Thermovision lubrication monitoring system for a mechanical expander

The mechanical expansion is a technological dimensional calibration operation which is proper for the manufacturing process of the longitudinally large size pipes regulated by the standard API 5L (American Petroleum Institute). The process involves the application of forces between 600 and 1500 tf on a set of tools in contact with friction both between the constituents and the inner surface of the pipe. In these conditions the control of the expanding head lubrication is vital to the tool integrity and the process quality. This paper presents the first application of a measuring system based on the use of thermal imaging cameras.