Mobile Pipe Resurfacing Rack for On-Site Defect Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of metal pipes often results in scrap materials due to failures in inspection, which become increasingly costly to recycle and reintroduce into the production line as the process progresses, especially after coupling, threading, and finishing processes, where resource loss and sunk costs make it difficult to efficiently correct defects and restore these materials to final product standards.
Innovation Solution
A portable pipe station equipped with a gantry, adjustable tool mounts, and a control panel that allows for the rehabilitation of rejected materials up to final product standards, enabling trained teams to travel between facilities and end-user sites to correct defects and apply necessary coatings, thereby reducing resource loss and increasing efficiency in recycling and reintroduction of failed materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pipe materials undergo multiple inspection and processing stages, then manufacturing precision and quality control improve, but resource loss and cost increase significantly when materials fail inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting scrap pipe materials at various stages of production, transporting them to a centralized recycling facility, and processing them back into usable pipe stock. This systematic recovery process converts previously discarded scrap into reusable materials, directly addressing the resource loss problem while maintaining quality control through multiple inspection stages.
2Productivity
If scrap materials are recycled through the furnace and production line, then resource utilization improves, but time and cost increase with each progressive stage of production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by collecting and accumulating scrap materials throughout the production process rather than immediately reprocessing each failed piece. This allows for batch processing at a centralized facility, where scrap from multiple stages is consolidated and processed together, reducing the overall time and cost compared to individual reprocessing at each production stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary recycling facility that acts as a mediator between the production line and the furnace. Scrap materials are transported to this intermediate facility for processing and inspection before being reintroduced to the production line, allowing for efficient batch processing and quality control without disrupting the main production flow.
3Ease of repair
If failed pipe materials are collected and transported to recycling facilities, then resource recovery improves, but device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a portable recycling facility that can be moved between different production sites and finished goods locations. This mobile approach allows the recycling operation to adapt to different locations and production needs, making the system flexible and adaptable rather than fixed and rigid, thereby managing complexity through mobility and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile pipe rack workstation for inspecting and repairing pipe materials, a “Pipe Station.” By folding the pipe station's load/unload arms, removing any tool's from the tool mount and lowering the gantry by retracting the risers; the pipe station is transportable on public roadways without permitting, escorting, or special signage required for oversized loads.