Most of us get into a car, board a plane, or switch on a piece of industrial equipment without giving a second thought to the safety of the components inside. We trust that every axle, wing, and turbine blade has been built to last and verified to perform. But how are these pieces being tested without destroying the very parts they need to use?
That’s where non-destructive testing (NDT) comes in. Unlike destructive methods that cut, bend, or break a sample to test its strength, NDT allows every component to be inspected without damage. One of the most common approaches is eddy current testing, which uses electromagnetic fields to detect cracks, verify material composition, and measure wall thickness.
Here’s the challenge: different inspection tasks require different test frequencies, probes, or even separate devices altogether. And when the parts being inspected are complex in shape or located in hard-to-reach areas, testing can become even more complicated.
We know how complex inspections can be. That’s why FOERSTER developed the TCM 2.142. It’s a unified mobile platform that combines multiple eddy current testing methods into one system, making inspections faster, more flexible, and more reliable across industries.
If you’re producing axles for vehicles. These components endure constant stress and must perform flawlessly over years of use. To ensure safety, they need to pass multiple inspections. Are there cracks forming under the surface? Is the alloy composition correct? Is the wall thickness sufficient to withstand real-world conditions?
Without a unified system, you’d need at least three separate setups to answer those questions. One for crack detection with rotating probes, another for conductivity measurement, and a third for residual wall thickness checks. Add in sensor arrays for large-area coverage, and suddenly your inspection process requires multiple instruments, extra training, and significant downtime. Every switch between devices adds delays, increases the risk of oversight, cuts into production time, and ultimately results in lost revenue.
With a consolidated system like the TCM 2.142, that complexity disappears. A single technician can move seamlessly between crack detection, conductivity testing, wall thickness measurement, and array-based surface scans — all within the same mobile platform. Even better, the TCM 2.142 enables multi-frequency inspection, allowing you to test at multiple depths in a single pass. Low frequencies penetrate deeper into the material, while high frequencies reveal fine surface cracks. Together, they provide a complete picture of a component’s integrity without adding extra steps.
Results are stored, documented, and shared directly from the device. The entire workflow becomes faster, more reliable, and easier to manage.
The four tests below ensure you are covering every aspect of the part:
The takeaway is simple. A missed crack or flaw can lead to major issues like recalls, forced landings, and safety failures. Instead of juggling multiple devices and complex setups, the TCM 2.142 provides one tool that adapts to the task at hand, ensuring comprehensive inspection without slowing down production.
The strength of the TCM 2.142 lies in its versatility to combine multiple eddy current testing methods into a single, mobile platform. Instead of juggling separate devices, you can carry one tool that adapts to the task at hand, whether you’re checking residual wall thickness, measuring conductivity, or scanning for the smallest cracks.
At the heart of the TCM 2.142 are some of FOERSTER’s trusted products, each designed to solve a specific inspection challenge:
Beyond these modules, the TCM 2.142 includes an extensive range of accessories and features that simplify inspections and expand its versatility:
At the end of the day, non-destructive testing isn’t just about technology — it’s about trust. Manufacturers need confidence that every part has been inspected. Drivers and passengers need confidence that every vehicle on the road is safe to drive.
The TCM 2.142 brings that confidence by unifying crack detection, conductivity measurement, wall thickness checks, and large-area inspections into a single, mobile platform. It provides 100% inspection coverage quickly, reliably, and in even the most complex positions.
Key takeaways to remember:
So next time you get into your car, think about the axles beneath you. Behind each one is a series of rigorous inspections designed to keep you safe. With a unified solution like the TCM 2.142, those inspections are faster, more accurate, and more consistent than ever before. Because safety doesn’t happen by chance — it happens by design.