Method of making eddy-current probes

In a new method of manufacturing eddy-current probes, particularly such probes for the scanning of a test surface generated by a non-flat profile, a thin, flexible support layer is laid against the test surface so that it conforms exactly thereto. One or more test coils have a sector thereof laid against the back face of the support layer so that the coil sector also conforms to the same profile in the plane of the coil and the profile. A plurality of separate ferrite core elements are now laid inside the loop of the coil, or the loops of the coils, and pressed against the coil so as to form a core that also conforms to the profile to be scanned. The remainder of the coil (or coils) is pressed against the backs of the ferrite elements and the assembly is encapsulated to make it rigid enough for mounting in a test apparatus for scanning over the surface to be tested. The front face of the support layer is the "active" surface of the probe and conforms precisely with the profile, since it was generated thereby.