Refresher Course on NDT

The chapter conducts a refresher course on NDT every year. The course primarily intended for NDT technicians and engineers to brush up their basics. It is also tailored to introduce the fundamentals and emerging techniques in NDT to the student community. The course attracts participants from various government and private organizations throughout the country. Leading specialists from various organizations form the faculty. A facility visit and practical demonstration are also included in this course

REFRESHER COURSE - 2009

Refresher Course on Non-Destructive Testing -2009 was organized by Thiruvananthapuram Chapter on 22nd to 23rd August 2009 at Hotel Horizon, Thiruvananthapuram. The inaugural function held on 22nd August 2009 was inauguarted by Shri S Ramakrishnan, Director (Projects), VSSC. In his inaugural address, Shri S Ramakrishnan dwelt upon the importance of NDT techniques in aerospace industries and R & D activities. The course notes were released by Shri K L Handoo, Deputy Director (Structures), VSSC. The function was presided over by Dr V R Ravindran, Chairman, ISNT Thiruvananthapuram Chapter.

Welcome address by Dr. V R Ravindran, Chairman, ISNT, TVM Chapter	Inaugural address by Sri S Ramakrishnan, Director (Projects), VSSC
Address by Shri K L Handoo, Deputy Director (Structures), VSSC	Releasing the Refresher Course Notes by Sri KL Handoo, Deputy Director (Structures), VSSC

The course was spread over two days comprising of seven sessions on various subjects. The course lectures were delivered by experienced scientists and NDT experts from VSSC. The subjects included 'Significance of NDE', 'Conventional NDT techniques', 'Radiographic Testing', 'Ultrasonic Testing', 'Infrared Thermography', 'Acoustic Emission Technique' and 'NDT certification and standards'. All the lectures were delivered with illustrious power point presentations depicting examples from respective areas. As many as 38 delegates from ISRO, DRDO, industries and academic institutions participated in the refresher course. The sessions were interactive in nature with delegates seeking clarifications on various issues from the expert faculty. The course was conducted in a systematic and effective manner by the organizing committee comprising of Dr R Ramesh Kumar (Course Director), Shri Ratheesh (Convener), Shri Binu P Thomas and Shri Sekhar Natraj. In the feedback session conducted by Dr Ramesh Kumar, delegates expressed satisfaction over the course material and presentations.

The valedictory function was chaired by Dr. V N Krishnamurthy, Deputy Director (retired), VSSC. Shri Krishnamurthy spoke about the newer techniques coming up in the area of Non-Destructive Testing. He also distributed the participation certificates to all the delegates.

Address by Dr. V N Krishnamurthy, Deputy Director (retired), VSSC in the valedictory function. On the dais; Dr. V R Ravindran and Dr. Rameshkumar, Course Director.

REFRESHER COURSE - 2008

Dr K Radhakrishnan, Director VSSC delivered the inaugural address. He highlighted the contributions of late Padma Shri MR Kurup in the NDT of solid rocket motors for India's first satellite launch vehicle. He asked all the delegates to avail this opportunity to know about various NDT techniques and wished the Course to be successful.

The Refresher course Note was released by Shri George Koshy, Project Director, PSLV, VSSC. He highlighted the importance of NDT in space technology and wished the Programme to be successful

The target for the Course was fifty delegates so that the speakers can have a closer interaction with them. Fifty four delegates attended which included fifty delegates from VSSC, and others from Brahmos Aerospace, Thiruvananthapuram and Steel and Industrial Forgings Ltd, Trichur. The delegates belonged to 25 to 35 age groups.

Delegates from VSSC represented nondestructive testing, quality control and quality assurance agencies from the areas of composites, propellants, rocket motor fabrication etc.

All the speakers were senior engineers and specialists working in their respective fields in nondestructive testing. They were drawn from VSSC and they are ISNT members. There were fourteen speakers in all and most of them are having more than 20 years of experience. The speakers gave their lectures with facts, figures, pictures and video clippings using power point presentation.

A compilation of all the lecture notes prepared by the speakers was distributed to all the delegates. The notes have been prepared keeping in mind the aim to introduce all the NDT techniques with basics, principles, equipments, instrumentation, case studies etc. The course notes were useful as a reference guide during the lectures.

Significance of NDT
Material Processing and Sources of defects
Visual and Liquid Penetrant Techniques
Eddy Current and Magnetic Particle Techniques
Ultrasonics - Instrumentation
Ultrasonics - Applications
Radiography - Equipments and Practices
Advanced radiography Techniques
Optical Techniques
Holography
Acoustic Emission
NDT of Composites
Infrared Thermography
NDT Codes and Standards

The feedback from the delegates was received in three ways.

A format was circulated to all the delegates at the start of the course. It had listed all the topics and the delegates were asked to evaluate the course material, presentation and content. All the feedback forms have been filled and collected from the delegates. Most of the delegates have appreciated all the topics and the speakers.

During valedictory function three delegates came to the dais and gave their views. All of them appreciated the course. It was mentioned that this was an opportunity to learn about a lot of NDT techniques in one sitting. However the time allotted for each lecture was short, which can be increased and the duration of the course could be three days.

Another feedback was that more case studies should be presented to explain the applications.

Some of the delegates were asked about their views during lunch and tea breaks. They were all appreciative of the course. Facility visits can be arranged and tests demonstrated, was another viewpoint.

A valedictory function was organized in which Shri S Selvaraju, Deputy Director VSSC gave the valedictory address. He, being the chief of quality and reliability underlined the importance of NDT in the field of space technology where there is no compromise for quality. All the delegates should take the knowledge imparted to them by the speakers and use it in their career for their and the organization's success.

A participation certificate was distributed to all the delegates by Shri S Selvaraju, Deputy Director, SR, VSSC.