TPT November 2013

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Technology News
44 November 2013
Easy measuring of 3D tubes
PROdIM International is the manufac-
turer of 2dand3dportablemeasurement
solutions. The Proliner® systems are a
fast and easy way of getting accurate
dimensions in the factory and also on-
site. The latest development, called
Prodim Tube Check, makes it possible
to easily digitise tubes. The Tube Check
is based on the Proliner® principle,
measuring with a hand held probe and
storage of the precise positioning in 3d
XYZ data. The Proliner® is a portable
CMM and the Tube Check software is
able to calculate the precise centreline
of the tube. The tube definition is
available as DXF but also as XYZ and
LRA format.
Digitising an existing part and to
generate tubular data is done very
quickly. The operator is guided during
the complete process. The range of
the Proliner® reaches up to 10 metres,
which means the total measuring length
is 20 metres. In case that might not
be enough, or some parts of the tube
cannot be reached from one measuring
position, the operator can create a leap
where the separately measured parts
are automatically combined into one file.
What makes the Prodim Tube Check
solution unique is the combination of a
measuring device and software into one
machine: it is not necessary to carry an
extra computer around the factory or
measuring location. Communication with
the office is easily done by transferring
the data by USb or LAN connection.
When the bend radius is not familiar or
multiple bends with different radii exist,
it is possible to measure the radius in
the same sequence. The bend radius is
presented on screen where the operator
has the option to use the determined
radius for all bends. Besides measuring
and inspecting tubes, all other product
or project related data is stored digitally
in the Proliner®; all data is now digitally
available.
In production where tubes need to be
checked it is possible to import the tube
master data. by defining the tolerances
of the tangent and intersection points
it is immediately clear if the product
passes or fails the specifications.
The tolerances may be specified and
added to the XYZ and LRA data, which
gives the user the flexibility needed for
digitising and inspecting tubes.
There are different methods of
aligning the measured and master data.
Differences between the inspected tube
and the master data is presented on
screen and exported in a measurement
report. This data is used to change or
modify the tube bender.
The Prodim technology is used in the
engineering, design, production, instal-
lation and quality control departments.
Prodim International BV – Netherlands
Tel: +31 492 579 050
Website:
OEM product development
PSW Consultants has been involved
with OEM projects for almost two
decades. Alongside its own range
of Pipeswizard fit up tools for the
oil and gas pipeline industry, PSW
has been responsible for the design,
enhancement, certification and
manufacture of products for other
large companies in the industry.
PSW has been the manufacturing
forcebehindmanywell-known products
in the industry, including a large portion
of the Mathey Dearman product range.
It has also manufactured parts for
large German automotive companies,
national military projects, and national
petroleum companies.
With 100 per cent of its manu-
facturing facilities based inside the
European Union, PSW maintains a
strict quality control system, bound by
the laws and regulations associated
with manufacturing in the EU. As such,
the risk of quality issues is greatly
reduced.
PSW is also pre-qualified with
numerous large EPC contractors and
national petroleum companies as a
result of its products originating within
the EU.
With a CNC plant, investment
casting foundry, assembly plant,
machine shop and powder coating
shop all operating under PSW, costs
are kept low as almost nothing has to
be outsourced.
PSW Consultants (engineering)
Ltd – UK
Fax: +44 2476 373403
Email:
Website: