What should technicians ensure before conducting an MPI?

Before conducting a Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), it is vital that technicians confirm that the equipment is calibrated and functioning properly. This ensures that the inspection results will be accurate and reliable, which is critical for identifying potential defects in the materials being tested. Proper calibration of the equipment guarantees that the magnetic fields generated and the sensitivity of the detection methods are within recommended limits, allowing for effective detection of surface and near-surface flaws.

In the context of MPI, the integrity of the inspection process heavily relies on the precision of the tools used. If the equipment is not properly calibrated or malfunctioning, it could lead to false negatives (not detecting existing defects) or false positives (detecting flaws that do not exist), both of which can have serious implications in various industries, such as aerospace and automotive, where safety is paramount. Thus, checking the functionality and calibration of equipment is a critical preparatory step that underpins the effectiveness and reliability of the MPI process.