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I

nspection,

M

easuring,

T

esting &

M

arking

100

M

arch

/A

pril

2007

Now, more than ever, the inspection

process is being included as a part of

production rather than an added service.

The end result is that mills provide pipe

inspected to API (American Petroleum

Institute) or ISO (International Standards

Organization) published standards before

shipping.

These pipe producers are investing

millions of dollars in a variety of inspection

techniques such as UT (ultrasonic testing),

EMI (electromagnetic inspection), and EC

(eddy current). Speed and accuracy are

the important qualifications for the test

equipment.

The

common

element in the three

methods is the

need to calibrate

the

inspection

equipment.

A

requirement in the

calibration process

is nearly always the

use of a calibration

specimen.

Also

referred to as test

blocks, cal blocks,

coupons, and cal

standards,

the

specimen is a

sample of the same

(or near same)

metal as that being

inspected.

The specimen has one or more artificial

flaws introduced into it. These flaws are

as simple as a hole or can be an intricate

series of notches on both the inside

diameter and outside diameter of the pipe.

The specimen can be as small as a few

inches of pipe cut from the production run

to a full length pipe.

The process that meets the requirements

to make the artificial flaws is known as

EDM (electric discharge machining), while

the process is also referred to as metal

erosion.

Scan Systems Corporation (USA) has been

making calibration standards for over 20

years. The company creates the standards

at its Houston, Texas facility with EDM or

conventional machining, and ships material

worldwide.

In addition, the company manufactures and

market the EDM Notch Master used in pipe

mills, the same unit used at its own facility.

Scan Systems

– USA

Fax

: +1 281 219 2317

Email

:

davids@scansystems.com

Website

:

www.scansystems.com

Calibration specimens vital to all inspection processes

fi

A calibration specimen is used in all three main inspection techniques