Internal Shape Profiler Measures Pipes Internally

A new laser profiler has been produced by Optical Metrology Centre, which measures the internal shape of pipes from 150 to 500 mm diameter, robustly built to operate in industrial environments.

A new laser profiler has been produced by the Optical Metrology Centre, which measures the internal shape of pipes from 150 to 500 mm diameter and is robustly built to operate in typical industrial environments.

Using a spinning laser, it will take 2,000 measurements in 5 seconds for each 360 degree scan.

This information is then sent back to a computer screen for display and analysis.

One of the major uses for the system is the measurement of pipe profiles.

The measurements enable characteristics such as ovality, cracks, cavitation, wear, or corrosion to be measured.

The system is in regular use in the offshor industry.

However, the profiler is likely to have many uses in the measurement of other shapes such as rectangular ducting or moulds and in quality control of key features in manufactured components The system uses Laser optical triangulation to measure to points on the surface 1000 times per second.

Variations in the surface colour from black to white are compensated for dynamically.

The resulting accuracy can exceed 0.2 mm, with small objects being measured more accurately than large ones.

The system incorporates an inclinometer for use with vertical profiles to ensure that the profile is always oriented in the same way regardless of the position of the instrument.

The system comes with either Microsoft WindowsTM software or in a Software Development Kit version using National Instruments "Labview" that allows the user to integrate this system into their own applications.

The basic software allows the user to perform least squares circle fits and automatically computes ovality measures where appropriate.

The resulting information is automatically stored to disk in a sequential manner allowing rapid inspection of pipes or other structures.

The inventor of the laser profiler, Dr Tim Clarke, of the Optical Metrology Centre, said : "We know that many companies need this type of measurement.

The profiler can be adapted to meet the needs of any industry needing fast, accurate information about internal structures.

We are expecting that this tool will be of interest to users in the process industry, production engineering, and the nuclear industry, as well as the current users.

An accurate profile is the key to quality control" A previous winner of the Innovative Metrology (World Class Manufacturing) Award, the prototype also featured on the BBC's Tomorrow's World programme.

Back to top