Prevent Rotary Shouldered Connection Failures Released

Houston, TX, May 2011- Gagemaker proudly announces the official release of our new white paper, "Prevent Rotary Shouldered Connection Failures." We successfully released our paper during a presentation at 2 p.m. on April 13 during the American Association of Drilling Engineers National Technical Conference in Houston. Gagemaker was proud to present, as well as attend the conference and meet new and old faces.

Jim Douglas, Gagemaker, LP, © 2011

Designers of the original rotary shouldered connection (RSC) would never have imagined that their designs would be taken to the extreme depths and subjected to the severity of directional drilling as they are today.  Companies demand superior RSC performance as they run drilling tools longer and with higher forces to maintain schedules and reduce time on location.  Unfortunately, galled shoulders, swollen boxes and fatigue stress cracking are costly connection failures that are fairly common and an expected expense by drilling contractors today.

The root cause of most RSC failures and damage is the lack of thread interference in the connection. The most important thread element of an RSC connection is the pitch diameter size, which is not addressed in the current API Specification 7-2 or API RP7G.  Consequently, connectors are still manufactured using 92 year old inspection technology that produces connections that do not have full thread contact or proper radial interference when torqued together.  In order for connections to achieve the performance level required today, a new approach to gauging and dimensional inspection must be pursued and implemented for not only new, but also used connections.

This paper explains the importance of isolating the connectors’ pitch diameters from the ring and plug gauge standoff and the other thread elements, making it a standalone attribute measurement.  By measuring the pitch diameters, the operators can directly control the connector’s size during manufacturing as well as ensure that the thread cones go into interference properly when the connections are torqued together.

About Gagemaker:

Gagemaker LP is a Houston-based manufacturer of precision mechanical inspection equipment for the quality control industry. We have provided quality gaging equipment to the oil field, automotive and general machining industries since 1982. Gagemaker markets and sells our products to over 35 countries around the world. Our employees pride themselves on problem solving and continuous product improvement. The result of these efforts is supplying customers with the best products and service possible.

Prevent Rotary Shouldered Connection Failures to be Released at AADE Conference

Houston, TX, April 2011-Gagemaker proudly announces the upcoming presentation of our new white paper, "Prevent Rotary Shouldered Connection Failures" at 2 p.m. on April 13 during the American Association of Drilling Engineers National Technical Conference in Houston.  Stop by Booth #25 at any time during the conference to pick up a copy or see a demonstration.

"Prevent Rotary Shouldered Connection Failures" outlines an innovative inspection system for new and used rotary shouldered connections ultimately minimizing errors and preventing failures.

If you cannot attend, request a copy of the paper via our request form.

About Gagemaker:

Gagemaker LP is a Houston-based manufacturer of precision mechanical inspection equipment for the quality control industry. We have provided quality gaging equipment to the oil field, automotive and general machining industries since 1982. Gagemaker markets and sells our products to over 35 countries around the world. Our employees pride themselves on problem solving and continuous product improvement. The result of these efforts is supplying customers with the best products and service possible.

Accurately and Quickly Determine the Degree of Damageusing Gagemaker's Pit Depth Gage Series.

Houston, TX, June 2010- Pit Depth gages (PD-3000 Series) inspect the depth of surface pitting up to 0.45".  We offer a range of models and bases to properly inspect a variety of surfaces. Useful anywhere from the drilling rig to the pipeyard or tankyard to the shopfloor.

SIMPLE. Just place the gage on the damaged area for a quick analysis.

ADAPTABLE. Check any surface that is corroded, dented, scraped  or scratched to confirm quality.

ACCURATE. Depend on the precise .001" resolution indicator that easily presets on any flat surface.

RELIABLE. Trust the quality and innovation of Gagemaker.

About Gagemaker:

Gagemaker LP is a Houston-based manufacturer of precision mechanical inspection equipment for the quality control industry. We have provided quality gaging equipment to the oil field, automotive and general machining industries since 1982. Gagemaker markets and sells our products to over 35 countries around the world. Our employees pride themselves on problem solving and continuous product improvement. The result of these efforts is supplying customers with the best products and service possible.

A Comprehensive RSC Thread Inspection System: JSS

Houston, TX- Gagemaker's Joint Strength System (JSS) is a revolutionary breakthrough in enhancing rotary shouldered connection thread inspection.

Simply, the Joint Strength System is a new method of accurately gauging the quality of a rotary shouldered connector.  The JSS adds the most important measurement, pitch diameter, to the arsenal of criteria used to accept or reject a connector's quality.

Pitch diameter is the "control" diameter used in the design of a connector.  If the pitch diameter is machined incorrectly, the quality of the connector is jeopardized. A ring or plug gage will not directly detect variation in pitch diameter.

Historically, pitch diameter is one feature on a connector that has been left to interpretation by the "fit" of a ring or plug gage.  At best, the ring or plug would catch a discrepancy in either lead, taper, or thread form.  Any one of these features could render a connector unusable however the operator never knows which one is responsible for the discrepant gage standoff.

JSS provides a method to control all the components that make a connector perform properly.  It combines some of our previous gages with new gages (i.e. PD-8001-RSC) and software (TDWIN TAPER). The system checks thread cone taper*, thread lead*, thread height*, thread form*, and pitch diameter at the pitch plane.  When all these features are machined within the allowable tolerances, a ring or plug gage will inspect the part perfectly. Plus, if you do have a problem, you'll know where to find it.

Now comes the good part.  With the basic JSS gage package, you will be able to inspect any rotary shouldered connector without the use of a ring or plug gage.  Right hand or left hand, it doesn't matter, these gages don't care.  If you are bound by contract to inspect with a ring or plug, fine, just remember your reputation as a threader depends on the performance of the connector you supply.  You can still use a ring or plug, just make sure the part is JSS good before you thread that ring or plug gage onto the part.

For more information visit our JSS page directly or send us an email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

*API Spec 7 Required Inspections