Thread Line Upgrades

A tube and pipe manufacturer was investigating opportunity to improve their post threading inspection process and related pipe handling equipment. Currently, the process involved cleaning metal stringers/chips created from the threading operation before performing the manual thread inspection. The pipe handling was very congested and involved inefficient travel of the value added product. Working with the client, Rockford Engineering Works was engaged to review the existing process and provide the preliminary and conceptual engineering for a new pipe handling system that would integrate robotic positioners for automated thread inspection. A site visit to gather the required information included a survey of the area to develop an accurate as-built model. The improved process was then further developed from this starting point to ensure proper integration with upstream and downstream equipment.