TPT July 2008

T echnology U pdate

Delivery of automated heat exchanger manufacturing solution

Eagle Precision Technologies Limited, Canada, has designed, manufactured and delivered a unique machine for the automated assembly of heat exchangers. As a result of a customer request, Eagle was challenged to design and manufacture a machine for the assembly of heat exchangers in a more effective process, to offset the higher cost of the technology used to meet new efficiency standards. The main component of home heating furnaces, both forced air and hot water, is the heat exchanger. This component takes the heat produced by burning fuel and transfers it to the water or air for distribution throughout the house. The HX (heat exchanger) tubes must be assembled to the HX panel ensuring an airtight lock so that internal combustible gas does not escape into the ventilation chamber of the furnace. This lock must also be verified to a predetermined ‘leak rate’ that adheres to industry standards.

The most common method for fastening the two components is the ‘ridge lock’. This process involves introducing a set of segmented expand tooling into the tube and expanding a bead around both sides of the panel flange. The result is an interference lock between the HX tube and the HX panel. Eagle has supplied this proven technology to the industry for over 20 years. The problem has always been the slower cycle times required to complete larger, multiple tube panels. Also, inspection of the completed assembly required a second operation. Eagle’s new line of fully automated heat exchanger assembly machines for the HVAC industry offers the latest in automation technology. With this new platform, the HX panel is scanned and loaded into the assembly station. The correct part program is automatically selected and with the touch of a button, the sequence is initiated. When the next configuration is scanned, the new parameter is automatically set, allowing for zero changeover time. After the components are locked in place, the entire assembly is leak tested before being ejected for transport to the final furnace assembly station. This new turnkey solution offers users decreased floor-to-floor cycle times, fully programmable indexing for multiple part configurations and fully integrated leak test capabilities for assured real time quality assurance of components. Eagle’s HVAC assembly solution includes heat exchanger lines capable of assembling 80-90+ per cent dual stage efficiency furnace components.

 The new Eagle 80+ HVAC assembly machine

According to customer estimates, the new automated solution is 48 per cent faster than the previous manufacturing process, providing significant production savings. Eagle Precision Technologies Ltd – Canada Fax : +1 519 756 0195

Email : sales@eaglept.com Website : www.eaglept.com

A growing range of ERW tube and pipe

 A typical heat exchanger assembly

Conros Group, India, is the manufacturer of black and galvanised ERW steel tube, pipe and hollow sections from ½" to 4". A diversified company with facilities in Khopoli, India, Conros undertakes activities including steel manufacturing and trading. The group has expanded its capacities by introducing new state-of-the-art equipment, imported from USA and Europe. The equipment will be used to manufacture larger diameter pipes and API line pipes from 2½" to 8" diameter, and square and rectangular hollow structural sections. Conros manufactures tubular pipes in ½" to 4" diameter, and square and rectangular sections from 15x15mm to 100x100mm. The products are produced according to international and Indian standards including IS, ASTM, DIN, BS, EN, JIS and ISO. The company’s upcoming developments include API 5L accreditation (for 3" to 8" up to grade X70) by December 2008, and UL listing (ie UL 6, UL 797 and UL 1242 for conduits) also by December 2008. FM approval (for fire fighting systems) and CE marking approval (for European markets)

New tube straightening and cutting machine Ravni Technologies, France, has launched a new tube straightening and cutting machine. The machine is designed to achieve a very good straightness of around 0.1mm per metre. By using a rotary straightener equipped with preset dies, setting is

easily carried out, and the straightness quality does not change along the coil. The cutting operation (fixed or flying device) is operated by a slitting saw or a wheel according to specific require- ments. The machine can straighten stainless steel, copper, aluminium or coated tube, from 40 to 80 metres/min. Ravni Technologies – France

are both under proposal. Conros Group – India Fax : +91 22 2660 5454

Fax : +33 477 90 58 65 Email : info@ravni.com Website : www.ravni.com

 The new straightening and cutting machine from Ravni Technologies

Email : info@conros-group.com Website : www.conros-group.com

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J uly 2008

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