What Non-Destructive Testing Actually Does
NDT is exactly what the name suggests — a way to evaluate the integrity of a component without damaging it, without cutting it apart, and without taking it out of service permanently. For overhead lifting equipment where structural integrity is directly tied to worker safety, NDT is often the difference between a component that stays in service safely and one that's quietly deteriorating toward failure.
Amick's NDT capabilities span two of the most widely used inspection methods in the industry — each designed to find a different kind of defect.
Magnetic Particle Inspection — Finding Surface and Near-Surface Flaws
Magnetic Particle Inspection detects surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. It's one of the most reliable methods for finding cracks, laps, seams, and other defects that could compromise the structural integrity of lifting and rigging equipment.
The process works by magnetizing the component and applying ferromagnetic particles (dry or wet) to the surface. Any discontinuity in the material creates a leakage field that attracts the particles, forming a visible indication of the defect's location and size. What was invisible becomes visible — a crack that couldn't be seen with the naked eye now shows up as a clear, distinct line of particles.
Amick's Level II certified NDT technicians perform MPI using both P-70 and Parker Probe equipment, accommodating a variety of part sizes, geometries, and inspection requirements. MPI is commonly used on:
Hooks and shackles — Critical connection points where a hidden crack could lead to a dropped load.
Master links — Load-bearing rings that carry the full weight of the lift.
Lifting beams — Below-the-hook devices where structural welds are load-critical.
Welded assemblies — Any fabricated component where weld quality determines safe working capacity.
Post-overload evaluation — Components suspected of being loaded beyond rated capacity.
Post-repair verification — Confirming that a repaired component is free from cracks or defects before returning to service.
Ultrasound Testing — Looking Inside the Material
Where MPI shows what's on or near the surface, Ultrasound Testing shows what's inside. Using high-frequency sound waves that penetrate into the material itself, ultrasound detects internal flaws, measures wall thickness, and identifies material inconsistencies that are invisible to the naked eye and beyond the reach of surface inspection methods.
For components where wall thickness loss from corrosion or erosion is a concern — pins, shafts, load-bearing structural members, and hollow rigging components — ultrasound testing provides precise, quantifiable data on remaining material thickness. It's also used to verify material properties, detect internal cracks and voids, and assess weld integrity in critical lifting equipment.
The process is fast, portable, and non-destructive. The component being tested isn't damaged or altered — results are immediate and quantifiable, providing thickness measurements and flaw location data that support informed decisions about equipment serviceability.
When NDT Comes Into Play
Amick's NDT services support several scenarios:
Routine periodic inspection — For critical lifting components in continued service, especially those in demanding environments.
Compliance inspections — Documented NDT as part of an overall inspection program that meets OSHA and ASME requirements.
Post-overload evaluation — After a suspected overloading event, when visual inspection can't confirm whether internal damage occurred.
Post-repair or post-fabrication verification — Quality assurance on repaired or newly fabricated components before they return to service.
In-Shop and On-Site
Amick provides NDT services both at the Pittsburgh facility and on-site at customer locations. When it's impractical to ship equipment — because it's too large, too heavy, or integral to an active operation — Amick brings the inspection to the equipment.
Backed by Amick's Full Inspection Program
MPI and Ultrasound Testing are part of Amick's broader rigging inspection program, which covers the full range of overhead lifting equipment to OSHA and ASME standards. When NDT is called for as part of a comprehensive inspection — or when it's needed on its own for a specific component or situation — Amick delivers the results.
To schedule NDT services or discuss an inspection need, contact Amick at 412-429-1212.