TPT March 2019

I NSPE C T I ON & T E S T I NG

NDC launches live chat on myNDC service NDC Technologies, a global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, has launched a live chat feature on its myNDC service cloud. The chat system aims to provide immediate support and feedback to customer service requests.

that enables customers to submit service requests in their native language. myNDC aims to offer a seamless customer service agent experience, enablingNDCteammembers toefficiently create tickets, view a customer’s installed base or service history and tap into a comprehensive knowledge base. Customers have access to a database of frequently asked questions, can quickly reach NDC support through several channels and can generate their own return material authorisations for product repairs.

“We’re excited to offer this additional channel of communication to custom- ers. It’s our ongoing commitment to continually improving the customer experience while creating a pull for our services through the myNDC service cloud,” said Mahesh Havildar, VP of global customer service. “Since the launch of myNDC, we’ve been constantly working to enhance system capabilities to broaden our breadth of services and

increase responsiveness. For example, we’re working on new landing page for myNDC, which will further enhance customer engagement.” myNDC’s new live chat feature enables customers to get the answers they need to pressing service support questions or finding the right source to resolve other issues. It also includes a built-in translator

NDC Technologies Inc – USA Email: info@ndc.com Website: www.ndc.com

Ultrasonic rotary test systems UNICORN Automation (NDT) Ltd has supplied ultrasonic test systems around the world for over 25 years. One of its specialities is the ability to perform full- body ultrasonic testing on hot finished OCTG tubes using a contact shoe technique.

tube using a travelling or fixed carriage containing the transducers. The compa- ny states that these techniques are su- perior to rotating water chamber-based systems from a signal repeatability point of view. The disadvantages include relatively slow throughput speed unless numer- ous transducers are employed, and lim- ited tube rotation speeds when testing bent tubes. These techniques can often supply a viable testing solution for very large diameters of pipes where through- put speed is relatively unimportant. The processing electronics and PLC control system supplied as part of the test system incorporates features including automatic calibration routines, and automatic adjustments to assist operation and enable quick size changeovers. Full documentation, including results recording and storage, provides necessary traceability. Unicorn also offers a variety of other automated ultrasonic test systems, including in-line and off-line welded tube test systems; gas cylinder test systems; bar test systems; strip/ plate test systems; and Pi-Scan 360° shear wave inspection to test for every possible angle of defect, rather than just longitudinal, transverse and select oblique angles. Unicorn Automation (NDT) Ltd – UK Fax: +44 1536 268601 Website: www.unicorn-automation.co.uk

Tubes with pronounced hooked ends and poor straightness can be tested using this technique without any compromise to the test. Testing with contact shoes offers repeatability at the fast production speeds required by modern tube mills or third-party inspectors. Unicorn offers various contact shoe rotary heads to test tubes in the diameter range 25 to 508mm, with systems to test larger tubes diameters being available on request. The test head can be equipped with up to 40 transducers carrying out inspection for longitudinal, transverse, oblique and lamination/wall thickness defects. The test systems can cope with off- centre tubes, and the contact shoe raise/lower system allows the free passage of upset ends or threaded tube ends. With a maximum rotation speed of 700 rpm, test speeds of over 60m/min are achievable. An alternative rotary test method to contact shoe is the rotating water chamber. While these heads work well on tubes with a good surface finish and relatively small diameter variations, they have drawbacks when testing

URP350/S rotary probe system

hot-finished seamless tube with poor straightness, ovality, surface scale and upset ends. The main problem with water cham- ber heads when testing hot-finished seamless tubes is the need for relatively large radial guide clearances, which al- low the tube to wander off-centre, lead- ing to large signal variations and incon- sistent test results. It is also impractical to accommodate upset ends by further increasing the ra- dial guide clearances. A further problem can be that scale from the hot-finished product can build up in the water chamber and affect ultrasonic transmission. Unicorn supplies a range of these heads that work well on small-diameter precision tubing and bar. It can also supply automated test sys- tems based on rotating or spiralling a

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MARCH 2019