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DICONDE in Nondestructive Testing: Unlocking the Potential of Standardized Data Management

By Peter Rosiepen, Managing Director at DIMATE. January 27, 2025
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Introduction to DICONDE

In the digital age, there is a growing need for consistent, accurate, and, above all, standardized methods for managing and interpreting the digital data generated by nondestructive testing (NDT) methods. This is where Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE) comes in. DICONDE is a vendor-independent IT standard based on the globally established Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard for patient diagnostics. Designed specifically for the industry, DICONDE standardizes how digital NDT data and reports are stored, transmitted, and managed, regardless of vendor. This standardization is essential for interoperability between systems and increases efficiency in nondestructive testing.

Codes and Standards Specifying DICONDE

The DICOM information technology (IT) standard from the medical field was used by ASTM as a starting point and adapted to the specific requirements of industrial materials testing. The first version of the DICONDE industrial IT standard was introduced in 2004 as ASTM E2339. This universal, vendor-neutral standard has been expanded to include all common destructive and nondestructive testing methods.

In addition, DICONDE is designed to meet the requirements of other relevant NDT and digital imaging standards. For example, some ISO standards and accreditation programs require traceability and auditability of inspection data throughout the documentation process. DICONDE meets these requirements and ensures that inspection records are consistent, secure, and accessible across platforms and systems.

DICONDE fosters a consistent approach to NDT data management, interoperability, and traceability across the industry and is aligned with global digital imaging and NDT standards.

Benefits of Increased DICONDE Adoption in NDT

The adoption of DICONDE offers several advantages that help enhance data management, improve data access, and reduce operational costs in the NDT industry. Key benefits of DICONDE adoption include:

  • Enhanced Data Interoperability: With DICONDE, data generated from different devices and software systems can be easily shared, accessed, and interpreted, as all devices adhere to a standardized format. This interoperability reduces compatibility issues and improves the efficiency of multi-system data workflows.
  • Improved Data Accessibility and Long-Term Storage: DICONDE facilitates the storage of digital images in a format that remains accessible and retrievable over the long term. This is particularly useful for industries that rely on historical inspection data, as it enables a seamless reference to past inspections, enhances predictive maintenance capabilities, and improves historical data tracking.
  • Simplified Compliance and Data Tracking: By standardizing data, DICONDE makes it easier to track inspection history and ensure regulatory compliance. This is especially beneficial in sectors that are subject to frequent audits and strict quality assurance standards, as it allows for transparent and accurate data retrieval.

Beyond these immediate benefits, DICONDE’s standardization also contributes to reduced training times for personnel, as technicians no longer need to learn the intricacies of multiple data systems. Additionally, as more industries adopt DICONDE, there is potential for a universal digital imaging framework to streamline international operations, facilitate cross-border regulatory compliance, and support industry-wide best practices in NDT.

DICONDE and Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) Integration

A major strength of DICONDE is its compatibility with Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), which are widely used in medical diagnostics and are now being rapidly adopted in the industry. PACS facilitates the storage, retrieval, and management of image, signal, and report data and provides a centralized platform for digital NDT data that can be accessed remotely by authorized personnel.

As stated earlier, DICONDE shares its roots with DICOM, the medical imaging standard, enabling seamless image handling and storage in healthcare. Similarly, DICONDE has adapted these principles to meet the specific needs of the NDT industry. This adaptation ensures that DICONDE-enabled PACS can handle compliant NDT modalities such as ultrasonic testing (UT), visual testing (VT), and digital radiography (DR) equipment in a standardized format.

DICONDE-compliant integration of NDT data into a PACS offers significant benefits, including:

  • Structured Data Archiving: NDT data can be archived in a vendor-independent, structured, and audit-compliant manner, providing companies with all digital inspection data in a single data pool.
  • Remote Access: PACS allows secure remote access to inspection data, improving collaboration among engineers, technicians, and decision-makers, especially in geographically dispersed locations.
  • Streamlined Inspection Data Management: DICONDE-enabled PACS streamline the process of organizing, retrieving, and evaluating NDT data, resulting in improved diagnostic accuracy and faster response times.
Figure 1. DICONDE enables the secure and efficient management of NDT data.
Figure 1. DICONDE enables the secure and efficient management of NDT data.

Conclusion

DICONDE represents a powerful advancement in data management for the NDT industry, providing the tools and standards needed to elevate efficiency, reliability, and compliance. By promoting interoperability, enhancing data accessibility, and simplifying compliance, DICONDE enables NDT professionals to unlock the full potential of digital inspection technology.

As more industries recognize the value of standardized data management, adopting DICONDE will increase, providing companies and plant operators with a unified framework for digital NDT data. Widespread adoption of DICONDE is not only desirable but necessary to improve integrity testing significantly as part of industrial transformation. By providing a vendor-neutral IT standard, DICONDE can set new standards for NDT methods and enable safer and more efficient inspection operations worldwide.


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