TPT November 2008

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November 2008 34
Technology Update
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Tube measuring interface processer gets smaller
Sikora, Germany, has launched the Ecocontrol 600 – its smallest available processor
system that can be especially adapted to individual line conditions for highest productivity
within hose and tube production. This processor follows on from the successful premium
display and control systems Ecocontrol 1000 and 2000.
Ecocontrol 600 offers one serial interface for the connection of a Sikora measuring
devices such as Laser 2000 or LED 8025 XY. In addition, two digital contact measuring
values are used to work with the Lump 2000 detector, reading neckdown and lump.
The measuring values are displayed numerically and graphically on a clear 8.4"-TFT-
monitor. In addition, there are graphical length-related trend diagrams for all values
combined with a graph of the distribution of the single values (statistical distribution
curve). There is also a statistic with the
minimum, maximum value, the mean,
standard deviation, Cp and Cpk values. The
operation is menu-driven via touch-screen.
Hose and tube production requires perfection
of all line components and does not
permit any compromises of the measuring
technology. Consequently, Sikora combines
the Ecocontrol 600 with a Laser 2000 for
the diameter measurement in two or three
measuring planes, or the LED 8025 XY
for the measurement of the diameter and
eccentricity of transparent products.
Ecocontrol 600 is used in combination with Lump 2000 for the detection of neckdowns
and lumps, and fulfils the highest requirements for quality control and helps to
significantly reduce costs. Drive data is easily transferred to a line PC via an ethernet-
interface or a USB flash. A printer provides a hard copy of the production quality.
Sikora AG – Germany
Fax: +49 421 48900-90 • Email: • Website:
 Ecocontrol 600: economic processor system
with strong performance
New phased array scarf monitoring system
 Based on phased array technology, the weld
profile visualization system is used for scarf
monitoring
In operation, the transducer test head
assembly is mounted so that it is directly
above the weld line. The mill coolant acts
as the ultrasonic coupling medium. The
transducer test head then uses its phased
array elements to monitor the inside and
outside diameter of the weld as it is being
cut, at a scanning rate of up to 300 profiles/
sec. Transducers and shoes are available
to monitor tubes from 50mm up to 500mm
in diameter and typical coverage is ±25mm
from the nominal weld centre line.
Inspection data is displayed in a true-
to-scale cross-sectional profile at one or
multiple monitor screens. High and low
limit alarms provide warning of weld profile
deviation. Intelligent dynamic software
averaging techniques minimize the
possibility of false readings.
The weld profile visualization system
features all-electronic setup for ease of
use and repeatability. It can be installed
within feet of the weld station, depending on
local temperature conditions. As a result, it
operates both as a process control system
as well as a quality control system. It can be
combined with a flaw detection system and
it allows inspection traceability through a
built-in data logger, which records minimum
and maximum thickness readings across
the weld area and strip thickness.
GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies
– USA
Fax: +1 978 437 1031
Email:
Website:
or slip, resulting in roughness of the weld
surface.
These surface defects could affect the
subsequent flow of any fluid in the pipe or
could provide a point of weakness. The
scarf monitoring system follows this tool
and identifies any surface faults virtually
immediately so that corrective action can be
taken and minimal pipe length lost.
The heart of the new system is the
ultrasonic phased array transducer, which
electronically simulates the scanning
action required to provide the weld profile
information. The resulting information
is then fed into GE’s field-proven UTxx
digital flaw detection platform. This
incorporates standard or phased array flaw
detection channels and all the associated
processing electronics to give a complete
scarf monitoring and flaw inspection
package.
GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies,
USA, has introduced a weld profile
visualization system using phased array
technology. The new scarf monitoring
system provides a real time, online,
accurate picture of both the inside diameter
(ID) and the outside diameter (OD)
profiles of scarfed ERW pipes during the
manufacturing process.
Due to the capability of monitoring ID and
OD, it is possible to affect real time control
of the scarfing process by identifying events
such as tool drift and edging as they occur.
This can achieve significant reductions in
scrap.
Scarfing is a process used in pipeline
manufacture that moves a smoothing tool
along the weld as it is made. This tool
follows the electric arc welding machine
and smoothes the surface of the weld on
both the ID and OD. The tool may get worn