TPT-January-2015

Technology News

Continuous casting technology UPCAST OY is a supplier of Upcast ® - SGTube production lines for upward casting of thin-walled Cu-DHP tubes ready for further processing into various high quality tube products.

The continuous casting technology offers a shortcut in copper tube production process, requiring one-step compared with the traditional multi- step tube production. It is an extension of the Upcast system used for casting Cu and Cu-alloy rod, and shares the same inherent benefits of the standard system, with specific construction of the casting machine, coilers and casting machine tooling. The Upcast-SG cast tube has a fine grain structure, allowing for its straight breakdown drawing followed by inductive in-line annealing. To ensure complete softening a total area reduction of at least 50 per cent is required before intermediate annealing. Upcast rod and Upcast-SGTube lines are both of modular design, offering solutions for small and medium capacities. With a double-furnace configuration (separate melting and casting furnaces) it is possible to reach 12,000 tpa. Sizes of tube with outer diameters from 38 to 60mm have been cast, with wall thicknesses of 2mm/3mm respectively. Different tube sizes can be cast simultaneously when the casting TRI TOOL has announced the new RBL-G2, the next generation in clamshell lathes. Designed to be faster, better and safer, the RBL-G2 is built for safety, performance and speed. Safety is a core value at Tri Tool, and a primary goal of Tri Tool’s engineers when tackling both design and redesign projects. “We wanted to eliminate as many pinch points on the new RBL-G2 as possible,” stated Justin Tripp, PE, manager of engineering. “Our engineering team developed an innovative and patent-pending tool block design that allows for the tripper mechanism to remain in a fixed and low- profile location adjacent to the tapered drive housings. The result is significantly fewer pinch points throughout the entire usable range of the machine.”

Double-furnace configuration

alloys have all been successfully cast. Having the Upcast-SGTube process as the first step of tube production line is claimed to be cost effective due to smaller energy consumption, as well as providing a small environmental footprint. It is also possible to use clean and dry scrap in the process with the double-furnace configuration. Further savings can be gained through the smaller space requirement of the line.

machine is equipped with more than one servo-drive system. The smaller the final tube size, the smaller the cast tube size. With respect to coil weight Upcast- SGTube is flexible, with an upper limit of around 1.5 tons. The final weight limit is more likely to be determined by the downstream process equipment. The main use of Upcast-SGTube is in the casting of phosphor deoxidised (DHP) copper tube for the production of sanitary, industrial and ACR tubing. However, the process is not limited to DHP copper, and is also suitable for other copper grades/copper alloys. Oxygen-free copper and copper nickel In addition to addressing safety, Tri Tool examined every aspect of the clamshell lathe design and improved performance, speed and ease of use while maintaining the power and durability customers have come to expect. The newly redesigned RBL-G2 will now sever and bevel up to three times faster with new high speed, in-line and right angle motor options in a single drive housing which adds flexibility and reduces machining time without compromising power. “We’ve also simplified the tool bit setup which should save the operator time and reduce the amount of training needed to operate the machine,” stated Ash Ferozepurwalla, PE, lead engineer.

Upcast OY – Finland Fax: +358 207 577 401

Email: sales@upcast.com Website: www.upcast.com Lathe designed with safety in mind

The new, economical high speed carbide sever kit allows for sequential sever and bevel operations with minimal setup and without having to reposition the clamshell lathe. Tri Tool Incorporated is a privately held, global company in the manufacture of portable precision equipment specifically designed for pipe bevelling, flange facing, in-line cutting, multi- process welding, high performance pipeline machinery, and a wide range of internal line-up clamps. In addition, Tri Tool offers on-site machining and code welding services, special engineering and custom machine design and equipment rental.

Tri Tool – USA Website: www.tritool.com

36

www.read-tpt.com

J anuary 2015