TWI is one of Europe's largest independent research and technology organisations. Based at Abington near Cambridge since 1946, TWI provides those in industry with technical support in welding, NDT and associated technologies. TWI has over 430 skilled staff and a turnover of 40 million Euros.

Currently TWI is participating in approximately 35 European projects including several Framework V, CSG and CRAFT projects. The work will be carried out by TWI's Structural Integrity Department, which includes a world-leading centre of excellence in NDT called the NDT Technology Section. The NDT Technology Section is a recognised expert in the reliability of radiography and has won several awards in this area. TWI is the UK's leading X-ray inspection facility for research in the development of X-ray inspection methods for castings, with available facilities suitable for an extremely wide range of specimens, from 0.1mm to over 400mm in thickness.

TWI also has over 300 test specimens representing automotive and aerospace castings containing a variety of real defects. TWI will make available these samples for the project. Key TWI personnel involved in the project will be Dr. A. Khalid, BSc, MSc, Ph.D., MBA with over 25 refereed publications in the field of NDT inspection and Dr. Bruce Blakely, PhD will co-ordinate the project. Dr. Blakely is an expert in the field of digital radiography, pattern recognition software and is an experienced project manager of European funded projects.

Reasons for participating
TWI are committed to working with SMEs, other Research organisations and industrial partners on European funded projects in the areas of development of Non Destructive Testing techniques and the Joining of Materials.

Role in the project
TWI will be involved in the following Workpackages at the request of the SMEs: WP-A, writing specifications for weld and casting test specimens including defects; WP-B, development of X-ray generation and detection hardware including customisation of casting manipulator and drive control system; WP-D, development of NDT radiographic techniques for castings e.g. aerospace