Abstract: An imaging system for non-destructively imaging the cross-section of a workpiece is taught. The image provided portrays the cross-section of the workpiece taken orthogonal to the surface of the workpiece along an operator selected course on the surface. The imaging system comprises: a scanner means for transmitting and receiving acoustical signals and for providing distance increment signals; a transmit and receive control means responsive to each distance increment signal for providing an acoustical drive signal and a column clock signal set. A sampling means is provided that is responsive to the column clock signal set for converting each the echo signal into a corresponding column series of digital values, each value characterizing the amplitude of the echo signal at time corresponding to a respective column clock signal within the echo interval. A storage means is provided for storing each column series of digital values as successive column arrays to form an image array of digital values.