An automated system for manipulating a workpiece includes a machining device, a locating device configured to determine a position of a workpiece, and a positioning system operatively connected to the machining device and being configured to adjust a position of the machining device to align a centerline of the machining device with a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, based upon the determined position of the workpiece. The machining device includes a stabilizing mechanism to engage the workpiece to maintain the workpiece in the determined position, and a cutting element for performing a machining operation on the workpiece.

An automated system for manipulating a workpiece includes a machining device, a locating device configured to determine a position of a workpiece, and a positioning system operatively connected to the machining device and being configured to adjust a position of the machining device to align a centerline of the machining device with a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, based upon the determined position of the workpiece. The machining device includes a stabilizing mechanism to engage the workpiece to maintain the workpiece in the determined position, and a cutting element for performing a machining operation on the workpiece.

A method of preparing a pipe-section for welding to another pipe-section to form a pipeline comprising a plurality of said pipe-sections, the method comprising at least the steps of: (i) providing a pipe-section having first and second pipe-ends; (ii) defining a first portion L1 of the longitudinal length of the pipe-section from the first pipe-end being in the range 3% to 40% of the overall length of the pipe-section; (iii) defining a second portion L2 of the longitudinal length of the pipe-section from the end of the first portion L1 towards the second pipe-end; (iv) heating at least the first portion L1 to at least a first temperature T1 of at least 500 C. for at least 2 minutes; (v) maintaining a second temperature T2 of the second portion L2 during step (iv) below the first temperature T1. The invention is able to reduce the strain capacity during reel-laying of a pipeline formed from a plurality of pipe sections formed by the invention.

A method of preparing a pipe-section for welding to another pipe-section to form a pipeline comprising a plurality of said pipe-sections, the method comprising at least the steps of: (i) providing a pipe-section having first and second pipe-ends; (ii) defining a first portion L1 of the longitudinal length of the pipe-section from the first pipe-end being in the range 3% to 40% of the overall length of the pipe-section; (iii) defining a second portion L2 of the longitudinal length of the pipe-section from the end of the first portion L1 towards the second pipe-end; (iv) heating at least the first portion L1 to at least a first temperature T1 of at least 500 C. for at least 2 minutes; (v) maintaining a second temperature T2 of the second portion L2 during step (iv) below the first temperature T1. The invention is able to reduce the strain capacity during reel-laying of a pipeline formed from a plurality of pipe sections formed by the invention.

Welding methods and welded joints for improving corrosion resistance of the joint between a plurality of high-strength aluminum alloy structural members are described herein. An example method can include applying a first weld at a junction between the plurality of high-strength aluminum alloy structural members using a first filler metal, and applying a second weld on at least a portion of a toe of the first weld using a second filler metal. The second weld can be applied using a fusion welding process (e.g., an arc welding process or a high energy beam welding process). Additionally, the secondary weld can alter a secondary phase of the first weld.

Welding methods and welded joints for improving corrosion resistance of the joint between a plurality of high-strength aluminum alloy structural members are described herein. An example method can include applying a first weld at a junction between the plurality of high-strength aluminum alloy structural members using a first filler metal, and applying a second weld on at least a portion of a toe of the first weld using a second filler metal. The second weld can be applied using a fusion welding process (e.g., an arc welding process or a high energy beam welding process). Additionally, the secondary weld can alter a secondary phase of the first weld.

A method for producing a steel material for line pipes which has a tensile strength of 570 MPa or more, a compressive strength of 440 MPa or more, and a thickness of 30 mm or more, the method including heating a steel having a specific composition to a temperature of 1000 C. to 1200 C.; performing hot rolling such that a cumulative rolling reduction ratio in a non-recrystallization temperature range is 60% or more, a cumulative rolling reduction ratio in a temperature range of (a rolling finish temperature +20 C.) or less is 50% or more, and a rolling finish temperature is the Ar.sub.3 transformation point or more and 790 C. or less; and subsequently performing accelerated cooling from a cooling start temperature of the Ar.sub.3 transformation point or more, at a cooling rate of 10 C./s or more, until the temperature of a surface of a steel plate reaches 300 C. to 500 C.

A method for producing a steel material for line pipes including heating a steel having a specific composition to a temperature of 1000 C. to 1200 C.; performing hot rolling such that a cumulative rolling reduction ratio in a non-recrystallization temperature range is 60% or more, a cumulative rolling reduction ratio in a temperature range of (a rolling finish temperature +20 C.) or less is 50% or more, and a rolling finish temperature is the Ar.sub.3 transformation point or more and 790 C. or less; subsequently performing accelerated cooling from a temperature of the Ar.sub.3 transformation point or more, at a cooling rate of 10 C./s or more, to a cooling stop temperature of 200 C. to 450 C.; and then performing reheating such that the temperature of a surface of the steel plate is 350 C. to 550 C. and the temperature of the center of the steel plate is less than 550 C.

A joint connection method is provided that is a method for connecting joints that are used for a hydraulic pressure test or the like to a long pipe by using a production facility which includes a conveyance system, a welding apparatus, a winding apparatus and an X-ray inspection apparatus. The joint connection method includes a step of girth welding a first joint to a front end portion of the long pipe by means of the welding apparatus, a step of inspecting a girth weld zone of the first joint by means of the X-ray inspection apparatus, a step of girth welding a second joint to a rear end portion of the long pipe by means of the welding apparatus, and a step of inspecting a girth weld zone of the second joint by means of the X-ray inspection apparatus.

A joint connection method is provided that is a method for connecting joints that are used for a hydraulic pressure test or the like to a long pipe by using a production facility which includes a conveyance system, a welding apparatus, a winding apparatus and an X-ray inspection apparatus. The joint connection method includes a step of girth welding a first joint to a front end portion of the long pipe by means of the welding apparatus, a step of inspecting a girth weld zone of the first joint by means of the X-ray inspection apparatus, a step of girth welding a second joint to a rear end portion of the long pipe by means of the welding apparatus, and a step of inspecting a girth weld zone of the second joint by means of the X-ray inspection apparatus.