Forth Engineering has already developed a ‘spider robot’ prototype to retrieve hazardous waste at Sellafield
A Cumbria-based engineering company is developing a robot capable of repairing and refurbishing pipelines internally.
Forth Engineering is set to showcase the Friction Stir Welding Robotic Crawler (FSWBot) at a British Manufacturing and Fabrication in the Offshore Energy Industry event in Aberdeen on 27 November, although the company says the machine could also be used in the nuclear and renewable energy industries, as well as in other sectors.
The project, sponsored by Innovate UK, aims to integrate several state-of-the-art technologies including friction stir welding, milling, patch deployment and ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT), onto a robotic system which can be deployed to conduct repairs on pipelines without the need for the pipeline to be closed down for the duration of the repair.
Plans for the FSWBot
Friction stir welding is a solid-state welding process which generates enough frictional heat to soften or plasticise the metal without melting it, allowing metal components to be forged together at the joint line.
Forth Engineering aims to demonstrate that a patch weld can be made in steel pipe under oil, and that a FSW system can be made small enough to operate in a 36-inch diameter pipe.
If successful, Forth Engineering hopes that the system could be further developed to carry out a range of repair and fabrication tasks.
The company, which is working with consortium members TWI, J4IC, Innvotek and LSBU on the project, claimed it would have a “major positive impact” on safety.
Mark Telford, managing director of Forth, said: “As a company we have developed a worldwide reputation for developing a range of robotic solutions for use in harsh environments.
“The tools we have developed over the years have been for, and used by, Sellafield, to successfully solve challenges in the nuclear industry. So our technology is tried and tested in harsh environments.
“There’s a fantastic opportunity for other businesses and organisations in the UK and across the world, whether that’s other nuclear operations, or oil and gas, renewables, and perhaps areas we haven’t even thought of, to make use of that technology, and to share their challenges so we can develop the FSWBot in ways to help them.
“There are industries all over the world which face their own similar issues and by sharing knowledge and collaborating we can help each other overcome some of those challenges.”
“At the moment, an industry, a company, or an organisation, may see their only solution as sending a person into that extremely hazardous area. But that costs a huge amount of money, takes a lot of time, and is, by the very nature of the situation, putting people’s lives at risk.
“We are very keen to talk to any businesses or organisations who are faced with that type of challenge and discuss with them alternative solutions to the problems they face.”
The development of the FSWBot is due to be completed by end of January 2021.
