Metrology Automated Pipe Cutting Solution

Abstract

The Metrology Automated Pipe Cutting system (APC) automates precise pipe cutting machine alignment to produce accurate miter cuts on spools and piping components faster and easier in the field. The APC development effort involved collaborating with Bechtel engineers, integrator Reliabotics LLC, New River Kinematics, and the cutting machine manufacturer E.H. Wachs Industrial Products.

To facilitate the installation of piping components, such as spools, valves, flanges, etc., precise cuts are required to be made to ensure seamless fit-up the first time. Metrology equipment can be utilized to measure mating components and establish the appropriate cut geometry. This cut geometry is then uploaded into the APC solution and used to auto-align the pipe cutting machine via direct feedback from the measurement system using the Six (6) Degrees of Freedom (DoF) to compare the current cut position against the goal cut position. Once the goal cut position is achieved, the cutter will cut the pipe and verify that the as-built cut geometry meets provided tolerances.

The APC system was tested at a Bechtel project site on February 23 – 24, 2021. Cuts were performed on a 24-inch pipe using a new motorized cutter from E.H. Wachs, which was specifically designed for use with APC and a Hexagon ATS600 Laser Tracker. The system integrator, Reliabotics, developed the control system and used an SA-SDK interface to SpatialAnalyzer to automate the measurements from the laser tracker and compute the alignment.

The APC system optimizes the pipe fit-up process by enabling field fit-up crews to more easily achieve the proper pipe fit-up the first time, every time.