TPT May 2010

W elding T echnology

Recommended practice for inspection of weld corrosion ESR Technology has announced that HOIS, its joint industry project concerning improved non-destructive testing in the oil and gas industry, has published a Recommended Practice Guide for the Inspection of Weld Corrosion. This recommended practice document is the result of a research project funded by HOIS to provide the oil and gas industry with guidance on the inspection of weld corrosion where there are currently no international standards or recommended best practices. The document has been produced to present a unified recommended practice for the in-service inspection of weld corrosion in carbon steel components. “The publication of this document provides a recommended practice to oil and gas producing companies and inspection companies on the preferred inspection methods and techniques for a variety of conditions,” said Dr Steve Burch, ESR Technology’s head of inspection technology and HOIS manager. “Increasing our understanding of asset condition leads to improved safety, increased efficiencies and reduced costs”. The document is available to the entire industry and can be obtained by registering and downloading a free copy from the HOIS section of the ESR Technology website: www.esrtechnology.com/hois/publications ESR Technology provides independent technical expertise, products and services to help customers ensure asset integrity, improve reliability, manage safety and risk and transfer best practice. The company was previously the engineering, safety and risk division of AEA Technology, which was formed from the commercial arm of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. ESR Technology also hosts five internationally renowned Centres of Excellence: the National Centre of Tribology, the National Non-Destructive Testing Centre, the European Space Tribology Laboratory, the Pump Centre, and HOIS. ESR Technology Ltd – UK Fax: +44 1925 843500 Email: info@esrtechnology.com Email: steve.burch@esrtechnology.com Website: www.esrtechnology.com

Orbital welding power source with 6 axes and auto-programming

POLYSOUDE’S launch of the P6 300 ampere mobile TIG welding system for tube assembly, using automated orbital welding, opens up new production possibilities for plant construction – technologically, economically and qualitatively. This is made possible by intuitive operation combined with a modular system concept. A large touch-screen provides the human-machine interface. All interactions with the system take place via this interface, which issues all commands to the internal electronics via the software and transmits the status of the joining process to the operator. The P6 has autonomous system configuration and auto-programming, and also features real-time welding data recording for reproducible welding results. The machine not only detects the type of tool connected (such as open or enclosed weld heads), but also knowswithinwhich limit values the tool can work. Auto-programming adjusts the welding parameters down to the last detail. Other features include program control by time or angular degrees calibrated in mm/ min or inch/min; error-diagnostic system; a built-in printer for welding procedure archiving and documentation; Ethernet compatibility; closed loop regulation of torch rotation and wire speed; arc voltage control

(AVC) and torch oscillation control (OSC); torch gas control with safety valve and flow detection; and closed loop water cooling system with safety valve for welding head and torch. Polysoude SAS – France Fax: +33 2 4068 1188 Email: a.husson@polysoude.com Website: www.polysoude.com

P6 power source with CNC control for orbital and mechanised welding

The system features an intuitive touch-screen interface

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M ay 2010

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