Pipe Checker™
PRODUCTS:
Hi-Lo Closed and Open Gap
Closed Gap Tool
Client Requirement
Every weld is critical to the successful creation of a pipeline. SCRs and other fatigue
sensitive pipes are required, when welded, to have a very small internal mismatch in
geometry - or Hi-Lo gap. Typically the Hi-Lo gap must be less than 0.5 mm.
Measurements taken should be accurate to 0.05 mm. In the past a variety of inaccurate
and poorly repeatable tools have been used that normally require a two step process.
OMS Solution
The tools that OMS have designed and manufactured solve all of the inaccuracy
and poorly repeatable issues of the current schemes. The tools are highly accurate,
repeatable and faster to use. The Open Gap tool (overleaf) has been designed to
measure the internal Hi-Lo of an open gap bevelled pipe joint. The Closed Gap tool
(as above) has been developed for use with automatically welded pipe.
The OMS Hi-Lo tools are part of a family of devices that bring greater accuracy and
repeatability to the important area of Quality Assurance in pipeline welding. The tools
use a standard digital micrometer to measure the Hi-Lo mismatch in one operation.
Benefits to the client:
•
Internal and external Hi-Lo
measured
•
Greater accuracy and
repeatability than alternative
methods
•
Simple to use industry standard
digital gauges
•
Hold button
•
180 degree head rotation for
ease of reading at different
angles
•
Accurate to 0.05mm
•
Traceable measurements
Closed Gap Hi-Lo tool
The Closed Gap Hi-Lo tool is used to measure the Hi-Lo at the bottom of the J prepped
pipes. The measurement is taken in one step that is both accurate and repeatable.
This is especially important to avoid human error (to 0.05mm).
The use of standard digital gauges means that the tool is simple to use and familiar to
inspectors. The calibration/verification stand allows the owner to set and calibrate the
tool before use and thereafter check that the tool is still in calibration. The closed gap
tool comes in two variants: magnetic and non-magnetic versions. The magnetic version
has the benefit that adjustments and reading values can be carried out without holding
the tool. Both devices come with an LED light which ensures that operators can see that
the blade tips are in contact with the bevel in the correct place.
Optical Metrology Services Limited
Optical Metrology Services USA LLC
11 Twyford Business Centre, London Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3YT
17421 Village Green Drive, Houston, TX 77040
Telephone: +44 (0) 1279 656038 • Facsimile: +44 (0) 8700 940014
Telephone: +1 832 230 0152/0153 • Facsimile: +1 832 230 0154
© Optical Metrology Services Ltd. 2010
Pipe Checker™
PRODUCTS:
Hi-Lo Closed and Open Gap
Open Gap Tool
Both devices come with an LED light which ensures that operators can see that the blade
tips are in contact with the bevel in the correct place.
The Open Gap Tool
The Open Gap tool has been designed to replace manually-read Vernier systems that are
not as accurate and are difficult to read. Open gap welds are usually aligned with
external line up clamps so the tool has to fit into a relatively small space.
To operate the tool the user pushes the blades into the gap between the pipes and turns
the blades through 90 degrees. The head is then pulled up and the blades then make
contact on either side of the gap, to measure the Hi-Lo difference. Because the head is
constrained by the plunger slide the system is repeatable, accurate, and not subject to
operator bias.
Optional Extras
Data logging software which takes data directly from the gauge into a computer. This
makes data collection quicker and easier.
Bluetooth versions of these tools are also avaliable, please contact OMS for further details.
For more information regarding OMS, their tools and services contact:
Sales - USA
Sales - Rest of the World
Tel: +1 832 230 0153
Tel: +44 1279 656038
Email: info@omsmeasure.com
Email: info@omsmeasure.com
Pipe Checker™ is a trademark of Optical Metrology Services Ltd.
Website: www.omsmeasure.com • Email: info@omsmeasure.com