TPi September 2017

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48 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL September 2017
What is the ultimate challenge faced by
inspection technology in the modern
age? A likely candidate might be the
making of on-line corrections to a
machine imposing multiple and complex
bends in a tube intended for long, hard
use in a hostile environment. Information
supplied to the system would need to
be accurate not only about the bend
points but as to the entire complex
tube contour. The workpiece would at
all times require direct comparison with
a master tube or a CAD model, with
super-sensitive alerts to any area out
of tolerance. Correlation, conformation,
correction: all would be instantaneous
and to standards well beyond the norm
and very little short of absolute ideal. In
fact, to the professionals whose products
and services are reviewed here perfection
is the ultimate aim.
Inspection
technology
Photo: Huntingdon Fu