Ground-breaking grinding

TYPICALLY DEPLOYED in hard-to-reach areas of renewable and traditional energy structures OMS’s SmartGrind product uses a robotic crawler to solve weld defects at an early stage.

Based in Essex, OMS is a leading measurements, inspection and remediation company that specialises in developing innovative solutions for the energy sector. For SmartGrind, OMS needed strong, reliable gears that could withstand challenging conditions associated with the energy industry, such as severe weather conditions, extreme temperatures and 24/7 operation. The device must perform reliably in areas that are hard for workers to access and deliver critical performance. 

Enhanced durability

For this application, engineering distributor R. A. Rodriguez (UK) was able to supply gears from exclusive partner KHK – a long-established gear manufacturer based in Japan. SmartGrind utilises KHK spiral bevel gears in its design. The selected gears for the application are hardened to increase wear resistance and ground to improve their precision and surface finish after heat treatment, which enhances durability, reduces noise and vibration, and increases the lifespan of the gear. 

“OMS uses KHK gears from R. A. Rodriguez in our proprietary grinding system gearbox. Our grinding system is ground-breaking technology that uses a robotic crawler to deploy targeted smart remediation services within pipelines, particularly to areas that are hard to access,” says Jack Parlane, chief design engineer at OMS.

A modular add-on to AUGA.node, OMS’s visual and laser inspection system, SmartGrind is designed to identify and solve weld defects at an early stage, ensuring potential problems are remediated rapidly. The device uses a mounted flap disc to shape welds, which improves coatability, strengthens surfaces and helps ensure project specifications are met. SmartGrind can carry out repairs on defects such as spatter and excess penetration, before re-scanning to confirm weld quality. 

Using either a robotic crawler or attaching it to the ILUC (Internal Line-Up Clamp), SmartGrind eliminates the need for human operation in hazardous environments and therefore improves worker safety. 

Strength and reliability

“Maintaining strength and reliability are vital for our services, which operate in critical energy production environments, so KHK gears were the ideal choice for us. R. A. Rodriguez provides the high levels of customer service we require,” says Parlane.

After engaging with R. A. Rodriguez (UK) and leveraging KHK’s precision-engineered spiral bevel gears, OMS successfully delivered a robust and reliable SmartGrind system. The innovative product is an example of engineering and technology driving progress in the energy sector. SmartGrind can operate in the most demanding environments, providing early-stage weld remediation that improves structural integrity, enhances safety and reduces downtime – ensuring fewer time-consuming weld cut-outs.

www.rarodriguez.co.uk