When you quote a weld inspection job, scanner travel is only one part of the schedule. Your crew also needs time to prepare the surface, configure the equipment, verify the setup, move between welds and review the data.

A useful estimate accounts for the complete workflow. Breaking the job into individual tasks helps you build a more realistic schedule and identify where equipment changes could save time.

This guide provides a simple calculation and a worked example for planning encoded ultrasonic weld inspections.

Start With the Inspection Scope

Before calculating time, confirm:

• The number of welds.
• The scan length for each weld.
• The acquisition passes required.
• The probe arrangement.
• Changes in pipe diameter or weld orientation.
• Surface preparation and access requirements.
• Required equipment checks and reporting.

For a circumferential weld, pipe circumference provides a starting distance:

Circumference = π × outside diameter

Use the actual scanner travel path when estimating time. Include any overlap required by your inspection procedure.

For an axial weld, account for the full required scan extent, including travel beyond the weld ends where applicable.

Count physical acquisition passes separately from the number of probes. If several probes collect the required data during one traversal, you do not automatically need to multiply the travel distance by the probe count.

Calculate Acquisition Time

For welds with the same scan length and pass count, use:

Acquisition time in minutes = (Number of welds × Travel length per pass in millimeters × Passes per weld) ÷ (Scan speed in millimeters per second × 60)

For different weld sizes or scan plans, calculate each group separately and add the results.

This calculation covers the time spent moving while acquiring data. Add return travel, mounting and repositioning separately.

Use a scan speed verified with your actual instrument, probes and acquisition settings. A scanner’s maximum drive speed is a mechanical specification. The usable acquisition speed also depends on the inspection configuration and data requirements.

Account for the Work Around Each Scan

A complete estimate should include the following activities.

Surface Preparation and Access

Allow time for cleaning, removing obstructions and arranging access to the inspection area. Record any site conditions that could affect how quickly the crew can move between welds.

Initial Setup and Verification

Include probe positioning, couplant connections, instrument configuration and the checks required before acquisition.

If the job involves different pipe sizes, probe arrangements or weld orientations, account for additional setup changes.

Scanner Handling

Include mounting and removing the scanner, return travel, moving between welds and changing configurations.

These activities repeat throughout the job. A small difference in handling time can add up across multiple welds.

Additional Checks and Rescans

Include verification checks required by the procedure. Estimate rescan allowances using records from comparable jobs, considering surface conditions, access and coupling challenges.

Analysis and Reporting

Allow time to review the data, evaluate indications and prepare the required documentation. Keep reporting time separate from acquisition so both activities are visible in the estimate.

Worked Example for Twelve Welds

The following values are illustrative planning assumptions. They are not a ScanTech performance claim, a recommended scan speed or a standard time allowance.

Assume the job includes:

• 12 welds.
• 1,500 millimeters of travel per acquisition pass, including planned overlap.
• 2 acquisition passes per weld.
• 25 millimeters per second as the validated acquisition speed.

First, calculate total acquisition travel:

12 × 1,500 × 2 = 36,000 millimeters

Then calculate acquisition time:

36,000 ÷ (25 × 60) = 24 minutes

Assume access and surface preparation are already complete. Add:

• 20 minutes for initial setup and checks.
• 4 minutes per weld for handling and return travel, totaling 48 minutes.
• 20 minutes for analysis and reporting.

The estimated subtotal is:

20 + 24 + 48 + 20 = 112 minutes

That equals 1 hour and 52 minutes, before additional verification checks, rescans or site delays.

Add those allowances based on the inspection procedure and comparable jobs.

Also distinguish elapsed time from labor time. If two technicians work for the full 112 minutes, the job represents 224 labor minutes.

Compare the Complete Workflow When Choosing a Scanner

In this example, acquisition accounts for about 21% of the subtotal.

Even doubling the assumed acquisition speed would save only 12 minutes if every other activity stayed the same. That makes setup, handling and configuration changes useful areas to evaluate during an equipment demo.

Ask the operator to complete the workflow you expect in the field:

• Mount the scanner.
• Position the probes.
• Complete the required setup checks.
• Acquire the data.
• Remove or reposition the scanner.
• Prepare for the next weld.

If your jobs include both circumferential and axial welds, time that configuration change too.

Manual encoded scanners are moved by the operator. Automated scanners use motor-driven travel, which can help maintain a steady speed. The best choice depends on access, inspection requirements and the time each configuration takes over the complete job.

How RADIX Supports Different Weld Inspection Configurations

ScanTech’s RADIX modular weld inspection platform supports manual or automated scanning of circumferential and axial welds.

Tool-free attachments allow technicians to change configurations. Compact driven wheel packs provide automated travel without a separate driving crawler.

When evaluating RADIX for your application, measure setup and handling time alongside acquisition time. This gives you a clearer picture of how the configuration fits your inspection workflow.

Improve Your Estimates With Actual Job Data

After each job, compare estimated and actual time for preparation, setup, acquisition, handling, checks, rescans and reporting.

Record the weld geometry, probe configuration and access conditions. Keep notes on delays and identify whether they were related to equipment, site conditions or the inspection requirements.

Over time, records from comparable jobs give you a stronger basis for quoting than a single assumed production rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher scan speed always shorten the job?

A higher validated scan speed reduces acquisition time when the scan plan stays the same. The overall saving depends on how much of the job is spent acquiring data compared with setup, handling and reporting.

Does using more probes increase inspection time?

Not necessarily. Multiple probes may collect the required data during one traversal. Calculate travel time using the physical acquisition passes required by the scan plan.

Can this calculation determine inspection coverage?

No. Establish coverage and acquisition settings through the applicable inspection procedure first. Use the calculation to estimate the time needed to complete that plan.

Plan a Demo Around Your Application

Your weld geometry, probe arrangement and access requirements all affect scanner selection.

Send ScanTech your pipe dimensions, weld orientation and inspection requirements. We can discuss a RADIX configuration and demonstrate the setup and scanning workflow for your application.

Explore the RADIX Modular Weld Inspection Platform