Thread Element Measurement on Pipe Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic measurement techniques for thread elements on OCTG pipes face challenges due to lubricant residue and cutting chips, leading to decreased measurement precision, making 100% on-line measurement difficult.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a cleaning step using organic solvents or dry ice with compressed air to remove lubricants and chips, followed by a drying step to prevent solvent residue, and a measuring step under a clean atmosphere to ensure precise automatic measurement on a thread processing line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic measurement is performed on-line after thread processing, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lubricant residue and cutting chips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing cleaning and drying operations before the measurement process. The cleaning step removes lubricant residue and cutting chips from the thread surface, and the drying step eliminates moisture that could interfere with measurement. This preparatory treatment ensures the measurement surface is clean and dry, enabling precise on-line measurement without compromising productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cleaning mechanism between the thread processing and measurement operations. The cleaning apparatus acts as a mediator that removes harmful substances (lubricant residue and cutting chips) from the thread surface, while the drying apparatus removes moisture. This intermediary step bridges the gap between high-speed processing and precision measurement requirements.
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement is performed in a laboratory environment, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to sampling limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement with an automatic optical measurement system. The optical sensor non-contactly measures thread elements by detecting light reflected from or transmitted through the thread structure. This substitution eliminates the need for manual sampling and measurement, enabling 100% inspection of all pipes while maintaining high measurement precision and significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system creates an optical copy or image of the thread structure to perform measurements. By using light to capture the thread geometry and analyzing the optical information, the system achieves precise measurements without physical contact or manual intervention, enabling automated on-line inspection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, automatic, and on-line measurement of thread elements, reducing the risk of particle adherence and achieving 100% measurement accuracy on the processing line.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning step of cleaning the end portion of the pipe or tube after the thread processing is performed on the end portion of the pipe or tube
Implementation Method 2
a drying step of drying the end portion of the pipe or tube after the end portion of the pipe or tube is cleaned in the cleaning step
Implementation Method 3
an automatic measurement apparatus which has an optical sensor, which projects parallel light from a light source onto thread grooves and detects the light that leaks out
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for automatically measuring a thread element at an end portion of a pipe or tube P after thread processing, on a thread processing line 100 in which thread processing is performed on the end portion of each pipe or tube P which is successively conveyed, comprising: a cleaning step of cleaning the end portion of the pipe or tube by a thread cleaning apparatus 30 after the thread processing; a drying step of drying the end portion of the pipe or tube P cleaned in the cleaning step by a thread drying apparatus 40; and a measuring step of measuring the thread element at the end portion of the pipe or tube P by an automatic thread element measurement 50 after drying, wherein the end portion of the pipe or tube is put under a clean atmosphere at least in the measuring step.