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July 2013 71
Technology News
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MDA134G-TUBE1387X260INT-FA.ai 1 5/13/13 12:11 PM
Precise pipe
measurement
IN the steel industry and particularly in pipe manufacturing,
quality and dimensional accuracy are essential.
By integrating in the production line the automated
measurement of all produced pipes using contact-free
measuring systems, dimensional accuracy is significantly
increased, and the process is faster and less complicated
than the manual measurement of production samples.
Robust LAP laser systems have proven themselves for
years in real-world applications. They measure external
diameters and ovality online and immediately identify
flaws. LAP measuring systems help maintain consistent
dimensions, reduce scrap and increase throughput.
Round pipes and rectangular pipes, high-pressure pipes,
water pipes, oil and gas field pipes, boiler and construction
pipes, axle and roller bearing pipes: Depending on the
size and application, they are welded or manufactured
without seams. Many pipes must withstand high pressures
and external and internal forces. Quality and dimensional
accuracy are essential.
The greater the dimensional accuracy of the pipes leaving
the rolling process, the less they have to be refined, there is
less scrap, and production is smoother. The time it takes to
lay long oil and gas pipelines is significantly reduced when
the pipes are dimensionally accurate. “It’s amazing,” notes
Torsten Krüger, sales manager for the metal industry at
LAP, “some manufacturers still use highly imprecise manual
one- and two-point measuring systems. Workers place a
caliper gauge directly on the glowing metal, sometimes
wearing only safety glasses or protecting their face with
their other hand.” This type of manual measurement is
time-consuming, imprecise and very dangerous.
“Modern,” “safe” and “effective” are all words that
describe automated measurement using contact-free LAP
measuring systems. They allow 100 per cent control and
high dimensional accuracy by collecting and evaluating
data from different pipe production stages as well as the
finished pipe. Modern pipe production lines that use LAP
laser measuring systems are able to maintain narrower
tolerances than required by the relevant standards.
For more than 25 years, LAP GmbH has specialised in the
development, production, installation and commissioning
of laser measuring systems for measuring the dimensions
of unfinished and finished products in the metal and steel
industry. LAP supplies solutions for extreme requirements.
Despite the great amount of dust and scale, LAP laser
systems yield highly precise measurements with fast
processing times, including simultaneous measurement of
several different sizes.
The robust RDMS systems by LAP measure the outer
diameter of pipes while they are being rolled. RDMS
measuring systems downstream from modern pipe
reducing rolling mill stands have three measuring axes
offset by 120°.
LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen – Germany
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