AICARM QC

AICARM QC is a specialised module of the AICARM (software for management of structural defects in heavy and mobile equipment). AICARM QC is specifically made for welding inspection management of new assets and equipment. 

Many companies carry out weld quality inspections before purchasing/accepting new assets. There are typically 3 parties involved - the Asset Owner, the OEM, and a 3rd party welding inspector. AICARM QC provides workflows and secure access for all authorised companies and people. 

Typically, the welding inspector would complete the inspection and mark up all items they consider to be non-compliant to the design specification. A PDF report would typically be issued days or even weeks later. AICARM QC captures all observations and precisely maps them to images of the asset based on a FLOC structure. Think of dropping a pin in Google Maps. In this way each defect can be uniquely identified and traced. Inspection data can be shared immediately with authorised parties. A simple visual dashboard makes it easy to review all the data and look at all the inspection pictures. 

It is important to consider that not all defects are equally bad. AICARM QC uses a simple defect severity rating system to make it simpler to determine appropriate actions. For example, undercut that 0.1mm more than the acceptance criteria is is not as bad as undercut that exceeds the acceptance criteria by 1mm.

In reality, not everything that is non-compliant is actually a problem for the engineering design and equipment performance. This is clearly written into all structural standards. It should be up to the OEM to use their engineering and design knowledge to decide what needs to be fixed and what they will warrant, working with their clients to manage risk.  Using AICARM QC, this workflow is easily managed, allowing OEM's to rapidly review the inspection data and flag to repair or warrant any defects identified. 

Using PDF inspection reports, it is almost impossible to identify whether a crack has developed from a warranted defect. AICARM QC precisely records the location of a defect to the asset. Asset Owners can easily track whether in-service cracking has developed from warranted defects if they also use the AICARM app for in-service inspections.