TPT March 2018

16-20 April 2018

Advanced ultrasonic phased array technique UNICORN Automation (NDT) Ltd has announced a cooperative effort with the phased array equipment manufacturer AOS (Advanced OEM Solutions), in order to demonstrate the application of technology supplied by The Phased Array Company (TPAC) to the testing of round bars at this year’s exhibition. TPAC’s CTUT technology, which is an advanced ultrasonic phased array (PA) technique, is capable of detecting very small reflectors in deep section thicknesses at production speeds. The CTUT exhibition unit, which will be on display at the TPAC stand (G610), will demonstrate the detection of 1mm diameter flat-bottomed holes (FBHs) in steel section thicknesses of up to 200mm, at throughput speeds of around 1m per second. The mechanics and automation required to facilitate this demonstration are designed and manufactured by Unicorn Automation. The demonstration will also show (simultaneously) the detection of 5mm long/0.3mm deep longitudinal notches. The scope of potential applications of CTUT technology goes beyond round bars, and includes any situation in which it is necessary to detect small reflectors equivalent to around a 1mm FBH (or less). These include the testing of tubes, plate, ingots and square or hexagonal bars. Among other products, Unicorn Automation supplies a range of rotary test heads for the ultrasonic inspection of hot- finished seamless or welded tubes using the contact shoe method of testing. These systems are capable of performing inspections for various orientations of defects, including longitudinal, transverse and (discrete) oblique angles at production speeds of up to 1m per second. They also simultaneously perform thickness and lamination inspections. The main advantage of the contact shoe technique is that it minimises variations in ultrasonic angles of incidence, which results in test signal repeatability. Unicorn Automation is able to agree to factory acceptance test criteria that require identical test results for many successive passes of a test standard through a given test head. Unicorn Automation also supplies a range of ultrasonic rotary test heads for the inspection of smaller diameter precision cold-finished tubes. In this situation, it is possible to mount the transducers in a rotating water chamber without compromising the repeatability of test results. One of the small test heads (URP50) will be on display at the Unicorn Automation stand. The full range of NDT systems available include automated EW mill weld line inspection equipment, PI-Scan (a technology for detecting arbitrarily orientated defects in tubes), and automated gas cylinder testing equipment. Unicorn Automation is sharing its stand with TechnoFour. 6D19

Shanghai, 26–29 September 2018 China I www.tubechina.net

The 8 th All China – International Tube & Pipe Industry Trade Fair

Supported by

Unicorn Automation (NDT) Ltd – UK Email: enquiries@unicorn-automation.co.uk Website: www.unicorn-automation.co.uk

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