Implementation of DICONDE for the Storage of Ultrasonic Waveform Data: A Core Enabler for NDE 4.0

While Automated and Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is crucial for component quality assurance, its full integration into Industry 4.0 environments remains restricted by several practical challenges. Chief among these is the reliance on proprietary data formats and legacy file-based storage methods, which inhibit interoperability and complicate the utilization of aggregated inspection data (e.g., for AI), thereby presenting hurdles concerning data portability requirements like the EU Data Act.. This paper proposes the adoption of DICONDE (Digital Imaging and Communication for Nondestructive Evaluation) as the necessary vendor-neutral framework to establish a robust digital thread. We detail how DICOM/DICONDE interfaces, including PACS servers and Modality Worklists, effectively manage the inspection workflow from planning through to revision-safe data storage. A significant contribution detailed here is the specific expansion of the DICONDE standard for UT waveform data. This critical extension was developed by the members of the German Society for NDT (DGZfP) working group DICONDE. We report on the technical implementation of this expanded standard and validate its efficacy through real-world experience integrating it into the automated UT systems produced by KARL DEUTSCH.