Nondestructive Testing Management Association, Inc.
FROM 2002 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
February 18 - 20, 2002
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
"Leadership Development & Talent Retention" -William Harvey, Eastman Kodak Co.
The presentation examined your role as a leader, and provided ways to define competencies for growth. Mr. Harvey explored components of a Talent Development system, and made recommendations on Talent Retention strategies. He used many real world experiences and examples to illustrate points in his presentation.
BUSINESS PLANNING SESSION
Bruce Pellegrino – Session Chairman
"Intellectual Property Strategic Planning: Realize Business Objectives through the use of Intellectual Property"
Stephen Driscoll, Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP
Intellectual properties (IP) - what is it and how can you leverage it from a strategic business perspective? This presentation will address these questions. It will describe what IP can do for your business if you integrate it into your strategic planning process. Strategies to help you increase your competitive advantage, enhance your financial performance, and better manage risk will be described and discussed.
"Strategic Planning: A Results Oriented Process"
Denise Harrison, Center for Simplified Strategic Planning
Successful companies do not build their business plans on "luck." Almost every successful business uses a strategic plan of some sort. Formal strategic planning is a results oriented process. This presentation will explain why you should engage in a formal strategic planning process in your company.
It will explain how to do it and what factors to take into account so that you will end up with an effective strategic plan. Finally, it will explain how to implement your plan.
"Creating Liquidity Through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)"
Joseph Marx, Ernst & Young LLP
This presentation will cover the basics of ESOPs. It will explain the benefits as well as some common concerns. It will detail the benefits and offer practical advice for your consideration. Finally, it will explain how you can use an ESOP as a business acquisition vehicle.
NDT MANAGEMENT SESSION I
Bob Thomson & Lloyd Gray – Session Co-Chairmen
"Substance Abuse: A Social Issue or a Workplace Problem?"
Bob Brady, Rockwood Service Corp.
Although we may view the cause of substance abuse as a social issue, we can not ignore the effect it has in the workplace. Substance abuse costs American business billions of dollars every year through rising insurance costs, absenteeism, decreased productivity and accidents. In this session, we will identify some issues to focus on as you consider your approach toward the subject of substance abuse. Additionally, we will discuss some practical steps in setting up substance abuse policies.
"Cost Effective Digital Radiography"
Fred Morro, Fuji NDT Systems
Digital radiography vs. film based radiography – what are the advantages of each from a technical and business perspective. This presentation will lay the groundwork to help you make a business decision, when to invest in a digital radiography system.
"You Can't Fool the Man in the Mirror"
Chuck Hellier, Hellier
Of all the technologies related to structures, systems, components and operating plants, Nondestructive Testing requires practitioners who are above reproach, honest, and above all, understand the meaning and value of integrity. There have been far too many occasions where NDT has been improperly applied through ignorance, willful disregard for the rules, or for financial gain. In addition, over the years, there have been cases of fraud and intentional abuse of the widely used certification program, “SNT-TC-1A”. This is due in part, to the fact that this program is a set of guidelines and provides the employer with wide latitude and flexibility that, at times are misused or applied without an understanding of the intent of certification. This paper will present several actual case histories of individuals and companies where honesty and integrity were cast aside in deference to “doing it right”. It will also disclose the consequences of such inappropriate actions. Above all, it will prove that “you can’t fool the man in the mirror!”
"The Framework of Project Management"
Hussein Sadek, Law Engineering Services
Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations from a project. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service. Operations and projects share many characteristics. They can be performed by people, constrained by limited resources, planned, executed and controlled.
This paper will briefly explain the various processes and activities that are necessary to achieve the required function output of projects. These can be described as: scope management, cost management, and time management; quality management that includes quality assurance from a management side and quality control from the technical side. Human resources management, communication, contract procurement management and risk management are additional processes that are necessary for projects.
NDT MANAGEMENT SESSION II
Billy Wood, Session Chairman
"Taking That Next Step or is it a Leap? - Transitioning Staff from Technician to Manager"
Thomas Passek, ASNT
Contact speaker for abstract.
"Choosing the Right Retirement Plan for Your Company"
Robert Cowan, Cowan Financial Group
Retirement plans are valuable employee benefits, critical for attracting and retaining good employees in today’s marketplace. Many small employers struggle with the complexity of this often-confusing topic. This presentation will demystify this important benefit and shed light on today’s choices in the qualified retirement plan arena for small businesses.
"NDT Applications Used in the Recovery of the USS Hunley, a Civil War Submarine"
Harry Pecorelli IV, Friends of the Hunley
Remote sensing results, NDT methods, digital radiography, three-dimensional positioning and an overview of artifacts recovered will be presented. The Hunley sank the Union Ship U.S.S. Housatonic February 17, 1864, becoming the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy vessel. The Hunley was not seen again until 1995.
REGULATORY SESSION
R.D. "Donny" Dicharry – Session Chairman
"Implications of the Pipeline Safety Act of 2001 for NDT Service Companies"
Scott Lebsack, PetroChem International
The McCain Bill passed the Senate 98/0 in February 2001. This Bill is stalled in the legislative process however the House of Representatives is now studying several separate proposals dealing with Pipeline Safety. The gas pipeline industry believes the US congress will pass a pipeline safety bill in 2002. This legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group of pro-industry House members. Lobbyists said that there is a chance pipeline safety proposals may be considered as part of broader energy legislation now pending.
The delay in the legislation has not held the Office of pipeline safety (OPS) back from issuing a revised version of 49 CFR Part 195 which became effective in March of 2001. This standard is for pipeline integrity management of liquid pipelines while the sister document for gas pipelines (49 CFR Part 192) is expected to be final mid-year 2002. Both Rules (Liquid and Gas) require that operators prepare and follow a comprehensive pipeline integrity management program. Programs for Liquid Operators are to be completed by March 31, 2002.
Integrity Management includes options for using alternative technologies to the current industry standards of In-Line-Inspection (smart pigs) and Hydrostatic testing, however it is incumbent on the operator to demonstrate the ability of these alternative methods to produce commensurate assurance of integrity. DOT has stated that there are 2.2 million miles of pipeline in the United States and that 30% of the total cannot be inspected using In-Line-Inspection unless the lines are reconfigured or tested by hydrostatic testing. Hydrostatic testing is the least desirable method of inspection leaving the field open for alternative inspection technologies to find a niche in the pipeline industry.
Companies offering Nondestructive Examination have a rare opportunity establish a unique and firm position in the industry if they can bring an equivalent and cost effective technology forward to address this need.
"Preparing for an OSHA Inspection"
Al Brown, Associated Builders & Contractors
Contact speaker for abstract
"Radiography Regulations Update"
Chuck Cain, USNRC
As a result of the events of September 11, 2001, the NRC is assessing the need to revise regulations related to industrial radiography in order to further reduce the possibility of theft or diversion of radioactive materials for illicit uses. Although these requirements may not be available for discussion by the date of the meeting, the presentation will summarize agency concerns and actions that should be considered by those who possess, use, and transport radioactive materials.
TECHNICAL SESSION
Doug Johnston – Session Chairman
"Innovations in Through-Coating Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement and Pit Detection
Art Leach, Krautkramer
TopCOAT is a patented (US PAT 6035717) method enhancing ultrasonic wall thickness measurements by eliminating the need to measure coated objects in the echo to echo mode. The technology and measurement technique dramatically improves the ability to obtain measurements of heavy corrosion and yields superior pit detection.
"Intelligent Documentation"
David Hellier, INOVx Solutions
INOVx has developed software that can use existing 3-D models or create new models of existing facilities to integrate with external software programs such as Longview Inspections (DMAPS) inspection program and SAP maintenance program. This allows plant personnel to access all relevant data from an easy to understand single source.
The process of developing this intelligent documentation starts from the 3-D model. If an existing engineering model is available the first phase is to assure it reflects the true “as-is” condition of the facility. In most cases, these models are not available and need to be generated. By employing laser scanning and photogrammetry, an accurate and detailed model can be produced.
"Applications for Infrared Thermography in the Aerospace Industry"
John Snell, Snell Infrared, Inc.
For several decades infrared thermography has been widely used by industry and commerce as a tool for condition-based monitoring of machinery and equipment. Although thermography has also bene used as a nondestructive test method to evaluate composite aerospace materials for many years, its use as a routine test method has been slow to gain widespread acceptance.
Recent advances in thermal NDT methods and acceptance by major aerospace manufacturers and aircraft maintenance contractors are leading the way for its rapid growth as a tool for the manufacturing, maintenance and repair of composite materials.
This presentation provides an overview of thermal nondestructive test methods being used with increased frequency and value in the aerospace industry.
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Thanks to the following companies for sponsoring the 2002 conference.
AEA TECHNOLOGY QSA INC.
A-FAB CO INC.
AGFA NDT
EASTMAN KODAK
FLAWTECH
FUJI NDT SYSTEMS
LONGVIEW INSPECTION
NORTH STAR IMAGING
SULLINS INTERNATIONAL
VENTURE TECHNICAL SALES &SERVICE
XIT SYSTEMS
X-RAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
