SOLUTION SHEET

FlawHunter NDT System

Laser Shearography NDT System for fast & reliable inspection of large,
sandwich, honeycomb, composite laminate, and bonded components

Portable NDT Solution for in-field (service) NDT and quality control(post-production) operations
The FlawHunter is an integrated NDT inspection device, equipped with an advanced, highresolution Laser Shearography sensor with a vacuum (partial) excitation system. Designed
as a completely compact, stand-alone system, the FlawHunter can be used by one NDTtechnician or operator.
It is ergonomic & easy-to-use and is equipped with a workflow-oriented, GUI-display andleft/right-hand button control. The FlawHunter can be used on any material & surface
provided a stable vacuum can be generated within the vacuum seal (viewable inspectionarea).

FlawHunter Laser Shearography NDT System

Key benefits•

Light & convenient system weighing only 9 kgs (20 lbs)

•Ergonomic & easy to handle with two (left- & right-hand), +/- 45° adjustable tilt handles•

Can inspect 320 mm x 230 mm (12.6 ‘‘ x 9 ‘‘) within a maximum of 10 seconds•

Safe to use system with laser safety Class 1.

•

Fully integrated control electronics with no external connections•Single-/Multi-Step measurement acquisition workflow via the trigger button operation•

Uses the 4+4 Phase Shifting technique removing measurement noise.

•Multiple vacuum frame seals available

FlawHunter being used on
a CFRP Laminate/Sandwich
Component indicating
localized impact damage
and voids.

Sub-micrometer, measurement resolution
Laser Shearography is an optical, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniqueused to reveal sub-surface defects in structures. This technique works
through the application of a load to a structure for which a laser shearography
sensor observes (minimal) surface bending in the form of an out-of-planestrain field, and subsequently images the measurement as a phase map.
Since the sensor is sensitive to changes in the interference of laser light, thecapability of the sensor to detect bending is within the sub-micrometer range.
The ultimate goal of any NDT system is to deliver reliable measurement results
as economically as possible. Laser Shearography is a perfect solution that candetect defects that other NDT methods cannot, including disbonds, kissing
bonds, node bond splits, and ply wrinkling. In many cases the reliability of thetechnique, as quantified through the smallest detectable defect size at 90%
Probability of Detection (PoD) and low False Call Rates is unmatched.

Applicable NDT Applications for
Laser Shearography

The economic advantages of using Laser Shearography include high inspection rates (i.e. m2/sec), low sample preparation times, and formal NDT
technique approval & recognition.
The best applications suited for the FlawHunter are large-bodied components
made from honeycomb, sandwich, composite laminate, or bonded/coating(cross-section) constructions.

FlawHunter being used on a CFRP
Laminate/Sandwich Component.

FlawHunter being used on an Aluminium Sandwich Component.

Phase Map of an Alu. Honeycomb
Comp using the FlawHunter.
(Marine NDT)

Phase Map of a Sandwich Comp
using the FlawHunter. (Marine NDT)

A workhorse for efficient & fast NDT inspection
The FlawHunter can inspect 320 mm x 230 mm (12.6 ‘‘ x 9 ‘‘) within amaximum of 10 seconds (including; placement, clamping & measurement),
yielding an inspection rate of 0.44 m²/min (4.7 ft²/min)! The vacuum pumptypically requires 3-5 seconds to reach a steady vacuum level. Using the4+4 Phase Shifting technique in conjunction with stable vacuum control
via the integrated vacuum pump & controller, users can set the vacuum(pressure) level down to -11 kPa with a tolerance of +/- 0.05 kPa. The
result yields measurement images with the best definition and clarity withminimal noise.

View of FlawHunter from underneath, showing a sealed area(Field-of-View) and two laser diodes.

FlawHunter being used on a CFRP
Laminate Component.

Page 2Phase Map of the Bondline Lengthof a TE Section using the FlawHunter.
(Wind Power NDT)

Phase Map of an Alu. Honeycomb
Comp. using the FlawHunter.
(Aerospace NDT)

Easy operation via workflow-oriented trigger buttons
The FlawHunter is equipped with two buttons on either handle (left &right). A grey trigger button (L1/R1) is operated using the thumb and the(L2/R2) trigger button is operated using the 3rd (middle) finger. With two(left- & right-hand), +/- 45° adjustable tilt handles and a ball-socket Tablet
PC connection, the FlawHunter can be easily handled by operators toinspect any (accessibly difficult) surface.

Left/Right-Hand button controls

Tilt angle direction for handles

Using the FlawHunter Laser Shearography NDT System users can perform
two types of measurement modes: single-/multi-step measurementmode (standard) and manual measurement mode.
The single/multi-step GUI acquisition mode, as known from the Q-810,
is combined in one mode in the FlawHunter. Users can use pre-selectedpressure steps and take reference & snapshot measurements.

FlawHunter Laser Shearography
NDT System

Single/multi-step GUI acquisition mode workflow
Page 3

NDT applications

Customer Service & Support Benefits

1-year free software updates withtechnical support (E-mail/phone)

Unlimited access for an unlimited
amount of users to the LS user training
module via the Dantec eLearning
platform.

1-year warranty (standard)

Access to a yearly servicing package ata fixed price, including Istra4D software
upgradesOnline help/support using TeamviewerTM
for application assistance and running
troubleshooting diagnostics online (if needed).

Dantec Dynamics works closely with accredited NDT training and servicing providers
for Laser Sheargraphy NDT. Our primary training partner, Testia®, an Airbus®
company, offers LS training to EN 4179 at Bristol in the UK. Certification can also becompleted on location.

Page 4

Technical specifications
Specifications
Dimensions

380 mm x 430 mm x 400-500 mm* (15’’ x 17’’ x 15.7’-19.7”’*)Weight9 kg (20 lbs)

Field-of-View (FoV)

32 cm x 23 cm (12.6” x 9”)

Inspection Rate

0.44 m2 /min** (4.7 ft²/min**)Camera3.2 MPx / 37 Hz (standard) or 5 MPx / 24 Hz (optional)
12-bit CMOS camera

Shearing Sensor

SW-controllable shearing piezo (shear angle and shear distance)
Phase-stepping piezo

Laser Unit

2 laser diodes
120mW (CW) @ 660nm

Laser classClass 1DIN EN 60825-1:2007
IEC 60825-1:2007
ANSI Z136.1-2014

Tablet PC

Display (13 ‘‘) / 3:2 / 2880 x 1920
Intel® Core™ i7
RAM: 16 GB
SSD: 512 GB(*) Depending on Tablet PC Angle(**) Assuming max. 10 seconds for placement, clamping & measurement

Order information
Category

Item

Item noFlawHunter

FlawHunter Laser Shearography NDT System- Tablet PC + Stylus

DSM 83000

Vacuum Frame Seals
DSM 84010

Curved Seal (Side R = 110 cm) (Exchangeable)

DSM 84020

Curved Seal (Side R = 115 cm) (Exchangeable)
Docking Station

FlawHunter Office Docking System

Solution Sheet DS_0811_v2. Subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2022.
Dantec Dynamics. All Rights Reserved. www.dantecdynamics.com

DSM 83050