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Ultrasonic Contact Shoe Rotary Heads
A History of Development (continued) |
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At the same time the first contact shoe design
probe assemblies also began to emerge; these designs relied on a pneumatic
application system with spring loaded probe blocks. The early designs proved
to be unreliable and this finally lead to the development of the
self-applying system whereby the probe block was kept in contact with the
tube by means of the centrifugal force generated from a counterweight. This
simplified design formed the basis of the designs in use today and a
succession of rotating heads (RP20's) have been produced throughout the
1970’s and 1980’s and installed at various locations around the world.
Designs for smaller RP200 and RP350 rotary heads, again using
hydrostatic bearings and self applying probe assemblies were also produced
by the British Steel Technical Centre at Corby prior to its closure in 1991.
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Unicorn
URP 350/S |
At that time some of the Engineers
involved with the development of rotary heads formed the company known today
as Unicorn Automation (NDT) Ltd; this
has ensured the continuation of the developments, which now stretch over
five decades. ince 1991 Unicorn recognised the need for even faster
testing speeds, and have further developed the rotary heads and probe
application mechanisms to incorporate many more channels, higher rotational
speeds and the ability to now test tubes with uncut or upset ends.
Over the last decade Unicorn have installed their rotary heads in
major tube producer plants in various locations around the world. Even
today, the development program is on-going with the advent of the next
generation of rotary heads which will achieve faster testing speeds,
improved maintenance features and even reduced costs.
Unicorn now offer a range of contact shoe rotating heads covering
tube diameters from 38mm to 700mm o.d. |
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Author |
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C. James
C.Phys., M.Inst. P., M.Inst.NDT |
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Company Ultrasonics
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