Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider specialising in testing, inspection and certification for manufacturers and retailers, has invested in an Innovatest Falcon 507 Hardness Tester for its Derby site.

Supplied by the Bowers Group (www.bowersgroup.co.uk), this will be used to carry out non-destructive testing (NDT) of parts for the aerospace, power generation, rail and structural industries.

Intertek NDT testing technician Leigh Hobson said: “Precise hardness measurement is extremely important to us. T

he standards we work to have specific locations, so positioning is important, and some parts we test are safety-critical, so we need to be absolutely sure of our results. Our laboratory technicians use the Falcon 507 on a daily basis and find it very accurate.”

The hardness tester has enabled Intertek to achieve a faster turnround of samples, and the computer control has resulted in increased accuracy.

The company’s NDT department provides reliable and accurate testing in order to detect defects and irregularities, and to assess safety in equipment and assets.

A common requirement at Intertek is the testing of welded joints to ensure that they meet the hardness requirements quoted in the testing standards.

It also carries out NDT testing on finished components used in the aerospace industry.