TPT September 2013

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Technology News
54 September 2013
Laser measurement system
monitors quality online
AN immediate quality check directly
after the straightening process has
been completed is important in the steel
industry. Thanks to LAP, the Lüneburg,
Germany-based expert for laser mea-
suring technology, the straightness of
pipes and steel rod can nowbemeasured
contactlessly. The STRAIGHTCHECK
contactless measuring system by LAP
provides pipe and rod manufacturers
with great potential for online quality
assurance – without time consuming
manual measurement.
Many pipe and rod steel manufacturers
are confronted with the same problem
time and again. Does the straightened
pipe satisfy the customer’s quality
standards? Straightness is a significant
criterion. If this is not satisfied, the rod
steel or pipes cannot be sold. LAP has
found a way around this problem with the
STRAIGHTCHECK laser measurement
system. This dispenses with time
consuming and complex checks using a
straight edge.
The LAP solution can be integrated
into the manufacturing process directly.
Existing systems do not need to be
adapted. “The METIS sensors in the
STRAIGHTCHECK system measure the
straightness of steel products,” said
Frank Lohmann, who works in sales
and distribution for the steel industry at
LAP. “During the straightening process
the pipe or rod turns at roughly 400
revolutions per minute on its longitudinal
axis. The only logical solution therefore
was to use our sensors to measure the
straightness. We obtain this information
by means of synchronised real-time
measurement. For this measurement
to be possible online, all sensors must
be fully synchronised when the scan is
in progress. Our STRAIGHTCHECK
software provides data directly after the
first straightening operation whether or
not the product meets specifications.
This also assures the production staff
as it passes into other manufacturing
processes. In general, no changes to
existing production lines are required.”
The laser measuring system can
determine the straightness of extremely
long pipes and rod steel, even for
lengths up to 30m. To do so, the
measuring range, ie the overall length
of the products, is subdivided into one,
two or three metres-long segments.
These are then measured separately to
determine straightness of the piece.
LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen –
Germany
Email:
Website:
Secure solution for tube forming
DEVELOPING new tube forming
technology is often a frustrating process
due to ever more complex requirements
and smaller tolerances. However, the
prototyping department of transfluid
takes care of this problem efficiently. In
the research department, components
and tools up to 45mm pipe diameter
can now be tested. Versatile testing
is carried out on two axial forming
machines, which offer up to 25 tons of
forming force, and on a CNC-operated
rotary forming machine.
transfluid does not just deal with
sampling of new developments for its
own use. Highly precise forming tools
are also employed in various customer
projects. On request, the research
department will test new forming
geometries and efficient future tool
concepts for their quality up to series
maturity.
Modern means of measurement, for
example, a measuring station, which
operates both optically and tactilely,
ensure that components and tools are
exactly measured and the results can
be reliably documented.
transfluid has created the opportunity
for clients to precisely investigate and
improve a pilot series without their
own large machinery. The assessment
can be carried out with high-strength
materials and light construction
components and, according to geometry,
even independent of tools. Thus, the
company offers pilot series or prototype
production at minimum cost.
At EMO (Machine Tool World
Exposition) in Hanover, from 16 to 21
September, transfluid will be discussing
this subject in Hall 4, Stand G25.
transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH –
Germany
Websites:
Tracking the
straightening process