CRC-Evans introduces new welding system with laser vision technology
Pipelines International — March 2011
CRC-Evans Automatic Welding has developed a new welding system that incorporates laser vision welding and inspection technology. Designed to reduce the duration of the pipeline welding process while increasing weld quality, the Vision System provides new levels of flexibility in the field.
Components of CRC-Evans’ Vision System include the V Weld, an external welding machine with adaptive weld technology; the V Bevel for bevel inspection at the beveling station; the V Root for root inspection at the welding station; and, the V Purge – a fully automatic purge control system to control and monitor the purge chamber parameters.
All the equipment utilises laser vision technology, which enables real-time tracking at higher speeds; real-time closed loop control; adjustment to travel speed, wire feed speed, and oscillation width to achieve adaptive fill around the pipe; and, inspection and reporting of the bevel and root bead in the critical path for immediate correction.