TPT-January-2015

Technology News

Increase in pipe-cutting reliability with new split-frame technology

ENERGY sector portable machine tool specialist Mirage Machines, an Acteon company, has achieved a step-change in the operational efficiency and reliability of cutting technologies for pipeline and plant fabrication manufacturers and contractors in the international energy sector. Rising fabrication and maintenance project activity, including works on wellhead, riser and caisson assemblies, has significantly increased demand from construction yards, operators and dutyholders for new pipecutting technologies across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. UK-based manufacturer and supplier Mirage Machines has evolved split- frame machine technology with the development of its MSF (Mirage Split- Frame) machine, which is claimed to improve the efficiency of pipecutting operations on infrastructure composed of heat-resistant, stainless and Super- Duplex metals. Mirage has developed innovative new self-squaring capability for the fully-portable MSF, reducing the risk of installation error during operations and significantly shortening the setup process, maximising the operational run-time of its equipment. Richard Silk, managing director of Mirage Machines, says the MSF technology has applications in every energy-producing region, and is already being shipped worldwide to meet rising demand generated by capex and opex projects in new and existing oil and gas infrastructure. “The pipecutting marketplace is a significant slice of the portable machine tool supply chain, yet until now the technology has not moved forward. The

The MSF technology from Mirage Machines

across the regions, and have focused on being able to supply from stock in the US and Australian markets to ensure that Mirage customers can respond quickly to the industry’s needs.” Mirage Machines designs and manufactures technologies for applications including drilling and tapping, flange facing, hot tapping and line stopping, line boring, milling and gantry milling, orbital milling, and pipe and casing cutting. Mirage Machines – UK Website: www.miragemachines.com

majority of machines in use have been based on an operational design which hasn’t evolved in 30 years,” he said. “We designed the MSF to bring about the step change the industry needs – reducing the weight of the machine while improving its technical capability, giving operators and service companies a more reliable, durable pipecutting tool which delivers excellent accuracy, without interruption, at any scale. “Due to the level of global demand, we havealreadyincreasedourmanufacturing capability at our headquarters in the UK to deliver work-ready MSF machines

Cutting tools and sawblades CALEYRON Industries has specialised in the manufacture of cutting tools since it was established in 1933. The new generation of circular sawblades provides a solution to the cutting of all available steels and non- ferrous metals.

These blades allow higher cutting speed and feed rates as well high output. Caleyron Industries SAS – France Fax: +33 477 352 464 Email: caleyron.ind@caleyron.fr Website: www.caleyron.com

The company produces solid carbide and HSS circular sawblades and circular knives, as well as TCT sawblades, from 20 to 600mm in diameter.

Surface coatings are recommended for better performance and longer tool life, especially when cutting conditions are demanded.

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J anuary 2015