Ultrasonic inspection of parts

A method for inspection of a part, wherein the method comprises:

• transmitting, by a source, an initial signal towards the part;
• reflecting, off of a surface of the part, at least a portion of the initial signal to generate a surface reflection signal;
• reflecting, off of a back surface of the part, the initial signal to generate a back surface reflection signal;
• receiving, by a receiver, the surface reflection signal and the back surface reflection signal;
• determining, by at least one processor, a shape of the surface of the part by using a magnitude of the surface reflection signal and an echo travel time of the initial signal with respect to the surface reflection signal;
• determining, by the at least one processor, a thickness of the part by using a magnitude of the back surface reflection signal and an echo travel time of the initial signal with respect to the back surface reflection signal;
• determining, by the at least one processor, a full part inspection signal commensurate with the shape of the surface of the part and the thickness of the part;
• and
• transmitting, by the source, the full part inspection signal towards the part for full inspection of the part.

A system for inspection of a part, wherein the system comprises:

• a source to transmit an initial signal towards the part, and to transmit a surface inspection signal towards the part for inspection of a surface of the part,
• wherein at least a portion of the initial signal reflects off of the surface of the part to generate a surface reflection signal;
• a receiver to receive the surface reflection signal;
• and
• at least one processor to determine a shape of the surface of the part by using a magnitude of the surface reflection signal and an echo travel time of the initial signal with respect to the surface reflection signal, and to determine the surface inspection signal, which is commensurate with the shape of the surface of the part.