GPS and barcode pipe data collection
Application of barcode to the pipes surface
Application of labels to the pipes surface at the coating facility requires an adhesive that
will not damage the coating and must be able to withstand handling to the right of way
without the label being removed. Labels that are of a film like material provide the best
resistance to physical damage with an adhesive that will survive high temperatures of the
pipe at the end of the coating process and high ambient temperatures and humidity of the
environment. Thermal printed labels have proven to be the most durable with very little
smearing of the barcode.
Ink jetting of the labels on to the surface of the pipe provides the best alternative if the
coating facility is equipped to do so. The ink-jetted label is printed in a spiral down the
axis of the length of pipe.
The selection of barcode symbology
Barcode symbology will determine the amount of information that can be stored within a
barcode and the physical damage that it will be able to with stand and still be readable.
One-dimensional barcodes can only store a small amount of information and are not
resistant to physical damage the vertical axis. This barcode technology is the most
commonly used in a variety of industries and is of very low cost to implement.
Two-dimensional barcodes are capable of holding approximately 2000 alphanumeric
characters and are able to provide readability even if the label is damaged 50%. This
symbology is more expensive to implement, as the scanning and printing equipment is
more intelligent than the one dimensional barcode equipment. The amount of information
the two-dimensional barcode can contain may also cause complications with the amount
of memory within handheld computers and may take a minuet amount of extra time to
collect.
Placement of labels
The placement of the barcodes labels is very important because if they are placed on the
pipe joints incorrectly they can be damaged when being handled on to rail cars and
trucks, and they must be visible for data collection. Large inch pipe may require labels to
be placed in multiple positions around the circumference of the pipe, while smaller
diameter pipe may only need a couple of labels at one end. It is important to be aware of
the specification that was supplied to the mainline contractor, dictating the length of pipe
that will overhang the bunks or separators of rail cars and truck trailers.
Content of the barcode may very to the client’s requirements, and whether one or two-dimensional
barcodes are being used. The barcodes must also be humanly readable so
that a person not equipped with scanning equipment is able the use the information
printed on the barcode. Generally they may contain, but are not limited to any of the
following:
- Pipe numbers
- Coil numbers
- Heat numbers
- Purchase order numbers
- Diameter
- Wall thickness
- Length
- Client name
- Pipe mill name
- Coating mills name
- Coating number
Field data collection
A variety of methods can be used in conjunction with barcodes and GPS to collect pipe
data and asbuilt information. These approached may be very simple to complex
depending on the client’s requirements for the asbuilt information, as this information
may be captured in a non-spatial or spatial environment. Handheld computers may be
used to collect the pipe information in a non-spatial format. The data collected is the pipe
identification information and weld numbers in order as the pipe joints were welded.
The GPS spatial data includes the coordinates and elevation of a pipe joint feature and the
barcode pipe data. The GPS and barcode data create a three-dimensional model of the
pipe profile. There are 5 basic processes of pipe data collection in the field:
- Stringing
- Welding
- Lowering-in
- Tie-ins
- Daily validation and quality control of data
Stringing
The pipe information is validated against the pipe mill manifest to insure that it is correct
before it is welded together. If needed, the internal pipe and heat number can be
transferred to the outside of the pipe, or a barcode label can be applied for later use after
welding.
Barcode pipe data collection.
