New girth weld pipeline inspection system
Newly released Weldstar is a complete, automated ultrasonic girth weld inspection system for transmission pipelines.
The company says the system promises gains in productivity and probability of detectionwithout the hazards associated with ionizing radiationwhen compared with traditional film-based radiographic nondestructive testing.
The system incorporates automated tools to set up, conduct, and report a weld inspection. With Weldstar’s ability to size and locate a weld defect, pipeline contractors can implement engineering methods to assess the strength of a weld.
The product uses ultrasonic technology, as opposed to radiography, making inspection possible immediately following the welding process. This provides the operator with near real-time process control, the firm points out.
Source: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, 1100 Technology Park Drive, Billerica, MA 01821.
New 3D laser designed to help offshore operations
This new 3D laser measurement system is designed for use in shipbuilding and offshore platform environments.
The FX scanner is specifically designed to capture data to create as-built digital drawings for existing structures. With a 360° by 270° field of view and data capture rates that can exceed 175,000 points/sec, accurate data can be quickly captured on a project, the firm notes.
The scanner allows users to measure existing conditions quickly and accurately, creating a high-resolution 3D image. Each pixel in the image represents a 3D point in space that can be used for virtual surveying, locating interferences, and connection points or to create 2D and 3D computer-aided drawing shapes for use with AVEVA, Intergraph, Autodesk, Bentley, and other design software systems.
Used in conjunction with this firm’s FX controller software, the scanner offers users a flexible 3D imaging solution by providing the ability to create a low or high-resolution data set. The scanner can be mounted on tripods, brackets, columns, decking, or ceiling joists.
Weighing about 22 lb, the unit allows for easy movement on a project. Using the company’s SceneManager software, users are able to locate and transform the setup locations of the scanner to known positions. The scanner supports flat targets and spheres, depending on the needs of the project.
Source: Trimble Navigation Ltd., 935 Stewart Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
