OKO-NDT — SONOCON-B Portable Ultrasonic Flaw Detector

UT Basic Version | Complete Field Kit with AccessoriesSKU: SONOCON-BUT

Overview

The OKO-NDT SONOCON-B is a next-generation portable ultrasonic flaw detector (UT) that combines the functionality of three instruments in one compact, lightweight, and field-ready package — a full-featured ultrasonic flaw detector, an A-Scan thickness gauge, and a corrosion monitor. Engineered by OKOndt GROUP, a company with over 30 years of experience in designing and manufacturing NDT equipment for industrial customers worldwide, the SONOCON-B represents the current state of the art in handheld ultrasonic testing technology.

This listing is for the SONOCON-B in the UT Basic (UT) software version — the configuration that unlocks the instrument's full suite of ultrasonic flaw detection capabilities for defect search, characterization, sizing, and advanced evaluation. Supplied as a complete field kit including straight beam and angle beam probes, connection cable, Mascot Type 2542 charger, hand strap, carrying case, battery unit, PC software, full documentation set in English, and a calibration certificate for the UT probe — the SONOCON-B UT Basic kit is ready to deploy immediately, straight out of the box.

What's Included

Box Dimensions & Shipping Weight (Estimated)

Key Instrument Specifications

3 Instruments in 1 — UT, Thickness Gauge & Corrosion Monitor

The SONOCON-B's most distinctive capability is its software-switchable multi-instrument architecture. A single physical unit covers three distinct inspection functions:

• Flaw Detector (UT — this configuration) — full A-Scan display, dual gate measurement, DAC/DGS/AWS evaluation, angle beam weld inspection, and all standard UT flaw detection functions required for weld and material testing
• A-Scan Thickness Gauge — precision wall thickness measurement with A-Scan display for confident reading verification
• Corrosion Monitor — corrosion mapping and wall thickness survey capability for pipelines, vessels, and structural assessments

The UT Basic version activates the flaw detection software — the most powerful and versatile configuration of the SONOCON-B platform.

Performance Features

Dual Mode Pulser The SONOCON-B supports both Spike Wave and Square Wave (SWP) pulser modes, combined with an adjustable damping feature — giving the operator precise control over echo shape, length, and amplitude across a wide range to optimize performance for any probe type or material.

A-Scan Averaging The built-in A-Scan averaging function permits averaging from ×2 to ×64 — dramatically raising the Signal/Noise ratio and enabling reliable measurements at very high gain settings where other instruments would struggle.

Advanced Gate Control Two independent measurement gates provide simultaneous monitoring of multiple depth zones. A single button press gives the operator intuitive, direct control of A-Scan display and gate parameters through the QAM (Quick Access Menu) circular menu system.

Legs Marking Mode A unique visual aid that color-codes the A-Scan background — downgoing legs in yellow, upgoing legs in pink — helping the operator instantly estimate reflector depth for any detected indication without manual calculation.

DAC / DGS / AWS Evaluation The SONOCON-B supports full DAC curve construction (up to 128 base points, 6 additional curves) across all major international codes, complete DGS sizing with direct equivalent defect area readout, and automated AWS D1.1 / D1.3 D-rating calculation — covering the full range of evaluation requirements for weld and structural inspection.

Probe Library A comprehensive built-in probe library allows operators to select their probe from the list and have all related settings loaded automatically — eliminating manual parameter entry errors and accelerating inspection setup time.

User-Friendly Interface

The SONOCON-B's design philosophy is simple: "Don't browse menus, just push a button." All the most frequently used functions are placed directly on the physical keyboard and accessible in one or two button presses — making setup and evaluation procedures significantly faster than menu-heavy competing instruments.

Three additional features help new users get up to speed quickly:

• Context backlight — in modes where a group of buttons is expected to be used, all relevant buttons are highlighted simultaneously, guiding the operator intuitively through the workflow
• Menu item hints — all non-obvious menu items display a description when activated, eliminating the need to consult the manual for routine operations
• Menu presets — three selectable menu configurations (Full, Simple1, Simple2) allow experienced operators to access the complete function set or new users to work with a simplified, single-page interface

Built for Harsh Field Environments

• IP65 rated — fully protected against dust ingress and water jets in all directions
• Sunlight-readable display — high-contrast color LCD remains clearly readable in direct sunlight without shading
• -30°C to +50°C operating range — reliable performance from arctic cold to hot desert environments
• Ionizing radiation resistant — suitable for use in nuclear and radiation-rich inspection environments
• Single-hand operation — ergonomic form factor with hand strap allows comfortable one-handed use at height, in confined spaces, or in any orientation
• Left- and right-hand compatible — ambidextrous design accommodates all operators

PC Software — Data Management & Reporting

The included PC software package corresponds to the UT version of the SONOCON-B's internal software and provides:

• Organization and management of instrument setups and inspection configurations
• Storage, retrieval, and review of inspection results and A-Scan data
• Advanced analysis and measurement of saved waveforms
• Report generation for quality documentation and code compliance
• Upload of new setups and configurations to the instrument

Compliance & Standards

The SONOCON-B UT Basic version supports inspection to the following codes and standards:

• ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code — Section V (Ultrasonic Testing)
• AWS D1.1 / D1.3 — Structural Welding Code — automated D-rating calculation
• EN 1712 / 1713 / 1714 — Ultrasonic testing of welded joints
• JIS Z3060 — Japanese UT weld inspection standard
• GB 11345 / GB 4730 — Chinese UT standards
• ASTM E164 — UT of weldments
• ASTM E317 — Performance measurement of pulse-echo UT equipment

Ideal Applications

• Weld inspection (butt welds, fillet welds, nozzle welds) using angle beam probes
• Material flaw detection — forgings, castings, plates, bars, and pipes
• Thickness gauging and corrosion mapping of pipelines, vessels, and structural components
• In-service inspection of pressure equipment, storage tanks, and structural steel
• Aerospace component inspection — landing gear, wheels, engine components
• Railroad — welded joint testing, wheelset inspection
• Oil & gas — pipeline and platform structure inspection
• Power generation — turbine blade gauging, pressure vessel and piping weld inspection
• Any portable UT application requiring the full range of flaw detection, sizing, and evaluation capability

About OKOndt GROUP

OKOndt GROUP is an internationally recognized group of companies with over 30 years of experience in researching, developing, and manufacturing non-destructive testing equipment for industrial customers worldwide. From portable flaw detectors and thickness gauges to multi-channel automated inspection systems, OKOndt GROUP's products are trusted by NDT professionals across aerospace, oil and gas, railroad, metallurgy, power generation, and heavy industry in markets around the globe.