INTERNATIONAL METAL TUBE JUNE 2017
Multi-Test System for Automotive Shock Absorber Tubing, & OCTG featuring 100mm ultrasonic Echomac® Rotary test and a MultiMac® eddy current tester.
Magnetic Analysis Corp. (MAC) has supplied an ultrasonic/eddy current multi-test system to inspect cold-drawn welded tube used in the production of shock absorbers at a Monterrey, Mexico plant operated by Prosankin (formerly A-4C-Sankin). The plant primarily focuses on cold-drawn tube production for the automotive industry, but the test system is also designed with the future capability to meet API 5CT testing requirements for oil country tubular goods (OCTG).
Shock absorbers play a critical role in vehicle performance and safety. Contrary to their name, they do not actually absorb shock, but rather control and reduce vibrations in a vehicle’s springs. Working in tandem, springs and shock absorbers provide the crucial link between wheel suspension and the car body, ensuring stability on uneven roads. Given their importance in mass production, shock absorbers require strict quality control—particularly in the tubing used in their construction.
The MAC-supplied test system uses two advanced technologies to inspect cold-drawn welded tubes during production:
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Rotary Ultrasonic Test System
- 4 channels for detecting transverse defects
- 4 channels for detecting longitudinal defects
- 4 channels for measuring wall thickness
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Eddy Current Encircling Coil Test
- Designed to detect short defects
- Capable of identifying through-wall drilled holes simulating transverse flaws
The system operates automatically, performing both ultrasonic and eddy current tests while marking any detected defects. It tracks tube identification and batch information, ensuring high-speed testing without compromising accuracy. All test data is stored locally and can be transferred to the customer’s database for further analysis and quality assurance.
Additional features of the system include:
- Automated drive mechanism for seamless operation
- Integrated demagnetizer to eliminate any residual magnetism from eddy current testing
- Counterweight system for easy handling of the water box cover and attached heat exchanger coil
About Prosankin (Formerly A-4C-Sankin)
Prosankin was formed in 2014 as a joint venture between:
- Prolamsa Group, a leading Mexican pipe manufacturer
- Sankin Corporation, a Japanese cold-drawn steel tube manufacturer
- JFE Shoji Trade Corporation, the trading division of Japan’s second-largest steel producer
With MAC’s advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) system, Prosankin’s Monterrey plant is well-equipped to meet stringent quality standards for the automotive and oil & gas industries.
FC Laser increases capacity within new 10KW Bystronic fibre optic laser centre
Precision laser cutting specialist FC Laser has installed a new 10kW Bystronic laser center, capable of cutting materials up to 30mm thick with incredible accuracy. Two more identical machines are set to be ordered in the coming months.
At the same time, the company—celebrating its 6th anniversary in early June—has brought on undergraduate Swarrendeep Singh. His main responsibility will be to maximize productivity from the Swiss-made machine and the others soon to be installed. He will also work on process improvements across the company and assist in problem-solving.
“With an in-house specialist fully understanding what these advanced Bystronic lasers can achieve, FC Laser can further extend its lead over competitors,” the company stated.
The new Bystronic machine outperforms its predecessor, enabling FC Laser to boost productivity while maintaining precision and quality. The machine is also user-friendly—operators can manage job lists, assign cutting parameters, and optimize production with just a few swipes on a touchscreen.
FC Laser’s General Manager, Steve Connolly, said: “Speed, accuracy, quality, and maximum uptime—the new Bystronic machine is literally at the cutting edge of laser technology.” He added, “When the other two machines are installed, we will be in our best position yet to meet customer demands.”
Recently, FC Laser announced record-breaking revenue growth and was accredited to the ISO 9001 quality management standard, further solidifying its commitment to excellence.
