TPT September 2011

T echnology U pdate

ERW tube inspection system

manufactures non-destructive testing instruments that are used in industrial and research applications ranging from aerospace, power generation, petrochemical, civil infrastructure and automotive to consumer products. Leading-edge testing technologies include ultrasound, ultrasound phased array, eddy current, eddy current array and X-ray fluorescence. The company’s products include flaw detectors, thickness gauges, in-line systems, automated systems, industrial scanners, pulser-receivers, probes, transducers and various accessories. Olympus NDT is also a distributor of remote visual inspection instruments and high-speed video cameras in the Americas. The company is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, and has sales and service centres in all principal industrial locations worldwide.

OLYMPUS has introduced its latest ultrasonic industrial NDT system: the In-Line ERW Tube Inspection System uses advanced phased array technology to inspect weld seams and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of electrical resistance welded (ERW) tubes. The main advantage of the system is that it performs ERW tube inspections using advanced phased array technology in place of conventional ultrasound technology. Phased array (PA) offers broad sector coverage of the HAZ while maintaining constant amplitude. This solution provides constant amplitude detection within the entire inspection area, even when there is significant weld seam movement relative to the probes. In addition, PA technology permits electronic optimisation of the beam shape in order to enhance the detection of small defects such as penetrators. The ERW Tube Inspection System is capable of inspecting pipes with diameters ranging from 60 to 245mm (2.375" to 9.625") and wall thicknesses from 2 to

16mm (0.079" to 0.63"). The system has a maximum inspection speed of 1.5m/s (295ft/min). The Olympus mechanical solution for ERW tube inspection is based on a small automated bridge (gantry type) that positions the inspection head in-line or off-line when performing inspections, automatic calibrations, calibration checks and maintenance operations. While the system’s main function is to detect longitudinal flaws using a cylindrical phased array probe located on each side of the weld, a third cylindrical phased array probe located on top of the weld and firing at 0 degrees may be used for weld profiling to create a true side view of the weld for simple and fast profile analysis. This third PA probe and a unique patented algorithm based on time-of-flight analysis enables the system to perform automatic detection of the scarfing area and send feedback to the PLC for automatic adjustment of the position of each inspection head. Olympus NDT

Olympus NDT – USA Fax: +1 781 419 3980 Website: www.olympus-ims.com

Unispeed range ACCURATE pre-assembly of the fitting cutting ring and the 37° flaring of the steel tube is paramount to the safety of any system using DIN 2353 and SAE J 514 fittings joints. Incorrect assembly of the cutting ring and inaccurate flaring of the tube might jeopardise the system and, in extreme cases, cause injury to property and persons. To avoid this, Italian company OP proposes various Unispeed series models. The new Unispeed USFL

24/37 allows preassembling DIN 2353 rings and 37° flaring of hydraulic tubes up to 42mm diameter and a maximum thickness of 4mm. The machine is equipped with a double working level: an upper level for bends up to 180° and a lower one for standard tubes. The electronic control ensures enhanced performance and makes the Unispeed USFL 24/37 ES particularly suitable for volume production. OP Srl – Italy Email: sales@op-srl.it Website: www.op-srl.it

The new Unispeed USFL 24/37 ES

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S eptember 2011

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