Robot assistants to improve welding purge

In March 2023, an idea was posted in MProve for a new method to install and remove welding purge dams. 

What’s a purge dam? Certain types of pipe welding require the weld section to be flooded with an inert gas to ensure the success of the welding operation. Currently, the most common method to prepare the weld section is to install foam “dams” in the pipe, with attached hoses and ropes for gas supply and dam removal. 

Existing methods to install purge dams are awkward and time-consuming – the idea posted in MProve proposes using a robot that travels inside the pipe to install and remove welding purge dams. Potential improvements from the “robotic purge dam” include: 

• significantly reducing the set-up time for the welding operation; and 

• ability to seal off a more immediate zone around the weld, rather than fill an entire section of pipe –reducing the amount of gas required. 

Following the submission of this idea in MProve, the EC Technology and Innovation team first engaged the idea author and welding subject matter experts at Monadelphous to better understand the current issue and proposed solution. Given the nature of the idea, they decided this was an opportunity to progress it through universities and contacted the Co-operative Education for Enterprise (CEED) program. 

The CEED program offers research projects for students sponsored by business, government, and not-for-profit enterprises. The aim is to provide a link between industry, prospective graduates, and the cutting-edge research programs of Western Australia's leading universities.   

Jeannette Truong, a fourth year Master of Professional Engineering Student majoring in Mechanical Engineering at UWA was selected to work on bringing the idea to reality and is working alongside the Central Welding Team at our Bibra Lake facility. Separate to this program, Jeannette joined Monadelphous as a Graduate Engineer in June this year as part of our winter 2024 internship. 

Jason Cippitelli, EC Technology & Innovation Manager said this is a great example of what can happen when you submit your ideas on MProve.  

“Sharing your ideas enables us to support creative approaches to improving our business. In this case it will also strengthen the company’s partnerships with the university sector that will provide Monadelphous with new perspectives and expertise.” 

If you have an idea to improve our HSE outcomes, increase productivity, generate new business, and / or reduce costs – post it in the Ideas Anytime section of MProve and the Innovation team will contact you. 

If you would like to review your idea with someone before submitting on MProve, contact the Innovation Lead for your division: 

• Corporate – Andrew Blake
• Engineering Construction – Rob Voss
• Maintenance & Industrial Services – Christine Gong and Jimmy Dickerson 
  
  

Jeannette Truong, Master of Professional Engineering Student with Lee Oakley, Welding Engineering Manager.