TPT July 2023

Individualised tube machine and plant control systems

significant contribution towards self learning, intelligent operator-independent machines.

ONLY a good overall package of tube machine, electrical control and tooling enables reliable operation in the long term – a guiding principle that has been applied at Bültmann since the company was founded. Machine control is becoming an increasingly important part of this overall package. It has to meet the increased demands on the machine and system concepts in terms of operability, set-up capability and process monitoring. The modular Bültmann software solutions are standardised in relation to the basic machines and are individually supplemented or enhanced according to the customer’s requirements. Hardware and software are perfectly matched in Bültmann’s in-house electrical department, then commissioned and later supported by the after-sales service. Clear visualisations also enable simple operating designs that make a SOFRATEST, part of the Controle Mesure Systemes Group with Controle Mesure Systemes, designs and manu- factures a range of ultrasonic equipment dedicated to the inspection of ERW and SAW welded pipes and strips. The company offers a specific solution to inspect the inner and outer profiles of the weld called the Scarfing Monitoring System. This equipment is dedicated to ERW pipes. It is designed to be placed right after the welding occurs. Before any inspection, the weld must be cooled with water also used as a couplant. Then the Scarfing Monitoring System checks the weld for conformity and detect any

Bültmann GmbH www.bueltmann.com

Self-learning, intelligent operator independent machines from Bültmann

Scarfing monitoring system for profile inspection of ERW pipes from Sofratest

The equipment is customisable and can be adapted according to the diameter, thickness and length of the tube and the weld. The main features of this application are: cooling liquid of the line that can be used as couplant; scrap reduction tool; high stability allows high inspection speed; adaptability to a large tube range; user-friendly software; high resolution; display of outside and inside profile in real time; and equipment which can operate under very harsh conditions.

openings. Broken, worn, chipped flash cutting tools, or mismatched weld edges are easily detected and alarmed. At the same time, the thickness of the material is measured. Thanks to Sofratest’s powerful and easy-to-use software dedicated to this application, the weld profile control is displayed in real time. Traceability is ensured by the production software that creates customisable inspection reports. If irregularities are detected, they will be immediately highlighted in the inspection report. The system screen is remote to offer a clear, global view of the inspection performed.

Sofratest www.sofratest.com

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JULY 2023