Creaform Inc. takes a laser-focused approach to pipeline leak detection
What it is
REVscan and Pipecheck
Who made it
Quebec City-based Creaform Inc. designed the hand-held REVscan device which can test the
depth of the external corrosion of a pipeline. Two years ago, Creaform introduced the Pipecheck software system to map out that corrosion on a computer screen. Calgary-based Rapid
3D is the authorized dealer for both products in Alberta.
What it does
The whole system is called the external corrosion direct assessment method. The scanner is
held 12 inches from the surface of the pipe and the accuracy of a hand-held laser scanner is
coupled with a software system to quickly scan and analyze surface corrosion and mechanical
damage on a pipe.
Why it matters
The system works 10 to 20 times faster than a pipe inspector with a pit gauge who would
need to manually measure the depths of individual cracks or grooves in a pipe to determine
where the thinnest point lies. The hand-held scanner can measure 25,000 points per second
and map out the grooves in high-definition on an adjacent tablet, which can be magnetically
mounted onto the pipeline surface.