Patent ID: 8347746

Claim:
An apparatus for providing an automated movement of a non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor over a workpiece surface, comprising: a housing having forward and rear portions engaging opposing edges of the workpiece and an elongate member interconnecting the forward and rear portions of the housing, a biasing mechanism interacting with an end portion of the elongate member to urge the forward and rear portions toward one another to cause the workpiece to be securely held therebetween, an arm coupled to the housing for reversible movement in a first direction along the length of the elongate member and between the forward and rear portions of the housing, the arm supporting the NDI sensor, and a drive mechanism carried by said housing for moving the housing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction over the workpiece, the drive mechanism including at least one friction element engaging a leading edge of the workpiece and a motor supported by the housing for driving the friction element along the one surface.