TPT May 2009

I nspection, M easuring, T esting & M arking

Comprehensive test systems for automotive and OCTG tube

The Varimac ® eddy current comparator and production comparator can be used to check alloy, heat treat or hardness in tube, It can also be used to sort parts such as fasteners, bearings, pistons, strut rods, and similar parts. MAC systems can also incorporate a laser gauge where only the outside diameter of the tube is a concern.

Magnetic Analysis Corp (MAC), USA, provides complex eddy current, flux leakage, and ultrasonic, multitest systems. With over 80 years of experience, MAC’s technology incorporates test methods for magnetic and non-magnetic metal tube, bar, wire, plate and parts during online or offline manufacture. Automotive pipe and parts as well as oil country tubular goods (OCTG) can be inspected using MAC’s exclusive and advanced NDT inspection systems. The company offers eddy current systems to detect short surface, subsurface, OD/ID cracks, and weldline defects, including short transverse discontinuities. MAC also provides ultrasonic systems for material defects such as longitudinal and transverse cracks, inclusions, ID/OD and dimensional changes such as wall thickness, eccentricity and ovality. Flux leakage systems are also available to detect longitudinal and transverse defects on the OD and ID, along with wall defects. MAC has recently installed a large ultrasonic (UT) inspection system at a European tube mill that is designed for an offline test of ERW carbon steel and other automotive tube. This system has an inlet and outlet conveyor for tube handling, together with an automated constant centre triple guide roll bench system.

The ‘Conductor’ control system operates all functions of the line to allow for changes in diameter, end suppression, handling and sorting, plus data acquisition and network accessibility with remote viewing.

This system was custom designed to include 7 channels of Echomac ® FD-4 ultrasonic electronics with a 75mm UT rotary test head to inspect Ø 12.7mm to 76.2mm pipe. Four shear wave channels are included to detect surface and subsurface defects to normal industry specifications such as API. Three compression wave channels are used for delamination detection, and ID/OD diameter and wall thickness measurements.

 A 180mm Echomac ultrasonic inspection system to inspect hot rolled, seamless carbon steel tube using 16 test channels to detect longitudinal and transverse flaws and lamination

For heavy wall magnetic OCTG such as linepipe and casing, MAC’s Rotoflux ® flux leakage inspection system provides precise detection of longitudinal and transverse calibration notches or defects on the OD and ID. These defects might include rolling skins, laps, cracks, laminations, cavities, and defects within the wall, along with drilled holes specified for calibration. The Rotoflux can handle diameters up to 406mm. Several recent OCTG systems installed in Europe and Asia have included MAC’s 220mm Rotoflux transverse and longitudinal flux leakage systems, demagnetizers, and Echomac UT (180mm or 220mm) to detect defects and measure wall thickness. Mechanical handling and feed systems include articulating roll feeds or inlet and outlet conveyors. These are composed of driven V-rolls that feed the tube through a constant centre triple guide bench and transport the tube into accept or reject pockets. Some of the materials being tested include heavy wall, hot rolled, straight or upset pipe and low-alloyed carbon steel, and seamless tube with wall thickness up to 25mm. Automatic markers and a conductor control panel complete the systems. Magnetic Analysis Corporation – USA Fax : +1 914 699 9837

Other MAC ultrasonic systems have recently accommodated material diameter sizes from 6.35mm to 220mm with electronics up to 32 channels in a single chassis. MAC’s eddy current test systems – such as the Multimac ® , Minimac ® , or MAC400 – can inspect automotive pipe for surface, subsur- face, OD/ID cracks, and weldline defects, including short transverse discontinuities.

 The multi test 220mm Echomac ® ultrasonic and Rotoflux ® flux leakage test system is used to detect transverse and longitudinal defects in OCTG tube up to 193.68mm diameter with wall thickness from 4mm to 25mm

Email : jgould@mac-ndt.com Website : www.mac-ndt.com

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M ay 2009

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