TPT March 2009

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March 2009 30
Technology Update
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Magnetic Analysis Corporation, USA,
has expanded its line of Echomac® rotary
ultrasonic test systems to handle 220mm
diameter tube and pipe, often used for
OCTG applications. Previous models
handled up to 180mm diameter. Rotary
ultrasonic systems have the advantage of
allowing high throughput speeds combined
with full body coverage.
The 220mm Echomac seal-less rotary spins
the UT transducers and water couplant
at speeds up to 850rpm about the tube
as it is fed through the test. The seal-less
MAC introduces 220mm rotary ultrasonic tester
design ensures minimum maintenance,
and the shear wave transducer holders are
designed to allow for easy and accurate
reconfiguration for different diameter tube
through a simple rotational adjustment of
the transducer offset.
The pulser electronics, located on the
rotary, allow for very low noise signal
processing as the transducer pulse and
initial detection is accomplished close to the
transducer. Following this, it goes through
the rotary transformers to the Echomac
FD-4 instrumentation.
 Magnetic Analysis Corp’s Echomac® ultrasonic rotary inspection system designed for 220mm diameter tube.
Pinch stands are used for driving and accurately positioning the tube are on either side of the UT rotary
The 220mm system uses Echomac FD-4
instrumentation with 14 transducer channels
to detect longitudinal, transverse, and
known angle oblique defects, wall thickness,
ID/OD measurement and variations such as
ovality.
Using FD-4’s EchoHunter® software, each
channel can be easily configured for any
combination of thickness, dimensional
measurement, and flaw detection.
Features include simultaneous A-scan
and strip chart display of all channels
showing peak values of signals within each
gate, and full network support for remote
viewing and control. The flicker free A-scan
captures non-repetitive events or flaws
of short duration, even in very high speed
UT scanning systems, typical of rotating
transducer heads.
A recent computer controlled Echomac
220mm UT system shipped to a tube mill in
India includes controls for sorting, marking,
and adjusting the automatic test bench
and all test and mechanical components to
allow for variations in speed. The system for
India also includes Rotoflux® transverse and
longitudinal flux leakage tests that comply
with API standards.
Magnetic Analysis Corporation – USA
Fax: +1 914 699 9837
Email:
Website:
Chinese manufacturer of
ERW/API tube and pipe mills
Shijiazhuang Zhongtai Company is one of
the top manufacturers of ERW/API tube
and pipe tube mills in China. Over the
last decade, the company has focused on
development and innovation in tube making
technology.
In China, the company launched the first
manufacturing unit for special railway steel,
the first production equipment for wide
steel sheet, and the first multi-functional
production line for welded pipe. In addition,
the company has introduced China’s
first ZTF forming production line, the first
production line for direct-forming for square/
rectangle tube, and China’s first API steel
pipe production line.
Last year, Zhongtai signed a large contract
with Hebei Wenfeng Iron & Steel Group,
which involves the provision of a complete
production line for
ERW steel pipe. This
line can produce pipe
of up to 355mm OD
and is used in oil and
gas transport lines.
After installation,
this line will provide
great support to oil
and gas transport
across North China,
where there is a
newly discovered oil field near Bohai Sea.
Zhongtai has exported tube mills to Middle
East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and
Africa.
High-quality equipment, advanced tech-
nology, and perfect after-sales service have
 Shijiazhuang Zhongtai is the manufacturer of ERW/API tube and pipe mills
secured the company a dedicated customer
base.
Shijiazhuang Zhongtai Pipe Technology
Development Co Ltd – China
Fax: +86 311 8595 6358
Email:
Website: