Weld seam tracking for pipeline inspection

For the maintenance of pipelines, the inspection of the outer weld seam is a decisive criterion. For this purpose, the profiles of the welds seams are inspected in a test station. In order to automate the inspection process, the test facility is positioned precisely over the seam. The laser scanner detects the position of the weld seam and outputs this to the control system which readjusts the test unit, and automatically adapts the exposure time to surface changes (e.g. moisture, dirt or corrosion).