MACHINERY | PIPE INSPECTION
Right: The LeakFinder-ST from Echolog- ics pinpoints the location of leaks using acoustic technology
A pressure sensor and ultrasound sensors constantly register the BionicFinWave’s distance to the walls and its depth in the water, which prevents collisions with the tube system. This required Festo to develop compact, waterproof (or water-resistant) components that can be coordinated and regu- lated by appropriate software.
Sound advice Canada-based Echologics says that its proprietary acoustic technologies can find leaks in all types of pipe – including those made from PVC. The company measure time-of-flight of the
sound of a leak using acoustic sensors and a correlation function. The sensors can be placed on a fire hydrant or in specific places on a pipe, for instance – and can accurately measure exactly where a leak occurs by determining the time taken for the sound of the leak to reach two different sensors. The sound it measure travels through the pipe itself – rather than the liquid it is transporting – which means that
Developing a system that could work in PVC pipes was a challenge, because plastic has far higher attenuation and dampening than metal. Also, some old metal systems have been repaired with sections of plastic pipe. Recently, Echologics helped a UK company to identify a leak on a 3in PVC pipe. The LeakFinder- ST correlator identified the precise location of the leak by bracketing it over 420ft (128m). Field technicians accurately correlated the location, which was confirmed by ground-sounding over the main. An excavation team was dispatched to fix the leak – which had a flow rate of 3.5gpm (0.8 m3
/hr).
Combination unit The ability to check pipe quality is also important earlier in the process – at the production stage. Zumbach has developed a combined diameter
Zumbach’s Odac Trio laser diameter gauges combine diameter scanning and flaw detection in a single unit
scanner and flaw detector into a single unit. Its Odac Trio laser diameter gauges boast three measurement axes in a single plane to give comprehensive measurement coverage, peak- precision diameter and ovality measurement, with fast detection of flaws, it says. A combination of fast scan rates and precise
measurement helps to reduce both scrap and production costs, claims the company. Thanks to a compact design, the Odac Trio
measuring heads can be used in many manufactur- ing processes. The devices use laser diodes as light sources combined with powerful processors that facilitate simple and flexible integration. Some of the features of the new gauges include: 9,000 measurements per second; reliable ovality detection; accurate mean value, regardless of the orientation of the product ovality; increased measurement accuracy and reliability; and high dirt and dust tolerance.
It also includes single scan calibration (CSS), single scan monitoring and high data rate output of up to 200 data packages per second – depend- ing on the measuring head model, the number of transmitted measured values and baud rate of the interface. The measuring heads can be used with all line speeds. Vibrations during production have no noticeable influence on measurements, says Zumbach.
Measured approach For its part, Beta LaserMike – part of NDC Technolo- gies – has developed a number of measurement and control systems, which it showcased at NPE earlier this year. For instance, its new LaserSpeed Pro
14 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | October 2018
www.pipeandprofile.com
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