With a range of products on offer through ROTHENBERGER, RICO has an array of inspection cameras to assist any trenchless project.
Founded in 1978, RICO first developed technology for testing welding seams of pipes, laser devices for measuring distances, and cameras for nuclear plants. RICO later focused on TV inspection of pipes and sewers.
In 1990, the company was sold to the ROTHENBERGER Group, residing in Kelkheim, Germany, before merging with the EAB, Kleinwalsertal, and later with RICO in Kempten in 1994.
As a result, this created a company strong in development and able to operate worldwide.
Today, ROTHENBERGER has a special position among its competitors, with its flexibility and responsiveness, share-owning management, and financial power deriving from the group-membership.
With its specialised drain inspection cameras, RICO offers capabilities designed for some of the toughest conditions and applications.
“These cameras come with many standard features such as LED lighting, self-levelling camera heads, pan and tilt functions, and high-resolution video recording capabilities,” ROTHENBERGER Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Trent Carter said.
“In addition, RICO offers a range of inspection systems that include monitors, recording devices, and other accessories that are used in conjunction with the cameras.”
With the use of RICO’s cameras, operators can quickly identify issues such as cracks, blockages and make informed decisions about the best course of action.
“This ultimately saves time and money while improving the overall quality of service provided to customers,” Carter said.
A versatile tool
Throughout its extensive industry applications, RICO cameras are commonly used in industrial and commercial pipes inspections to visually inspect the condition of pipes and identify any damage that may require repair or maintenance.
Specifically, the crawler type camera is designed to traverse through larger diameter pipelines.
These cameras are often used for longer inspection runs in larger diameter pipes and can navigate easily through bends and turns.
“RICO crawler cameras while typically have standard features, such as the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom the camera and may also be equipped with laser scanning capabilities for capturing 3D information about the pipe’s interior,” Carter said.
“Both RICO push and crawler cameras are capable of capturing high-quality videos and images of the pipe’s interior and can be used to detect defects such as cracks, corrosion, or blockages.
“There are several third-party software packages that can be utilised with RICO cameras dependant on user requirements and preference.
“However, the choice between a push camera and crawler camera will depend on the specific requirements of the inspection, such as size and configuration of the pipe, the length of the inspection run and the desired level of detail and accuracy.”
For example, the RICO TINY|PC.3 combines the mobile CROSS|TOUCH system for inspections of 30 millimetres (mm) up to 300mm in diameter.
The sliding system allows for easy assembly due to the push cable being on a clickable steel reel basket.
Now, the product has a newly added feature which offers the option of using the camera from a TV vehicle through a cable of up to 600m.
By controlling the camera from a TV inspection vehicle, customers save time while conducting inspections.
Paired with RICO’s innovative CROSS|TRAILER, users can have the ultimate ergonomic workstation for inspections.
This low maintenance trailer can be positioned anywhere, by mounting on a conventional vehicle with a trailer coupling or as a supplement to sanitary vehicles.
The back space of the trailer comes with RICO’s CROSS|TOUCH inspection system, with a cable length of 300m.
This particular system can be used with a wide variety of crawlers and cameras from RICO and can inspect diameters from DN 100 to DN 2000, depending on requirements.
“The trailer is perfect for those looking for easy handling and maximum flexibility,” Carter said.
“As it can be used on conventional or flushing vehicles, it really is a successful alternative to any TV inspection vehicle.”
Laser scans
Laser scanning is another useful tool for trenchless operators when inspecting drainpipes as it allows for the capture of 3D information about the interior of the pipe.
Laser scanning on RICO cameras can efficiently measure the distance to points on the surface of the pipe, creating a detailed 3D point cloud of the pipe’s interior.
This 3D information can be used to detect defects such as cracks or corrosion in the pipe’s surface that may not be visible to the naked eye or with traditional video inspection methods.
The 3D model can also help to identify the location and size of defects, which can aid in planning repairs or replacement of the pipe.
“Overall, using a RICO camera with laser scanning capabilities can help to provide a more accurate and detailed inspection of pipes, potentially leading to more efficient and effective maintenance and repair efforts,” Carter said.
“As a ROTHENBERGER Group member, RICO receives financial backing for development of the newest technologies and support from our company too.”
This article featured in the August edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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