Equipment for aircraft eddy current inspection

All Essential Eddy Current Inspection Equipment for Aircraft Components

Eddy current testing (ECT) is one of the most critical nondestructive testing methods used in aircraft and helicopter maintenance. Based on the principles of electromagnetic induction, ECT enables reliable detection of surface and subsurface cracks, corrosion and fatigue defects in conductive aircraft components, including fuselage skins, wheel discs, fastener holes, and other safety-critical parts. Its key advantage lies in the ability to inspect conductive materials with complex geometries and varying thicknesses, supporting continuous airworthiness and compliance with aviation safety regulations. Given the high operational loads, cyclic stresses, and strict regulatory requirements of the aviation sector, effective eddy current inspection equipment is essential for identifying defects at an early stage and preventing in-service failures.

Aircraft wheel inspection system SmartScan

SMARTSCAN Aircraft Wheel Inspection System

Equipment that automatically detects cracks in the aviation wheel halves up to 35 in (900 mm) in diameter using eddy currents. It is designed to inspect the main and nose wheels of aircraft and helicopters. High sensitivity, a low noise level, and a fast automated inspection process ensure reliable results. The SMARTSCAN FA is an essential aircraft maintenance and MRO operation NDT product.

Portable eddy current flaw detector with large display EDDYCON CL

Eddycon CL Portable Eddy Current Flaw Detector

A versatile eddy current flaw detector that is compatible with a broad range of probes for aviation NDT. It is designed to inspect conductive components in maintenance and production environments, including aircraft parts such as wheels, fuselages, and fastener holes. The instrument can detect surface and subsurface flaws, evaluate material conductivity, and measure paint coating thickness.

Portable eddy current flaw detector Eddycon C

Eddycon C Portable Eddy Current Flaw Detector

A compact maintenance tool for the eddy current inspection of aircraft and helicopter components is utilized. The instrument detects surface and subsurface flaws with depths from 0.002 in (0.05 mm) and widths from 0.00008 in (0.002 mm). This enables reliable mobile crack detection in aviation applications. It is compatible with reflection, bridge, and single-coil eddy current probes and can connect to specialized rotary eddy current scanners for inspecting fastener holes and other critical areas.

Eddyсon CL Aviation Testing Kit

An inspection kit for aviation maintenance applications that is fully ready for use. It includes an Eddycon C or Eddycon CL eddy current flaw detector, a full set of eddy current probes, calibration metal blocks with holes and notches, and a rotating bolt hole scanner. This kit is designed to perform eddy current inspections according to Airbus and Boeing international regulations, ensuring the reliable inspection of aircraft components during maintenance and MRO operations.

Use of eddy current inspection tools in aviation

Aircraft wheel inspection
Performed using automated eddy current inspection systems to ensure reliable detection of surface and subsurface fatigue cracks. The inspection is focused primarily on wheel discs, which are subjected to high cyclic loads, braking stresses, and thermal effects during operation. During testing, the wheel is securely fixed and rotated while eddy current probes scan critical areas, including the tubewell, bead seat, and flange. Simple, user-friendly controls and software allow fast system setup and inspection, with the option to save and load inspection setups for each wheel type. System sensitivity is verified using calibration blocks, and inspection results are automatically recorded to ensure full traceability of inspection data.

Bolt and rivet hole inspection
Fatigue cracking in aircraft fastener holes is detected using rotating bolt hole scanners and portable eddy current flaw detectors (see Aviation Eddy Current Testing Kit). This inspection method is widely applied during aircraft structural maintenance, including inspection of fastener holes in airframe structures, structural frames, and wheel assemblies. The handheld rotating bolt hole scanner features a lightweight, one-handed design that enables full circumferential probe rotation from any access direction, supporting efficient in-situ inspection of fastener locations without component removal.

Airframe Surface Inspection
Cracks in aircraft skin, lap joints, and areas around fasteners are manually detected using portable eddy current testers, such as the Eddycon C or Eddycon CL. These inspection tools effectively identify fatigue-related cracks in fuselage and wing skins. They are also well-suited for inspecting complex airframe geometries, including edges, flat surfaces, cutouts, and tight radii. Inspection can be performed without removing paint coatings or surface contamination.

Inspection of Engine Components:
Aircraft engines operate under severe thermal and mechanical loads. As a result, their components are highly susceptible to fatigue damage and material degradation. Portable eddy current testing equipment detects surface and subsurface cracks in turbine blades, especially in fillets and along the leading and trailing edges. This allows for the identification of damage before it affects performance or safety. Depending on the scope of the inspection, eddy current equipment can be used with reduced disassembly requirements, which supports efficient maintenance planning. It enables rapid inspection with immediate results, and real-time digital data supports timely maintenance decisions during scheduled checks.

Eddy Current Equipment for Aviation NDT

OKOndt GROUP offers eddy current equipment for aircraft and helicopter components that meet applicable international standards, supporting the inspection procedures used by leading aircraft and component manufacturers. Submit an inquiry form to select the appropriate NDT product for your aviation inspection needs. Our specialists will help configure the equipment to match your specific inspection requirements.