Advances in measuring & marking
N
ovember
2014
89
Inspection, length measurement
and weighing
BRANDT Engineered Products has
provided finishing floor solutions for the
tube and pipe industry for over 30 years.
During that time it has engineered ways
to ensure its equipment produces high
quality pipe, while being robust enough
to withstand the difficult environment
that it operates in.
The company’s Weigh Measure
Mark Stencil (WMMS) provides a quick
and accurate way to help ensure that
customers are receiving material that
adheres to their strict standards. The
WMMS uses a PLC to automatically
move pipe and capture measurements.
It uses a walking beam to transfer pipe
to each station. Each unit has the option
for inspection, length measurement,
weighing, pin stamping, stencilling and
colour banding pipe. Each of the steps is
recorded in a custom data logger, sent to
the customer’s database and available
on screen for instant observation.
Lengths and weights need to be
measured accurately and repeatedly.
Brandt has been able to employ photo
sensors and high-resolution encoders
that can ensure lengths are measured
and recorded within the guidelines of
associations such as API. The weigh
station is able to maintain defined
tolerances over repeated use. Shock
absorbers and load cells are designed
to ensure that the weights are measured
precisely over a wide range of lengths
and diameters, often within ±0.5 per
cent.
Labelling the pipe with a visual
record of specifications and information
observed during testing is accomplished
by stamping, stencilling and colour
banding. Being able to produce a stamp
and stencil that can print the correct
information as well as being visible at the
end of the mill process is a difficult task.
Brandt works closely with customers
to understand the environment and
correctly choose the appropriate inks
and paints.
Stencilling
is
accomplished
with
either a travelling stencil
carriage attached to
an overhead truss,
or by moving the
pipe and keeping the
stencilling equipment
stationary. Stencilling
will brand each pipe
with customer-specified
information such as
length, weight and
any logos that may
be required. Further
solutions can include application of
barcodes for quick and accurate pipe
tracking.
A turning roll is used to turn the pipe
during the application of a colour band.
Paint is supplied to automatic spray guns
via large pressure pots with agitators
to ensure the equipment is usable on
demand. Stamping is another option
that customers can choose to add to the
WMMS.
Brandt Engineered Products Ltd
–
Canada
Fax: +1 306 791 0363
Website:
Measuring coiled tubing
LASERLINC has introduced a new
system for measuring the diameter
and pitch of coiled tubing and other
corrugated or convoluted products.
The measurement system features a
scanning laser micrometer mounted to
a linear actuator.
The entire length of a part is
scanned, ensuring full coverage. Real-
time pitch and enveloping diameter
measurements update on the screen.
Raw dimensional data and/or SPC can
be collected on individual or batches
of springs. A Go/NoGo indicator is
presented at the end of the part, or
during the measurement process.
Key benefits include: measure multiple
springs in one pass; measure and display
in real time both pitch and enveloping
diameter; see dimensions in the units
of measure that you choose; save data
locally or to network; use alarms for out-
of-spec conditions; fast changeover for
different size parts; and measure multiple
part sizes and configurations by storing
parameters and specifications in recipes.
Applications include coiled tubing,
springs, other coiled or convoluted
products, and any product that requires
tilting the micrometer to match pitch
angle.
LaserLinc
manufactures
highly
accurate and highly adaptable non-
contact laser/ultrasonic measurement
systems of OD, ID, wall thickness,
eccentricity, concentricity and more,
for industries including tube, pipe, wire,
cable and fibre.
LaserLinc micrometers interface
with PLC-regulated or other process
control systems via the SmartLinc™
processor, or with any Windows-based
PC via the Ethernet-based NetLinc™
laser micrometer interface or the
PCI-based TLAser400™ micrometer
interface card.
Either PC interface works with Total
Vu™ software – LaserLinc’s operator-
friendly measurement/data processing
package. Total Vu helps provide a real-
time view of your process, enabling you
to identify problems early and facilitate
improvements, with real-time charts,
and graphical cross-section display.
LaserLinc
– USA
Website:
