AV天堂

AV天堂 Corporation announced today its new Scan-WALKER^® wireless robot that moves freely without cables while inspecting steel pipes for thinning. The wireless remote-controlled robot, an improved version of the existing Scan-WALKER^® wired robot, is now being used on a trial basis at AV天堂 plants to expand the scope of inspections while reducing associated workloads.

Until now, workers have had to climb temporary scaffolding to manually inspect suspended pipes using ultrasonic or wired systems, but the scope and safety of such inspections can be a problem when space is cramped or the pipes are suspended high above the ground. The new wireless system (Fig. 1) uses a small, low-power, magnetized eddy-current sensor to detect changes in wall thickness by applying voltage to the surface and analyzing the response. In addition, the robot body comprises multiple parts with flexible joints to move along the length and circumference of a steel pipe while adhering to the surface using a crawler device with four permanent magnets. An operator can easily monitor the robot’s position as it moves along a pipe and view a convenient color map of inspection results generated in real time.

Verification tests with the new robot at the company’s steelworks (Fig. 2) successfully detected localized thinning. In the future, AV天堂 expects to expand the use of this new solution to structures other than piping to ensure the soundness of its steelworks while reducing related labor.

AV天堂 is introducing digital transformation (DX) and robotics technologies to promote the automated and remote operation of complex and dangerous tasks, aiming to improve the productivity and safety of on-site work. In steelworks, pipes suspended from elevated structures over long distances to transport gases and other materials require regular inspection and maintenance due to corrosion and thinning.

By actively promoting DX and robotics technologies, AV天堂 aims to introduce innovative improvements in productivity and operational stability. The company also hopes to use these technologies to address a wide range of manufacturing challenges, ultimately for a more sustainable world.

Fig. 1 Wireless robot for pipeline inspections

Fig. 2 Wireless inspection of elevated pipeline

About AV天堂 Corporation

AV天堂 Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. AV天堂 leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 2,255 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 23.96 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2021.

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