3D scanners in oil industry
Quality control of an oil drill bit with the usage of SMARTTECH3D ON scanner& SMARTECH3Dmeasure software
Oil drilling, a vital process in the energy industry, involves extracting petroleum and natural gas from beneath the Earth's surface. This is key for obtaining valuable resources that undergo refinement to yield diverse products such as gasoline, diesel, and various petrochemicals.
At the heart of the drilling process lies the drill bit, a critical component responsible for cutting through rock formations and creating the wellbore. Different types of drill bits are designed to suit various geological conditions. Irrespective of their type, drill bits must meet two primary design objectives: maximizing the rate of penetration through the formation and ensuring a prolonged service life.
To achieve these goals, a series of courses for fluids are strategically arranged on the bit's surface. This configuration serves to cool the drill bit body, enhancing the overall durability and efficiency.
Maintaining the efficient operation of the tool requires a meticulous and demanding inspection of its geometry. This ensures that the bit is in optimal condition, ready to tackle the challenges posed by the geological formations encountered during the oil drilling process. Any deviations or wear in the drill bit's geometry can significantly impact its performance, potentially reducing the rate of penetration and shortening its service life. By consistently monitoring and maintaining the drill bit's condition, operators can enhance its longevity and optimize work efficiency.
The difficulty of inspecting the drill bit
Due to very unique design, it is extremely challenging and time-consuming to measure the drill bit using traditional methods. Its geometry is full of highly complex curves that are significant for the proper tool operation.
This is a perfect application for SMARTTECH3D scanners since they are quick and precise. For the scanning of the exemplary drill bit from this case study, SMARTTECH3D used the SMARTTECH3D ON 12 MP scanner with a field of view of 300x200 mm.
It offers an accurate digital portrayal of the drill bit, while still boasting a high-speed scanning rate.
SMARTTECH3D ON is a portable and lightweight scanner that ensures the highest quality of scans, allowing a reliable inspection to occur, as well as guaranteeing ease of transport for the user between sites of usage.
Inspection of the digital drill bit model
The inspection of the drill bit was focused on the assignment of the signs of wear down, to determine whether the object is still viable to use and if it carries any danger to the drilling process.
The drill bit is crafted from a durable metal alloy featuring a reflective surface, a characteristic that could potentially hinder the quality of the scanning process. In order to overcome this challenge and ensure a high-precision scan, the professional scanning spray was used before the measuring process to ensure the capturing of an exceptionally accurate and detailed scan
Through the usage of SMARTTECH3D ON and its associated software SMARTTECH3Dmeasure, the client was able to effortlessly navigate the process. The entire procedure took less than 10 minutes and resulted in achieving a detailed point cloud. Structured light technology was used for the 3D scanning process. This means that data is collected by registration of deformations of the light fringes, projected into the object. The equipped 12 MP camera captures 12 million points per scan, guaranteeing the acquisition of even the smallest detail.
The object was situated on a rotary stage during the scan, which allowed for a series of scans that were automatically and seamlessly stitched together by the software, concluding with a 360° view of the drill bit.
After the alignment of the 3D data, the object was then compared to its original CAD model directly in the SMARTTECH3Dmeasure software.
Through this analysis, it was possible to check with metrological precision whether the wear of the embedded sintered carbide was significant and if it would impact the useability of the drill bit.
Strengths of utilizing SMARTTECH3D scanners in quality control in the oil industry
Highly accurate and efficient measurement
SMARTTECH3D scanners are compact and reliable tools allowing for seamless 3D digitalization of an object. They allow for the shortening of time necessary for the measurement process as well as making sure it is precise.
Instinctive data analysis
SMARTTECH3Dmeasure software is used to operate the 3D scanner, allowing for automatized measurement and easy postprocessing thanks to an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Furthermore, it has built-in quality control features that can be automated.
Convenience in product development
The process of oil drilling necessitates a variety of drill bits, each designed with exact specifications to accommodate the unique formations encountered. All models of SMARTTECH3D scanners can expertly digitalize samples of these drill bits, creating accurate 3D models that are editable and ready for analysis using CAD software. This enables clients to enhance the design, functionality, and longevity of their current drill bits, all based on the data gained through SMARTTECH3Dmeasure. Additionally, 3D scanning can accelerate and reduce the cost of prototyping.
Conclusions
The SMARTTECH3D scanner stands out as an extensive and efficient instrument for the comprehensive quality control of drill bits. Its capabilities allow for delivering accurate scans of its complex geometry, which cannot be matched by traditional methods. Not only does it provide error-free geometric data, but it also equips the end user with detailed visual representations, including a comprehensive map of deviations.
Enhancing the utility of the SMARTTECH3D scanner is the SMARTTECH3Dmeasure software, a sophisticated tool that empowers users to effortlessly compare the digitized physical object with the original CAD model. This seamless integration of scanning technology and software functionality ensures a heightened level of precision and reliability in the analysis process.
Implementation of the 3D scanner in the quality control processes is an invaluable tool to quickly and reliably determine the optimal time for the replacement of a drill bit, thereby guaranteeing the safety and efficiency of the entire drilling operation. By providing a secure understanding of the wear and tear on the drill bit, the SMARTTECH3D scanner and accompanying software contribute to a proactive approach to maintenance, leading to enhanced operational safety and longevity.
