What should an inspector ensure about previously inspected parts to validate results?

To validate inspection results, an inspector must ensure that previously inspected parts meet acceptance criteria. Acceptance criteria are specific standards or thresholds that determine whether a part is acceptable based on its condition, integrity, and performance. This ensures that the inspection process is consistent and reliable, as comparing results to established standards helps in making informed decisions regarding the safety and usability of the components.

Meeting acceptance criteria is crucial for the effectiveness of the Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) process. If a previously inspected part does not meet the necessary standards, it could indicate an issue that might compromise the integrity of similar or subsequent parts. By verifying that previously inspected components conform to these criteria, inspectors reinforce the trustworthiness of their current findings and ensure that the overall inspection process remains robust.

As for the other options, while factors like paint or reprocessing can affect inspection outcomes, they do not serve as a primary means of validating previous results in terms of quality and acceptance. Ensuring that parts are from the same batch may pertain to consistency but does not directly address the quality assurance aspect as effectively as the acceptance criteria do.