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FEATURE


DRIVES, CONTROLS & MOTORS THE POWER OF ROBOTICS


Offering engineers the ability to inspect pipes remotely, robots can help pinpoint the exact location of potential


faults, making it easier for repair teams to


rectify problems with minimal disruption


such applications. Offering engineers the ability to inspect pipes remotely, these robots can help pinpoint the exact location of potential faults, making it easier for repair teams to rectify problems with minimal disruption to users and in a shorter timeframe. Eventually, such robots could lead to the creation of new and improved bots harbouring both inspection and repair functionalities. To identify weaknesses and potential problems in the pipework, inspection robots host a variety of technology onboard. Most common will be some kind of visual inspection system, such as a camera. A series of motors allow the camera to pan, tilt and focus, helping engineers to obtain a full 360-degree view of the pipe. Positioning sensors help the robot to navigate the bends and changing diameters within the pipe network. Ultrasonic sensors can be added to measure wall thicknesses and identify pipe defects. Other options include adding drives for tool functions, such as the ability to carry sealants to fix small cracks or grinders to remove corrosion.


Around three billion litres of water are lost through water pipe leaks in the UK every day.


Dave Walsha, sales manager at DC motor supplier EMS, explains why micromotors are being designed into the robots used to inspect water pipes for weaknesses and potential problems


B


ack in 2019, The Environmental Agency chief executive, Sir James Bevan, delivered a speech outlining that, in


less than 25 years, many water companies are expecting to reach a critical point, where there is no longer enough water to meet demand. But with the infrastructure ageing,


environmental pressures and climate change, efforts need to be made now to ensure the safety and security of our water supply. Overhauling the entire system at once isn’t


feasible, so ways to reduce the demand is needed. But with a fifth of all water treated lost to leakages, preventing and fixing leaks more quickly must be an area of focus. However, finding tiny cracks in miles and miles of pipework is very difficult, resulting in increased water loss and higher repair costs. The method of detection can also be a


problem. Traditionally, acoustic leak detection equipment was used to detect leaks, but with modern pipes increasingly being made from plastic, taking the same approach isn’t quite as effective, as plastic doesn’t transmit sounds the way that metal does. And where pipe networks are comprised of a combination of both these materials, it can be much harder to accurately pinpoint the location of the leak.


42 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JUNE 2023


DRIVING THE SOLUTION The quality of the drive systems powering the inspection robot are integral to its success. The motors must be robust and able to cope with harsh operating conditions, including temperature extremes, humidity and being partially or fully submerged in water. Response times must be short to ensure that the movement of the robot is coordinated with the operator’s camera feed. The motors must also be capable of providing enough torque to move the robot through dirt or debris on the floor of the pipe, and able to work continuously for extended periods of time. Furthermore, with inspection robots expected to fit in pipes as small as 200mm in diameter, this must all be achieved within a compact space. To meet the demands,


With a fifth of all water treated lost to leakages, preventing and fixing leaks more quickly must be an area of focus


In addition, working in such conditions can be dangerous for operators, and not all pipes are large enough for humans to move through safely. In these situations, the pipe must be exposed through digging. A more preventative approach would allow


potential issues to be identified before they become a major leak.


ROBOTIC INSPECTION Advancements in robotic technology are leading to the development of inspection robots built for


FAULHABER DC- micromotors, supplied in the UK and Ireland exclusively by EMS, have already been successfully implemented into such applications, allowing for remote and thorough inspections of pipes deep underground. As the demands placed on


our water infrastructure grow, it is imperative that operators and manufacturers take the time now to seek out solutions. Using the power of robotics to automate inspections, faults can be spotted much more quickly, keeping workers safe, disruption to a minimum and, most importantly, ensuring safe and secure water services for the country.


EMS


T: 0118 981 7391 www.ems-limited.co.uk


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