Digital portable magentic particle tester

A method for performing magnetic particle inspection with a digital portable magnetic particle tester (MPT), the method comprising:

• placing a pair of poles of the MPT in contact with a surface of a test object, the MPT further including:
• a yoke body providing a handle;
• a camera mounted to the yoke body between the pair of poles;
• a smart digital processor positioned within the yoke body;
• and
• a digital screen mounted to the yoke body and operable to receive test information in response to user input at the digital screen;
• manually entering the test information into the digital screen of the MPT;
• generating a magnetic field with the pair of poles and thereby magnetizing the surface of the test object;
• obtaining one or more photographs or video of the surface with the camera;
• determining location information of the MPT with the smart digital processor;
• associating the one or more photographs or video of the surface with the test information and the location information with the smart digital processor;
• and
• storing the one or more photographs or video of the surface associated with the test information and the location information in a permanent electronic record with the smart digital processor.

A machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for performing a magnetic particle inspection of a surface of a test object with a digital portable magnetic particle tester (MPT), the computer program comprising a routine of set instructions for causing the MPT to perform the steps of:

• receiving, in response to user interaction with a digital screen mounted to a yoke body of the MPT, test information at the digital screen, the MPT further including:
• a pair of poles extending from the yoke body to contact the surface of the test object;
• a camera mounted to the yoke body between the pair of poles;
• a smart digital processor positioned within the yoke body;
• and
• a handle provided by the yoke body;
• obtaining one or more photographs or video of the surface with the camera;
• determining location information of the MPT with the smart digital processor;
• associating the one or more photographs or video of the surface with the test information and location information with the smart digital process;
• and
• storing the one or more photographs or video of the surface associated with the test information and the location information in a permanent electronic record with the smart digital processor.