7 Common Problems with NDE X-Ray Services Firms

While every Radiographic Testing (RT) firm is different, there are 7 common issues customers often cite as being problematic. Based on customer feedback and anecdotes scheduling, technician changes, reporting, communication, technician capabilities, production, and invoicing are the most frustrating areas and showroom for improvement.

1. Scheduling

Surprisingly, scheduling is the number one area of dissatisfaction overall. Customers express a lot of frustration about RT service companies not being available when they need their welds shot. This points to the need for more and better-trained technicians overall.

2. Switching a Technician Mid-Job

Switching technicians in the middle of a job causes a cascade of extra work for customers. First and foremost, the production time is lost. A new crew needs to be caught up to speed and basically ends up starting the project all over again, causing major delays. Then, additional time and communication is required to build trust with a new crew. Many customers report that they have lost a crew in the middle of a shift because the crew was pulled for another job, leaving their project in limbo.

3. Reporting

It is a widespread issue that technicians are not adequately trained in filling out examination forms and technique sheets. A general dissatisfaction exists with reporting due to a lack of completion, illegible writing, or technique, as well as exam sheets getting separated and lost. Another issue is that many firms still use manual carbon copies, which are hard to read and not easy to reproduce if misplaced.

4. Communication

Most of the issues with RT firms can be handled through communication. Even scheduling issues or technician swaps can be made less onerous if the customer is made aware ahead of time rather than be caught off guard. Customers report inadequate communication regarding scheduling, staffing, important information from technicians, necessary job changes, and invoicing matters (more on that below).

5. Technician Capability

Overall, there is a lack of confidence that technicians will deliver all of the necessary elements for x-ray film to be to code. Additionally, oftentimes when a technician calls a weld bad or good, they do not have fast and easy access to a Level 3 technician to review and verify. This causes frustration for the customer as it can create time delays and costly mistakes.

6. Production

There are astonishingly low levels of weld production from x-ray crews. The causes of low production vary from weak gamma-ray sources which lead to longer shot times than necessary, inexperienced technicians who mess up shots and require reshoots, technicians being trained on the job, and sometimes general laziness or a lack of urgency.

7. Invoicing

Customers report invoicing to be an issue when dealing with RT firms. Whether it is misplacing invoices, incorrect or surprise charges that show up - such as generators, trucks, and other miscellaneous items - incorrect job/AFE numbers, or being over/under billed, invoicing is something a lot of companies really struggle with.