TPT July 2015

Technology News

Thread protection in 20 seconds COMPANIES seeking an alternative between tedious manual operations for applying pipe thread protectors and expensive robot automation can now choose a new customised product from Automation Engineering Company LLC. AEC’s automatic thread protector applicator is based on the principles of a mechanical compliant system that can handle a variety of thread protectors, providing precision torque within a 20-second takt time (or less), and can handle pipe from 2.5" (63.5mm) to 13 5 / 8 " (350mm) in diameter. interference occurs when grippers and cradles are changed to accommodate pipe sizes. Changeover to a different size of pipe takes less than ten minutes.

Unlike other systems that currently rely on robots for applying thread protectors on tube and pipe, AEC’s solution requires lower investment and comes with an automated doping system. In addition, an automatic, vision-based inspection system provides assurance that the pipe end is threaded and doping is applied correctly. The inspection process can identify if a pipe has a reject stripe and, therefore, skip the protector application. “It’s a very cost-effective solution that allows pipe mills to reduce pipe- to-pipe cycle times,” Mr Gollent said of AEC’s automatic thread protector applicator. “We continue to take proven technologies and designs and apply them in new and creative ways.” Automation Engineering Company LLC – USA Website: www.teamaec.com

“Pipe ends are not always perfectly perpendicular or aligned, so we’ve designed a system that adjusts to the pipe angle a couple of degrees in any direction,” said AEC president Manfred Gollent. “We use all-electric controls so it moves forward exactly to the pitch of the thread.” Protective caps are fed into the automatic thread protector applicator using a de-palletiser capable of full- height pallets. The de-palletiser loads

with a slim profile pallet jack or forklift. Fully automated, thread protectors are fed row-by-row into a chute ready to be picked up for application. To accommodate different pipe sizes, the thread protector system adjusts vertically during changeovers. The pipe itself never moves. The only manual

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J uly 2015