TMK has developed a technology for QR coding pipes using neural networks

Trubnaya Metallurgical Company (TMK) has developed a technology for marking pipe products using QR codes that can be read even if damaged thanks to a neural network algorithm of its own design. The first batch of marked products has been delivered to the customer.
Digital marking is required to identify each pipe and track it throughout its entire life cycle. This information is necessary for comprehensive service support of pipe products from transportation and lowering into the well to its maintenance, repair and decommissioning. Unlike traditional alphanumeric marking, QR codes are more durable. Standard factory markers are used to apply them, and TMK has developed its own application for reading and working with information, which has a built-in neural network algorithm that can restore the code in case of damage. The software is installed on a smartphone or personal computer and allows you to see the full product passport, quality certificates for it, and also perform pipe accounting operations in the system, which is synchronized with existing inventory management programs. The solution can be used without connecting to the network (offline), which is important for work at the fields. The developer of the technology was TMK-Premium Service, a part of TMK.
“It is important for the customer to receive reliable information about the product at each production stage, and after manufacturing and shipment – during operation. We have developed a solution that allows you to individually identify each pipe and track its life path in order to plan service operations in advance and use stocks efficiently. Thanks to access to comprehensive information about pipes, our partners can optimize process operations directly at the field, assessing their needs and available resources on the spot, right down to the number of pipes to achieve the required length of pipe columns,” said Sergey Rekin, General Director of TMK-Premium Service. The first batch of pipes with QR codes was produced, marked and shipped by the Volzhsky Pipe Plant (VTZ), part of TMK. It included casing pipes with TMK UP PF threaded connections. In the future, it is planned to expand this practice and apply QR codes to products at other plants of the company.