection data also provides greater process transparency and can help optimize production parameters and reduce scrap.

FOERSTER offers solutions based on ultrasonic and electromagnetic testing methods. Depending on the application, they enable precise wall thickness measurement, the detection of local or continuous changes in wall thickness, and the evaluation of defined tolerances. Automated inspection systems can be integrated directly into production lines, enabling continuous process monitoring even at high production speeds.

Wall thickness measurement also plays an important role for components already in service. Mobile ultrasonic solutions enable targeted measurements directly on the component, for example on pipes, vessels, or other accessible components. This allows changes in wall thickness and material loss caused by corrosion to be detected and the current condition of the component to be assessed.