#automated testing techniques

[yethiconsulting]

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Regression Testing: A Developer’s Guide

Regression testing is a critical part of the software development process, yet it often presents challenges that can hinder its effectiveness. Understanding and avoiding common pitfalls can help developers and QA automation tools create a smoother, more reliable testing process. This guide covers some of the most frequent issues encountered in regression testing and provides practical solutions.

One common pitfall is failing to prioritize test cases. Testing every single feature can be impractical, especially for large applications. Instead, prioritize high-risk and business-critical features that are more likely to be impacted by code changes. Another challenge is relying too heavily on manual testing; incorporating automation for repetitive regression tests can save time and improve accuracy, allowing teams to focus on complex scenarios.

Overlooking test maintenance is another common issue. As software evolves, outdated tests may lead to false positives or negatives, wasting time and resources. Regularly updating and refactoring test cases can help prevent this.

By proactively addressing these and other pitfalls, developers can create a more efficient regression testing strategy that ensures software remains stable and reliable, even as it evolves.

[testinganswers]

Limiting Results with LIMIT and OFFSET

Welcome to another detailed SQL tutorial! Today, we’ll be learning about two important SQL commands, LIMIT and OFFSET, which allows you to control how many rows you get from a database query. This is super useful when working with large datasets and you only want to see a small portion of the results. What is LIMIT? The LIMIT command in SQL helps you limit the number of rows returned by a…

[realjdobypr]

Supercharge Your Content Strategy with AI Technology

Overcoming Challenges in AI Adoption In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a crucial aspect for businesses looking to stay competitive and innovative. However, this adoption is not without its challenges. In this blog section, we will delve into two key challenges faced by organizations in the process of integrating AI into their…

[reasonsforhope]

"Canadian scientists have developed a blood test and portable device that can determine the onset of sepsis faster and more accurately than existing methods.

Published today [May 27, 2025] in Nature Communications, the test is more than 90 per cent accurate at identifying those at high risk of developing sepsis and represents a major milestone in the way doctors will evaluate and treat sepsis.

“Sepsis accounts for roughly 20 per cent of all global deaths,” said lead author Dr. Claudia dos Santos, a critical care physician and scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital. “Our test could be a powerful game changer, allowing physicians to quickly identify and treat patients before they begin to rapidly deteriorate.”

Sepsis is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection, causing the immune system to start attacking one’s own organs and tissues. It can lead to organ failure and death if not treated quickly. Predicting sepsis is difficult: early symptoms are non-specific, and current tests can take up to 18 hours and require specialized labs. This delay before treatment increases the chance of death by nearly eight per cent per hour.

[Note: The up to 18 hour testing window for sepsis is a huge cause of sepsis-related mortality, because septic shock can kill in as little as 12 hours, long before the tests are even done.]

[Analytical] AI helps predict sepsis

Examining blood samples from more than 3,000 hospital patients with suspected sepsis, researchers from UBC and Sepset, a UBC spin-off biotechnology company, used machine learning to identify a six-gene expression signature “Sepset” that predicted sepsis nine times out of 10, and well before a formal diagnosis. With 248 additional blood samples using RT-PCR, (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction), a common hospital laboratory technique, the test was 94 per cent accurate in detecting early-stage sepsis in patients whose condition was about to worsen.

“This demonstrates the immense value of AI in analyzing extremely complex data to identify the important genes for predicting sepsis and writing an algorithm that predicts sepsis risk with high accuracy,” said co-author Dr. Bob Hancock, UBC professor of microbiology and immunology and CEO of Sepset.

Bringing the test to point of care

To bring the test closer to the bedside, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) developed a portable device they called PowerBlade that uses a drop of blood and an automated sequence of steps to efficiently detect sepsis. Tested with 30 patients, the device was 92 per cent accurate in identifying patients at high risk of sepsis and 89 per cent accurate in ruling out those not at risk.

“PowerBlade delivered results in under three hours. Such a device can make treatment possible wherever a patient may be, including in the emergency room or remote health care units,” said Dr. Hancock.

“By combining cutting-edge microfluidic research with interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, biology, and medicine, the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT) enables rapid, portable, and accessible testing solutions,” said co-author Dr. Teodor Veres, of the NRC’s Medical Devices Research Centre and CRAFT co-director. CRAFT, a joint venture between the University of Toronto, Unity Health Toronto and the NRC, accelerates the development of innovative devices that can bring high-quality diagnostics to the point of care.

Dr. Hancock’s team, including UBC research associate and co-author Dr. Evan Haney, has also started commercial development of the Sepset signature. “These tests detect the early warnings of sepsis, allowing physicians to act quickly to treat the patient, rather than waiting until the damage is done,” said Dr. Haney."

-via University of British Columbia, May 27, 2025

[annarcho-nicolesmith]

Silicon Valley's Fish Killing Machine

There's a tech company called "Shinkei Systems" that created an "AI powered fish killing machine" (they're using an automated machine to do ike jime, a traditional Japanese slaughter technique where a fish is killed instantly via a knife to the brain). Here's a picture of their machine:

Isn't that metal box such a great way for a living creature to die? Shinkei systems claims this automated death machine is "more humane" than error prone humans, who of course, sometimes miss the mark when severing a fish's brain from its spinal cord.

If the idea of automated animal slaughter doesn't freak you out enough, take a look at their promotional material where they promise to "eliminate 85% of the workforce" wherever their machine is used.

And just to wrap this story up in a bow, the founder is a guy named Saif Khawaja who retweets a lot about "DNA based IQ testing" and other race-science nonsense:

So yeah....a tech company run by a race obsessed skull-measurer decided the most pressing issue facing the world was not enough cheap sushi-grade salmon. The solution, of course, isn't to allow the ocean's depleted fisheries to regain their natural levels by reducing commercial fishing, it's to make a robot that can kill fish in a fancy Japanese way so people who eat industrialy farmed animals can feel less bad about it. And why not put a bunch of fishermen out of work while you're at it? The solution to our ever alienated world is clearly removing any human contact in the food supply and ceding that role to a machine. Clearly, the faster we can kill animals the better; perhaps we can kill them quickly before any concerns about the rapid destruction of the earth's aquatic ecosystems arise out of our collective haunted consciousness.

[3liza]

after my post yesterday about not sharing viral videos of "dancing dogs" because they're just videos of animals dying slowly of agonizing neurological disease I tried typing "canine distemper" into tumblr search and discovered another one of those weird little heatsinks of tumblr spam. 99% of the posts in the tag/search category (the latter actually, the tag itself doesn't seem to work/is blocked) were spam, mostly 0-note chatGPT rambling with unclear goals either for SEO or for sales. a lot of Indian spam in particular is on Tumblr, as well as either fake or real veterinary clinics posting filler articles about pet topics. none of this stuff gets any engagement and most of it seems to be referral dead ends, eg, it doesn't have any links out that are being clicked by either humans or crawlers, but I find it everywhere.

porn spam is very straightforward by comparison, porn bots are trying to farm leads in the form of live men who reply to them and can be added to databases of live leads, or they want conversions into account signups or sales off-site. sometimes actual adult content creators are doing their own marketing here and again the goals of their advertising is normal, and other times porn ads are malware or social account hijacking bait etc. but the generic marketing slop spam that comes up for terms like "canine distemper" is a little more puzzling.

I think some of these blogs are probably being used inside web templates off Tumblr to just host content elsewhere on the web, but as far as I'm aware thats not really a standard website building technique, most people just use a blog template or WordPress or something. if you go on the Black Hat World forum you'll find plenty of buying and selling of established accounts in good standing on various socials, either through hacked accounts or accounts that have been deliberately created and then farmed over months or years to look as real as possible, but Tumblr accounts aren't really in demand as far as I'm aware

I don't think it's particularly interesting and definitely not sinister, it's likely a case of lost automated processes or some sort of testing of marketing generators that's just using Tumblr as the planting bed.

[l-1-z-a]

🌎 Scaling The Software Development Process: Lessons Learned from The Sims Online

Scaling The Software Development Process: Lessons Learned from The Sims Online. Greg Kearney, Larry Mellon, Darrin West Spring 2003, GDC. Talk Overview. Covers: Software Engineering techniques to help when projects get big Code structure Work processes (for programmers) Testing

The presentation "Scaling The Software Development Process: Lessons Learned from The Sims Online" (GDC 2003) describes the experience of scaling development processes for a large team. Key lessons include simplifying architecture, minimizing module dependencies, and automating testing to improve stability. Main approaches involved transitioning to a client-server model, using temporary solutions ("Incremental Sync," "Null View"), and maintaining the functionality of the mainline at all times. Tools such as auto-tests ("snifftest") and scriptable play sessions helped reduce errors and accelerate integration. Core principles: simplification (KISS), incremental changes, process measurability, and scaffolding to support parallel work. The presentation emphasizes the importance of adapting processes to team scale and continuously improving tools.

[elementramarketing]

Fuel Your Growth with Performance Marketing

Turn clicks into customers with laser-focused strategies and real-time results.

Introduction: Marketing That Delivers, Not Just Promises

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses no longer have the luxury of spending blindly on ads and waiting for miracles. What they need is performance marketing—a results-driven approach that focuses on conversions, not just impressions. It's data-backed, ROI-focused, and scalable, making it the future of modern marketing.

🎯 What is Performance Marketing?

Performance marketing is a digital strategy where advertisers pay only for measurable results—be it clicks, leads, sales, or app installs. Unlike traditional branding methods, performance marketing demands proof. Every campaign is trackable, every rupee spent is accountable.

Key components include:

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising

Affiliate marketing

Social media paid campaigns

Native and display ads

Retargeting & programmatic advertising

💡 Why Businesses Love Performance Marketing

Performance marketing offers powerful benefits for brands across industries:

✅ Cost-Effective – No upfront lump sums; pay only for outcomes ✅ Trackable & Transparent – Live dashboards show real-time performance ✅ Highly Targeted – Reach only your ideal audience with pinpoint accuracy ✅ Scalable – Start small, test, and grow based on results ✅ Optimized for ROI – Every ad is backed by metrics that matter

From startups to big brands, everyone wants results—and this strategy delivers.

📈 Lead Generation: The Lifeline of Sales

No leads = no business. Performance marketing supercharges your sales funnel with high-quality, intent-driven leads across platforms:

Google Search & Display Network

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Ads

LinkedIn for B2B targeting

YouTube & OTT for awareness-based targeting

Landing pages with integrated lead capture forms

By using tools like A/B testing, heatmaps, and behavioral tracking, marketers ensure that visitors convert—not just click.

🔧 Tools & Techniques that Drive Results

The magic lies in optimization. A great campaign uses:

Advanced analytics (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, UTM tracking)

Retargeting to re-engage bounced traffic

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) for better lead quality

Funnel building with precise customer journeys

AI and automation for budget control and ad performance

When campaigns are backed by smart data, results are not left to chance.

🧠 Who Should Use Performance Marketing?

E-commerce brands looking to scale sales

Startups wanting fast market penetration

Service-based businesses aiming for qualified leads

Real estate, education, fintech, and healthcare sectors for niche targeting

Agencies managing multiple client portfolios

🌟 Final Word: Measure More. Waste Less.

Marketing budgets are shrinking, but expectations are growing. Performance marketing strikes the perfect balance by focusing only on what works. It’s not about shouting louder—it’s about reaching smarter.

🔗 Ready to generate real leads and real growth?

Start your performance marketing journey today!

👉 [Click Here] to explore high-ROI digital strategies!

[yethiconsulting]

Benefits of No-Code Automation Testing for Faster, Efficient QA

Introduction to No-Code Automation in QA

Begin by explaining the rise of no-code automation tools, which allow quality assurance teams to create and run automated tests without programming. Highlight how this shift accelerates the testing process and enables non-technical team members to contribute to QA efforts.

Key Benefits of No-Code Automation for QA

Faster Test Creation:

Describe how no code test automation tools, with drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built templates, speed up the creation of test cases, reducing setup time and enabling rapid adaptation to changes.

Reduced Test Maintenance:

Many no-code tools offer self-healing features that adjust tests in response to minor changes in the application, decreasing maintenance time and improving test reliability.

Enhanced Collaboration Across Teams:

With no-code platforms, non-technical stakeholders like product managers and business analysts can actively participate in testing, resulting in a more collaborative QA process.

Lower Entry Barriers and Costs:

Explain how teams without extensive coding expertise can utilize no-code testing, cutting down training costs and making testing accessible to a wider group.

Conclusion

Summarize by underscoring how no-code automation accelerates testing cycles, enhances efficiency, and promotes inclusivity, ultimately enabling QA teams to achieve faster, more reliable results.

[theinsigniaconsultant]

The Insignia Consultant | Best Digital Marketing Agency & Expert Social Media Marketing Services in Nagpur

Driving Growth, Building Brands — Your Digital Success Starts Here! In today’s hyper-competitive digital world, simply having an online presence is not enough. Businesses need strategic digital marketing to attract, engage, and convert customers consistently. If you are searching for the best digital marketing agency in Nagpur, look no further — The Insignia Consultant is your trusted growth partner

We offer a full suite of digital marketing services, with a special focus on expert social media marketing, SEO, Meta Ads, Google Ads, and growth hacks that drive measurable results.

Why Choose The Insignia Consultant? Many agencies promise results, but very few deliver sustainable growth. At The Insignia Consultant, we believe in building systems that convert — not just running ads or chasing vanity metrics.

✅ Proven track record of delivering ROI ✅ Customized strategies based on your business goals ✅ Data-driven campaigns with real-time optimization ✅ Transparent communication and monthly reporting ✅ Strong focus on creative storytelling and brand positioning

Common Challenges Businesses Face Are you struggling with any of these problems?

Low website traffic and poor visibility on Google

Low-quality leads that don’t convert into sales

Inconsistent social media engagement and growth

High ad spend with little return

Lack of clear marketing strategy and tracking

👉 If yes, it’s time to work with an expert team that understands both the art and science of digital marketing.

Our Expert Digital Marketing Services in Nagpur ✅ 🔍 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) On-page & off-page SEO

✅ Local SEO for Google Business Profile

✅ Technical SEO audits

✅ High-quality backlink building

📱 Social Media Marketing (SMM) ✅ Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube marketing

✅ Organic content strategy + Paid ad campaigns

✅ Influencer collaborations

✅ Community building and engagement

🎯 Meta Ads & Google Ads ✅ Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads with conversion-focused funnels

✅ Google Search, Display, YouTube Ads

✅ Retargeting & remarketing campaigns

✅ A/B testing & optimization for lower CPA

✅ 🚀 Growth Hacking & Advanced Strategies Viral content marketing

✅ Automation workflows

✅ AI-powered tools for campaign efficiency

✅Cross-channel marketing strategies

Why SEO-Friendly Blogs Matter To stay ahead of the competition, we continuously publish SEO-friendly blogs on trending topics such as:

✅Latest SEO techniques

✅Meta Ads updates & hacks

✅Google Ads strategies

✅AI in digital marketing

✅Conversion rate optimization (CRO)

✅Building scalable marketing funnels

Internal linking: Each blog is carefully structured to link back to our core services pages (SEO, SMM, PPC), driving higher engagement and organic traffic.

Book a Free Consultation Today 🚀 At The Insignia Consultant, we don’t just market — we build brands and create experiences that inspire action. Whether you’re a startup or an established business in Nagpur, we can help you achieve next-level growth.

👉 Ready to scale your business online? 👉 Want more leads and better ROI?

Book your free consultation learn more about our services!

[testinganswers]

Sorting Data with ORDER BY

Welcome to today’s SQL course! In this post, we’ll learn how to sort data in SQL using the ORDER BY clause. Sorting helps us organize the results of our queries in a way that makes sense, whether we want to arrange data in ascending or descending order. Let’s start by breaking it down: What is ORDER BY? The ORDER BY clause in SQL is used to sort the results of a query. We can order the results…

[raincode-archives]

Chapter 0 Loading Screen Trivia

Note: Currently, I do not know which of these trivia may be general game trivia or Chapter 0 exclusives (if there is any). And there may be trivia I'm currently missing that I will add later on, if I find any more.

World Detective Organization (WDO) An extra-legal, extra-privileged organization devoted to eradicating the world's unsolved mysteries.

WDO Examination Alongside an interview, the WDO assigns a once unsolved mystery they've solved as a test, Those who do not meet the standards for character and ability are not accepted into the organization.

Detective Deed An identification card. These are granted by the World Detective Organization.

Master Detective Among the detectives belonging to the World Detective Organization, this is a detective with a specialized power called Forensic Forte that aids in their investigative activities.

Forensic Forte Those exhibiting innate talent for special powers like clairvoyance or mind-reading are trained by the WDO to develop a supernatural investigative ability called Forensic Forte or simply, Forte.

Amaterasu Corporation Many products are in development, some of which cannot be made public.

Amaterasu Peacekeepers A department of Amaterasu Corporation. They serve as a sort of police force within Kanai Ward.

Special Autonomous Zone of Kanai Ward Though initially a regional city, all of Kanai Ward fell under the control of Amaterasu Corporation as the company developed it.

Amaterasu Express A fully automated, unmanned train developed by Amaterasu Corporation. It boasts excellent amenties and a smooth ride. Kanai Ward is not a typical destination. (No, I didn't make a typo)

Amaterasu Express Direct Built with Amaterasu Corporation's cutting-edge technology, this five-car train operates fully autonomously, without a driver or any crew on board.

Gem of the Dining Car Among the liquors lining the bar is a bottle of vintage whisky, though its exorbitant price has left it untouched.

Door Security Each passenger room on the Amaterasu Express features a door that notifies a security company when an designated key is inserted into the keyhole. Consequently, crimes on the train are rare.

Restroom Urban Legend There is an urban legend about a locked door in the restroom on the express train. Knock on the door in a specific rhythm and a phantom in a black cape will appear to kill any person one desires.

Zange's Cane Used to assist with walking, but doubles as a weapon in emergencies, felling opponents with cane fighting techniques.

Pucci's Coat A treasured small panda appliqué is adorned to a shoulder of Pucci's coat.

Aphex's Boots The boots Aphex wears are fitted with metal plates in many places, like safety shoes.

Melami's Ambition Truth is, she's not a fan of the WDO uniforms and plans to submit a new design proposal in hopes of creating a "Design by Melami" line of uniforms.

Zilch's Belongings Most of his belongings are made of fur, and he always carries a brush and oil for upkeep.

Swank's Grill Swank wears a silver grill engraved with the word "MONEY" on his upper incisors. A grill made of gold is an order.

[reasonsforhope]

"When bloodstream infections set in, fast treatment is crucial — but it can take several days to identify the bacteria responsible. A new, rapid-diagnosis sepsis test could cut down on the wait, reducing testing time from as much as a few days to about 13 hours by cutting out a lengthy blood culturing step, researchers report July 24 [2024] in Nature.

“They are pushing the limits of rapid diagnostics for bloodstream infections,” says Pak Kin Wong, a biomedical engineer at Penn State who was not involved in the research. “They are driving toward a direction that will dramatically improve the clinical management of bloodstream infections and sepsis.”

Sepsis — an immune system overreaction to an infection — is a life-threatening condition that strikes nearly 2 million people per year in the United States, killing more than 250,000 (SN: 5/18/08). The condition can also progress to septic shock, a steep drop in blood pressure that damages the kidneys, lungs, liver and other organs. It can be caused by a broad range of different bacteria, making species identification key for personalized treatment of each patient.

In conventional sepsis testing, the blood collected from the patient must first go through a daylong blood culturing step to grow more bacteria for detection. The sample then goes through a second culture for purification before undergoing testing to find the best treatment. During the two to three days required for testing, patients are placed on broad-spectrum antibiotics — a blunt tool designed to stave off a mystery infection that’s better treated by targeted antibiotics after figuring out the specific bacteria causing the infection.

Nanoengineer Tae Hyun Kim and colleagues found a way around the initial 24-hour blood culture.

The workaround starts by injecting a blood sample with nanoparticles decorated with a peptide designed to bind to a wide range of blood-borne pathogens. Magnets then pull out the nanoparticles, and the bound pathogens come with them. Those bacteria are sent directly to the pure culture. Thanks to this binding and sorting process, the bacteria can grow faster without extraneous components in the sample, like blood cells and the previously given broad-spectrum antibiotics, says Kim, of Seoul National University in South Korea.

Cutting out the initial blood culturing step also relies on a new imaging algorithm, Kim says. To test bacteria’s susceptibility to antibiotics, both are placed in the same environment, and scientists observe if and how the antibiotics stunt the bacteria’s growth or kill them. The team’s image detection algorithm can detect subtler changes than the human eye can. So it can identify the species and antibiotic susceptibility with far fewer bacteria cells than the conventional method, thereby reducing the need for long culture times to produce larger colonies.

Though the new method shows promise, Wong says, any new test carries a risk of false negatives, missing bacteria that are actually present in the bloodstream. That in turn can lead to not treating an active infection, and “undertreatment of bloodstream infection can be fatal,” he says. “While the classical blood culture technique is extremely slow, it is very effective in avoiding false negatives.”

Following their laboratory-based experiments, Kim and colleagues tested their new method clinically, running it in parallel with conventional sepsis testing on 190 hospital patients with suspected infections. The testing obtained a 100 percent match on correct bacterial species identification, the team reports. Though more clinical tests are needed, these accuracy results are encouraging so far, Kim says.

The team is continuing to refine their design in hopes of developing a fully automated sepsis blood test that can quickly produce results, even when hospital laboratories are closed overnight. “We really wanted to commercialize this and really make it happen so that we could make impacts to the patients,” Kim says."

-via Science News, July 24, 2024

[main-et-plume]

omg yaaaay hi!! asks:

🧠💭👀

🥰 thanks for making the question list, it's a fun and novel set! and thanks for sending these! let's see...

4. 🧠 describe a recent fantasy/intrusive thought you’ve had about tickling.

ooh but at what point does it stop being intrusive and become deliberate lol... i think one fantasy that comes up a lot is the idea of my job being to run a research facility with dozens of lees and cycling through each of them as test subjects. plenty of mechanized restraints to lift them into different positions like on tables, suspended from the ceiling, isolating one specific body part, etc, and a fair amount of automated tickling, though i'd have to step in and conduct some hands-on procedures of course. clock out and head home to relax. well, actually now that i think of it, i had some new ideas for techniques to try - overtime again i suppose...

9. 💭 what does your inner monologue sound like when you’re tickling/being tickled?

hmmm... this isn't something i've really thought about before! honestly i usually feel kind of overloaded, basically nonverbal - the feeling of tickling someone and hearing them laugh is that overwhelming. this is probably because all my tickling is in intimate/impassioned situations when i'm already in a fairly primal/instinctive state - i feel like actually doing a session would be a fun chance to take my time with it and think things through, both for myself and for the lee. i tend to be fairly systematic so i imagine it would be sort of stagelike - trying out one area, swapping tools, moving onto another, etc.

12. 👀 describe a recent time you tickled someone/were tickled

it's been a little bit since my last experience since i've been so busy, but i'm happy to report that i actually got to use a hairbrush on my partner's feet for the first time and i almost exploded from how fun it was! we even used a little lotion and it was... very effective...

fun as always - thank you! i think you got asked just about all of the ones on your list but i'll doublecheck just in case~

[standwinspections]

Ensuring Weld Quality: Advanced Ultrasonic Testing Methods  

In the world of welding, ensuring the quality and integrity of welds is crucial. One of the most effective ways to inspect welds is through ultrasonic testing, which uses high-frequency sound waves to detect imperfections. This blog explores advanced ultrasonic testing methods for welding inspection, highlighting their benefits and applications in the UK.  

Introduction to Ultrasonic Testing  

Ultrasonic testing for welding involves high-frequency sound waves to detect flaws in welds. This non-destructive testing (NDT) method effectively identifies internal and surface defects without damaging the material.  

Why Ultrasonic Testing for Welding?  

Accuracy: Provides precise detection of internal flaws.  

Non-Destructive: Does not damage the material being inspected.  

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of materials and thicknesses.  

Advanced Ultrasonic Testing Techniques 

Advanced ultrasonic testing techniques have revolutionised the NDT industry, providing unprecedented levels of accuracy and efficiency. Below are some of the most advanced testing techniques used in the industry:  

1. Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)  

PAUT is an advanced technique that uses different ultrasonic elements and electronic time delays to create a sweeping beam. This method provides a detailed image of the weld, allowing for precise identification of defects.  

Benefits:  

High-resolution and detailed images 

Faster inspection times 

Improved defect characterisation 

2. Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD)  

TOFD is another complex ultrasonic testing method that uses the time taken by sound waves to travel and diffract around defects to detect and size flaws accurately.  

Benefits:  

High accuracy in defect sizing 

Effective for detecting both surface and subsurface defects 

Reduced operator dependency 

3. Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT)  

AUT involves automated systems that perform ultrasonic inspections. This method enhances the consistency and repeatability of inspections, making it ideal for large-scale projects.  

Benefits:  

Consistent and repeatable results 

Increased inspection speed 

Reduced human error 

Applications of Ultrasonic Testing in the UK  

Ultrasonic testing is widely used in the UK across different industries to provide safety and integrity to critical infrastructure. Here are some key applications of ultrasonic testing in the UK. 

1. Oil and Gas Industry  

In the UK, the oil and gas industry rely heavily on ultrasonic testing for welding to ensure the integrity of pipelines and other critical infrastructure. PAUT and TOFD are commonly used to inspect welds in pipelines, ensuring they are free from defects that could lead to failures.  

2. Aerospace Industry  

The aerospace industry requires the highest levels of safety and reliability. Ultrasonic testing methods are used extensively to inspect welds in aircraft components, ensuring they meet strict safety standards.  

3. Construction and Infrastructure  

Ultrasonic testing plays a crucial role in the construction industry, particularly for inspecting welds in bridges, buildings, and other structures.   

Advantages of Advanced Ultrasonic Testing Methods  

Check out the advantages of advanced ultrasonic testing methods over traditional approaches. 

1. Enhanced Accuracy  

Advanced ultrasonic testing methods provide higher accuracy in detecting and sizing defects than traditional methods.  

2. Increased Efficiency  

Automated and advanced techniques like PAUT and AUT significantly reduce inspection times while maintaining high levels of accuracy.   

3. Comprehensive Reporting  

These methods offer detailed and comprehensive reporting, providing clear images and data that can be used for further analysis and decision-making.  

Conclusion 

Adopting advanced ultrasonic testing for welding is essential for industries aiming to maintain high quality and safety standards.  

Investing in these advanced techniques enhances inspection reliability and ensures compliance with stringent safety regulations. By leveraging the benefits of advanced ultrasonic testing, industries can achieve greater efficiency, accuracy, and overall project success.  

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

3D Printing: Saving weight and space at launch

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is regularly used on the ground to quickly produce a variety of devices. Adapting this process for space could let crew members create tools and parts for maintenance and repair of equipment on the spot, rather than trying to bring along every item that might be needed.

The ability to manufacture things in space is especially important in planning for missions to the moon and Mars because additional supplies cannot quickly be sent from Earth and cargo capacity is limited.

Research on the International Space Station is helping to develop the capability to address multiple needs using 3D printing.

Metal 3D Printer, a current investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), tests 3D printing of small metal parts in microgravity. Results could improve understanding of the function, performance, and operations of 3D printing in space with metal, as well as the quality, strength, and characteristics of printed parts. This work also could benefit applications on Earth that use metal, such as the automotive, aeronautical, and maritime industries.

3D Printing in Zero-G sent the first 3D printer, developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redwire (formerly Made in Space), to the space station in 2014. The printer used a process that feeds a continuous thread of plastic through a heated extruder and onto a tray layer by layer to create an object. The investigation produced more than a dozen parts, including a ratchet wrench, showing that researchers could send a design from the ground to the system on the station more than 200 miles above.

Comparing the parts made in space with those made on the ground showed that microgravity had no significant effect on the process.

Redwire then developed the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), sent to the station in 2015. Researchers evaluated its mechanical performance and found improvements in tension strength and flexibility compared to the earlier demonstration, helping to further the technology for this type of manufacturing on Earth and in space.

In 2015 and 2016, Portable On Board 3D Printer tested an automated printer developed by the Italian Space Agency to produce plastic objects in space. The investigation provided insight into how the material behaves in microgravity, which could support development of European additive manufacturing technology for use in space.

Printing with other materials

Another approach is recycling plastic—for example, turning a used 3D-printed wrench into a spoon and creating items from the plastic bags and packing foam needed to send supplies to space. This technology could help reduce the amount of raw material at launch and cut down on the volume of waste that must be disposed of on long journeys.

The Refabricator, a machine created by Tethers Unlimited Inc, tested this approach and successfully manufactured its first object. Some issues occurred in the bonding process, likely caused by microgravity, but assessment of the material could help determine whether there are limits to how many times plastic can be re-used. Ultimately, researchers plan to create a database of parts that can be manufactured using the space station's capabilities.

Redwire Regolith Print (RRP) tested another kind of feedstock for 3D manufacturing in orbit, a simulated version of regolith, the dust present on the surface of the moon and other planetary bodies. Results could lead to development of technology for using regolith to construct habitats and other structures rather than bringing raw materials from Earth.

The space station also has hosted studies of a form of 3D printing called biological printing or bioprinting. This process uses living cells, proteins, and nutrients as raw materials to potentially produce human tissues for treating injury and disease, which could benefit future crews and patients on Earth.

Other manufacturing techniques tested on the orbiting lab include producing optical fibers and growing crystals for synthesizing pharmaceuticals and fabricating semiconductors.

TOP IMAGE: The first metal part 3D printed in space. Credit: ESA

CENTRE IMAGE: NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore holds a ratchet wrench created with the 3D Printing in Zero-G printer. Credit: NASA

LOWER IMAGE: The Redwire Regolith Print facility before launch to the space station. Credit: Redwire Space