TPT January 2014

10 / 108

Industry News
8 January 2014
New contract for specific
ultrasonic tube control
PROVEA, a French company
that specialises in designing
and manufacturing machines
for tube producers, has
received an order for a new
ultrasonic testing bench.
This new bench will be
designed for a wide range of
stainless steel specific alloy
tubes (from 12 to 50.8mm
OD; 0.4 to 3mm WT; 1 to 6m
length). The main technical
feature of this bench will be
linked with aeronautic and
nuclear quality standards
(NADCAP for example). These
severe standards imply new
developments in terms of
quality control (tube tracking
and sorting, specific software,
tube mechanical guidance and
speed measurement). Provea
will be in charge of the global project.
Mechanical design, manufacturing
and assembly (all mechanical aspects
in general) will be done internally.
One of Provea’s partners, Socomate
International, will develop the acoustic
and electronic solutions.
The machine will use the Roto-
translation technology (helicalmovement
of the tubes) to cover the entire tube
surface. Tubes will be fully immersed
in the ultrasonic tank, and guided by
three different mechanical units (entry,
middle and exit of the tank). Accuracy
of tube positioning compared to sensor
orientation is one of the key points in
this kind of application, especially for the
smaller diameter/smaller wall thickness.
The helical movement will be ensured
by successive orientated pinch rolls,
before and after the tank.
The customer technical specifications
require a reference defect size of:
0.05mm depth x 1.5mm length x 0.05
width. The challenge will also be to
detect defects up to 0.035mm depth
(for critical type of production).
Provea said the numerous trials
organised before the contract
turned out to be very positive
in terms of SNR results. The
ultrasonic bench will control the
defects as well as the tube’s
dimensions (wall thickness and
tube length).
Thanks to these technological
improvements Provea’s new
bench will provide high quality
controls for this very specific
demand: quick settings for a
new production campaign,
on demand software, defect
positioning marking and
online customer marking
(pilgrim steps systems on
the sorting tables for a future
complementary process), fully
integrated water management
system and calibration procedure to be
integrated. As always in the NDT field,
technical developments are necessary
in order to meet the customer’s needs.
This new UT bench will entirely be
mounted and fully tested by Provea by
the end of Spring 2014.
Provea – France
Email:
Website:
Butt-welding fittings approval
ERNE Fittings Middle East (EFME) has
achieved ExxonMobil approval for butt-
welding fittings up to 12". EFME, part
of the Erne Group, is the sole producer
of butt-weld fittings such as elbows
and reducers in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. ExxonMobil is the world’s largest
publicly traded international oil and gas
company, as well as the world’s largest
refiner and marketer of petroleum
products.
Since 1998, the parent company
Erne Fittings GmbH has been listed
on the Exxon Approved Manufacturers
List. By achieving this approval
Erne Fittings Middle East underlines
that it understands the respective
requirements of the industry and is able
to produce according to one of the most
demanding standards in the oil and gas
industry.
Manfred Havrilla, head of sales and
marketing at EFME, commented, “The
world’s most modern production site
with the latest technologies assures
first class quality based on European
standards, produced in Jubail.
Approvals like Saudi Aramco, Qatar
Petroleum or Saudi Electricity Company
certify this. We are happy to add another
important accreditation to our list.
We will take this as further motivation
to exceed expectations in regard of
meeting standards and adhering to
specifications.”
With technological expertise in
moulding, heat treatment and weld-end
preparation, Erne Fittings produces
elbows, tees and reducers for use in
the construction of power stations,
refineries, and oil and gas plants, and in
many other demanding applications.
Erne Fittings Middle East Co Ltd –
Saudi Arabia
Fax: +966 3 340 8197
Email:
Website:
Ultrasonic tube control