First Subsea invests £250,000 in Metrology and Test Equipment
Ball and taper connector specialist, First Subsea has invested £250,000 in new metrology inspection, test equipment and training for the manufacture of the Canrig SureGrip Automated Casing Running Tool and new product development at its Lancaster factory. The investment includes the latest Hexagon Metrology Discovery III shopfloor co-ordinate measurement machine (CMM), PC-DMIS Vision dimensional inspection software and training, Hydraulic Synchronous Lift System supplied by Enerpac and various factory modifications.First Subsea's Ballgrab ball and taper connection works on the simple principle of a ball engaged in a taper. The ball grips the item to be held, in direct proportion to the load applied. Once engaged it cannot be released until the load has been removed. A simple disengage mechanism allows the tool to be released and re-used.
The Canrig SureGrip Automated Casing Running Tool uses ball and taper technology to provide both the gripping / handling function and rotational torque for the threaded pipe sections, specifically casing, during rig operations. Each machined segment of the SureGrip Automated Casing Running Tool is measured with the CMM both before and after testing to ensure the quality of the finished tool. Testing of the tool is conducted by subjecting the assembled tool to variable loads - the hydraulic system has 12 lifting points each capable of 1,000t.
In addition to the Canrig SureGrip tool, the First Subsea ball and taper connection technology is used in other demanding oil and gas applications, such as deepwater subsea mooring systems, pipeline recovery tools, diverless bend stiffener connectors and AutoSwage pipe repair tools.
Brian Green, general manager, First Subsea, commented, “This is an important investment for First Subsea and reflects our commitment to quality and lean manufacture across the company. All our ball and taper connectors are used in mission critical applications, and so we always undertake extensive modelling and testing. The ability to perform in-depth metrology gives us a greater insight into ball and taper connector performance and will be invaluable for our new product development.”
