Mr. Rummel’s contributions to NDI over the past 50 years includes numerous publications (300), lectures, data book and applications. His 35 year career at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) included NDI research, Chief Engineer for the Quality Department and Director of International Procurement. He is best known for his work in the development and application of the Probability of Detection (POD) that is now used throughout the world.

He has been recognized by various honors and awards including the "Fellow Award - March 1976", Robert C. McMaster Award and Gold Medal”, 2002, “Phillip D. Johnson Award (Highest Award Given)” and Gold Medal”, 2008 from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. “John W. Lincoln, Award and Gold Medal” (the only recipient for Nondestructive Testing) by the US Air Force Material Command, 2003. “Honorary Fellow”1999 and “First A.K. Rao Distinguished Memorial Honor” 2006 by the Indian Society for Nondestructive Testing. The “Certificate of Merit and Gold Medal, Presented by the Colorado Engineering Council, 2008. Elected as a Full Member of the “Academia NDT International Council”, 2009.

He introduced and is supporting the development of “NDI ENGINEERING” as a specific specialty for NDI applications. This includes the development of “engineering practices for NDI”, the understanding and integration of material engineering with NDI measurements, improved calibration procedures for NDI, and method of validating multiple NDI measurement variables with materials properties variables for improved capabilities and precision in NDI applications.

Abstract

Nondestructive inspection reliability - History, status and future path

Nondestructive inspection (NDI) has evolved as a essential element in many modern engineering design, production, maintenance and diagnostic processes and technologies. In many application, the performance level (detection capability) and reliability of the NDI procedure is important to the end use of the item being inspected. The smallest flaw detected is of less interested than the largest flaw missed.

In recent years, methods for quantification of the detection capability have been developed. Probability of Detection (POD) has been explored by many NDI engineers and specific assessment procedures have been developed. Indeed, POD has become a topic of interest and focus at most recent NDI forums. The need for quantified NDI and NDI capability / performance data continues to grow.

This paper discusses initial work to establish POD assessment methods, the development and application to various NDE methods, and a projection of future needs and methods to improve and quantify NDI performance capabilities