TPI July 2014

products & developments

Precision tubing for solar orbiter Fine Tubes, a manufacturer and distributor of precision tubes for critical applications, has been selected to supply specialist tubing for the chemical propulsion system (CPS) of the Solar Orbiter project. Due for launch in 2017, Solar Orbiter will fly to within 45 million kilometres of the Sun, closer than Mercury, and will image the solar poles for the first time, helping to explain how the Sun generates its magnetic field.

Steve Ashton, product assurance manager at OHB Sweden, added, “Fine Tubes were selected as supplier for the high quality seamless titanium tubing required to fulfil the exacting requirements of high quality and cleanliness levels needed for the chemical propulsion system.” Fine Tubes manufactures both seamless and welded tubes, in a wide range of stainless steel, nickel, titanium and zirconium alloys, for critical applications in the oil and gas, nuclear and power, aerospace, chemicals and medical equipment industries. The company has headquarters and production facilities in Plymouth, UK, and sales offices in Munich, Germany; Orleans, France; New Delhi, India; and Houston, USA.

The Orbiter will experience levels of sunlight thirteen times higher than satellites orbiting the Earth, and will also need to endure powerful bursts of atomic particles from explosions in the solar atmosphere. Paul Mallet, aerospace business development manager at Fine Tubes, commented, “The challenging environment in which these tubes must operate necessitates traditional manufacturing processes be improved to meet the demanding technical requirements. At Fine Tubes we are proud of our flexibility in adapting to new specification requirements and of our role in enabling such exciting projects to take place.”

Contracted by OHB Sweden, Fine Tubes will manufacture over 100m of titanium tubing Grade 2 AMS 4942 with an outer diameter of 3.17mm and an inner diameter of 2.66mm. Solar Orbiter is a European Space Agency (ESA) project that will investigate how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere, its extended atmosphere. The contract to build the satellite has been awarded to Astrium UK, which will lead a team of suppliers, including OHB Sweden; NASA will provide the launcher and contribute instruments to the scientific payload. The scientific mission will be co-ordinated with NASA’s Solar Probe Plus to maximise the combined science return.

Fine Tubes ltd – UK sales@finetubes.co.uk www.finetubes.com

Magnetic Centering Punch 3 Easy to read digital gage 3 Spring-loaded striking pin 3 Magnetic base 3 Removable gage with magnetic base

Centering Punch and carrying case

Gage with Magnetic Base

Alignment Indicator

Magnetic Base Push button release of striking pin

Center head with magnetic aluminum base can be used on the circumference of pipe or tanks. Digital gage provides highly visible, accurate reading when establishing a centerline. Built in spring loaded hardened striking pin marks location with the push of a button. Detachable digital gage comes with a magnetic base for additional leveling applications. Level gage numbers are so large you might seriously consider throwing away your reading glasses!

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July 2014 Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal