INDUSTRY NEWS
Lasers contributed to gravity wave detection in more ways than one
M eta Vision
Systems (MVS) is delighted to have contributed to
the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) project in the USA, which recently detected gravity waves predicted in 1916 by Albert Einstein on the basis of his general theory of relativity.
www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/ vacuum
observatories, thousands of kilometres apart, contains a laser interferometer connected to two were produced as spiral-welded, special, high specification spiral A high vacuum within the tubes is critical to interferometer performance, so any weld defects would have been seriously problematic. While a mathematically perfect cylinder will not collapse under pressure, any small imperfection would allow it to buckle. The Montreal provided the mill with laser vision systems to guarantee integrity that guidance of the welding on track.
assembled in Washington State to build the Hanford observatory to Louisiana to build the second observatory in Livingston. engineer who installed the laser vision systems and still works for the company, reported that he
(Above) A typical Meta Vision Systems laser seam tracking welding. (Right) A LIGO spiral- welded beam tube after assembly at Livingston. Photos courtesy of: Caltech/MIT/LIGO Lab.
to Hanford for the start of tube manufacture there.
Meta continues to supply the most advanced laser vision and control systems to spiral pipe mills worldwide.
www.meta-mvs. com
www.internationalmetaltube.com IMT March 2016 5
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