An automatic equipment for the marking of 12" polyethylene pipes

This work proposes a device for automatically marking high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tubes, using a mechatronic system which moves through the outside of the tubes and marks symmetrical points along it, to be used as perforation guides. Due to their physical and chemical properties, these tubes are widely used in draining processes in the mining and petrochemical industries, and the proposed system is an integral solution for the tube manufacturing industry. Current commercial solutions use costly methods which employ large anchored machinery for marking and perforation. Other available products use laser marking systems. The present work proposes a portable, low-cost, and easy to use system with a friendly user interface. It employs an integrated system which uses electronic control of geared motors and encoders to control the linear displacement along 12 inch HDPE tubes. Said displacement is done by a lightweight structure equipped with electrical pistons anchored to a mechanical system. A graphic user interface aids in configuring the marking process. The process ends when the whole tube has been marked and is ready for the subsequent drilling process. Validation testing shows that the system achieves a marking location precision of 95%. Thus, the present work successfully achieves its purpose.