TPT July 2021

The July Issue Welcome to the latest issue of Tube & Pipe Technology magazine.

July/August 2021 Vol 34 No 4

Artificial intelligence, data, Industry 4.0 and robotics are playing an ever increasing role in tube and pipe production plants around the world – as you can read in the article on page 60 from Quaker Houghton. Even during the 12 years I have worked in the tube industry the speed of the transformation has been astonishing. If anything the pandemic appears to have accelerated this process, with limits placed on the number of human workers in production areas and the now fundamental need for remote monitoring of production and safety. Of course we are still far from tapping into the full potential of these advances both in our industry and in other areas. It is when they eventually work fluidly together that we will see even more giant leaps forward. For example a recent report I read stated that the masses of data collected by the 3,000 satellites in orbit around the Earth has been completely under used so far, due to the incredible workload involved in actually mining this data. Advances in AI will allow us to complete tasks such as keeping track of even minor pipeline or power plant disruptions, which can of course inflict harm on the environment and cause disruption to the economy. AI can help by continuously analysing data from space and supplying gas and oil pipeline operators with information that they can use to instantly contain accidents – and even predict them in the first place. Potential problems can be detected to minimise harmful effects and preventive action can be taken. Rory McBride – Editor in chief

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I hope that you enjoy the magazine.

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

On the cover . . . Thermatool Corp, an Inductotherm Group Company, is a worldwide leader in high frequency solid-state induction welding, delivering solutions with proven performance dedicated to the tube and pipe industry. Our purpose is to lead the tube and pipe market in quality HF welding, cutting, heating, and heat-treating equipment by providing flexible and innovative systems designed to produce superior, cost-effective products for tube and pipe producers. From API to spirally wound fin tube to engineered structural

JULY 2021

VOL 34 NO 4

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sections, Thermatool’s innovations consistently push the limits on design and implementation of HF welded products. These improvements have enabled Thermatool to demonstrate efficiency and high weld quality within the HF welding process. Thermatool Corp is a global supplier with local manufacturing, service and research centres that support its broad customer base. Thermatool is built on the quality of its engineering and the strength of its service. The Inductotherm Group is structured to reach across the globe and to provide localised manufacturing, engineering, service, and support in every region of the world through 40 full-service companies providing 50 individual product lines.