TPT March 2017

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I NSPE C T I ON , T E S T I NG & QUA L I T Y CONT R OL
72 MARCH 2017
Non-contact gauge measures length
and speed with high accuracy
NDC Technologies, a global provider
of precision measurement and control
solutions, indicates that its Beta
LaserMike LaserSpeed® non-contact
gauge has helped numerous pipe
and tube manufacturers to accurately
measure the length and speed of
products during production, to avoid
product overages and shortages as well
as reduce product scrap and rework.
“Manufacturers of pipe and tube
require the accurate length and speed
measurements of products,” said Jay
Luis, global marketing communications
manager for NDC Technologies.
“For example, accurate length and
speed measurements control cutting
systems that produce products to exact
production and customer size specifica-
tions.
“Accurate length measurements
also enable manufacturers to properly
position pipe and tubes to mark them
with important product information.
However, many manufacturers still
use mechanical contact encoders to
perform these measurements, not
realising they are getting one per cent
or greater accuracy at best due to
slippage and mechanical issues. Length
discrepancies can directly affect product
quality and create waste, costing the
manufacturer significantly.”
The LaserSpeed non-contact gauge
is a replacement for contact measure-
ment devices. It uses a laser-based
technique that does not contact the
product, to directly measure the length
and speed of moving surfaces with
better than ±0.03 per cent accuracy and
±0.02 per cent repeatability.
LaserSpeed is permanently calibrated
and has no moving parts to wear out.
NDC can provide a complete range
of Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed gauges
in a variety of protective enclosures
to operate in harsh production
environments.
The company also offers a European
certified length measurement system
that meets MID (Measuring Instruments
Directive) 2014/32/EU requirements.
Beta LaserMike (An NDC
Technologies Brand) – USA
Fax: +1 937 233 7284
Email:
Website:
Beta LaserMike
LaserSpeed
non-contact gauge
Pipe deposition scanning technology
secures investment
ROCSOLE Ltd has successfully
completed an additional funding round
that was led by Shell Technology
Ventures (STV).
The Finnish company, with offices in
Kuopio, Finland, and Houston, Texas,
provides electrical and ultrasound
tomographic industrial process moni-
toring systems.
The company’s current products
include a pipe sensor for both topside
and subsea pipes, providing real-time
information on the flow and, in particular,
deposition build-up in a pipe through
probe sensor technology that can be
used in separators when extracting oil
and water.
The additional funding injection from
STV allows Rocsole to expand its
product portfolio with a smart deposition
pig sensor that enables efficient
deposition monitoring of a customer’s
entire pipe network from the inside.
Once the deposition has been located,
a measuring device for monitoring and
identifying deposits from the current
product family may be permanently
installed in the areas discovered
during the inspection. With detailed
information on pipe deposits, operators
can prevent pipe clogging that can lead
to lost production. Efficient deposition
monitoring can also reduce the number
of pigging runs.
“Roscole’s smart pig sensor could
change the way we inspect subsea
pipelines by allowing us to quickly obtain
flow and deposition insights using their
non-invasive and accurate analytics,”
said STV managing director Geert van
de Wouw.
“Their tomographic imaging
techniques mean that measurements
can be conducted from inside the actual
pipe without damaging or disturbing it.
Technology that can reduce down time
and optimise production is critical for
Shell operations, both for on- and off-
shore.”
Rocsole chairman Anssi Lehikoinen
commented, “We are excited to
work with a strategic investor who
understands the business value and
competitive advantage of a tomographic
approach in industrial imaging. STV
recognises the need of preventive
maintenance enabled by accurate pipe
deposition monitoring and identification
that Rocsole offers through its solutions
based on a patented electrical
tomography platform.”
Rocsole Ltd – Finland
Email:
Website:
Shell Technology Ventures –
Netherlands
Website: