Video Introduction to Pipe Inspection Crawlers

What is a Pipe Inspection Crawler? What are its main parts? How does it work? This short 2 minute video presented by Atlas Inspection Technologies’ President Darren Billings, answers these questions and also provides basic care and use instructions in a clear and easy to follow format.

What is a Pipe Inspection Crawler

A pipe inspection crawler is also called a video pipe crawler, robotic pipe crawler, robotic video crawler, pipe crawler, pipeline crawler, pipeline robotic camera, pipe inspection camera and sometimes a pipe camera. These are inspection cameras that are remotely operated and are used for inspecting pipe lines. Pipe inspection crawlers use a control cable for live video feed to the operator and to control the operation of the camera which is typically wheel or track driven.

Video Pipe Inspection Crawler Tutorial

For complete operating and maintenance guidelines always refer to the operator’s manual. Plan on beginning your use of the robotic video crawler (ROV) system with an inspection of the equipment and its components. A robotic pipe crawler camera (ROV) system is comprised of a pan and tilt (PT) or a pan, tilt zoom (PTZ) camera, a steerable crawler,a cable and reel and a command module with video display and a capture capability.

Assembling and Pressurizing Pipe Crawler System

Prior to inserting the system into a pipe you will need to assemble and pressurize the system. Begin by selecting the correct wheel size for your application and attach them to the tractor body. Next attach the camera to the crawler. Take care to align the camera pins and avoid cross threading. Attach the cable to the tractor and pressurize the system. The system is designed to maintain a positive pressure to avoid any fluid ingress. Connect the reel cable to the command module and turn on the power.

Familiarize yourself with the operations of the system. The controls on the command module allow you to manipulate the camera and drive and steer the tractor. Camera controls include panning and tilting, focus adjustment, and zoom (if you have a zoom camera). Crawler controls include forward and reverse, slight turns and skid turns.

Avoiding Damage to Robotic Inspection Cameras

Avoid costly repairs to any robotic video crawler system by following a few simple care and maintenance guidelines. Take care to not “flip” the crawler by paying close attention when you are driving it inside the application. Do not allow any impact to the camera or crawler. Protect the cable from sharp edges and friction by using rollers or tiger tails whenever possible. Do not put the insertion tube into corrosive chemicals or hot environments. Identify the specific temperature limits in the operator’s manual. Give thought to removing the system and don’t access areas where you will not be able to drive the crawler out and retrieve it. The system may come with accessories that include a down hole roller or tiger tail, tool kit for changing wheel configurations, lowering device, and pressure pump.

How to Contact Atlas Inspection Technologies

Please don’t hesitate to call Atlas Inspection at 800.281.0650, 206.774.8704 or email Atlas Inspection Technologies with any questions or for more information.

The ABC’s of RVI: Remote Visual inspection (RVI) technology is known (and spelled) by many names: point-to-point measurement, sonde locating, laser profiling, or 3D Optical Scanning for 360° and unfolded views, by its many techniques — simple forward-view camera, pan & tilt with continuous rotation, inclination reporting, and by its many technologies — boroscopes, flexible borescopes or borescopes and rigid borescopes, pipe viewers, pipe cameras or pipe line cameras, pole cameras, pull cameras, push cameras, video scopes, video probeCC TV, sewer TV, pipe TV or remotely operated robotic crawler, IR cameras, infrared cameras, infra red windows and thermal windows, but one name stands behind ALL with superior sales, rental and service — Atlas Inspection Technologies. Our world of RVI is your world of solutions.