Method and device for the early detection of crack formations in media-carrying workpieces

A method for manufacturing a device for early detection of crack formations in work pieces selected from the group consisting of components, components subjected to mechanical loading, supports, frames, media carrying components subjected to internal pressures, injection-molding tools, inserts of injection-molding tools, valves, components of valves, liquid tanks, gas tanks, gas lines, liquid lines, pressure vessels, lines of power plants, hydraulic components, structure-forming parts, and drive parts for aircraft, vehicles and ships, which comprises the steps of:

• forming at least one testing chamber in a region of at least one surface at risk of cracking of a work piece, the at least one testing chamber formed by a generative process of manufacturing in the work piece or a portion of the work piece and to the testing chamber a testing medium under pressure is admitted;
• providing a sensor selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor for determining a drop in pressure resulting from a crack formation in the work piece being connected to the testing chamber and a gas sensor reacting to the testing medium escaping from the testing chamber in an event of the crack formation being disposed in a vicinity of the testing chamber.