TPT March 2011

T echnology U pdate

Pipe machinery from one source

A STRATEGIC alliance between the companies Gräbener Maschinentechnik (Germany), Weldec (Germany) and Fontijne Grotnes (Netherlands) offers turnkey solutions for LSAW pipe mills from one source. The alliance accumulates the knowledge of each company’s expertise. Gräbener is a manufacturer of machines for the fabrication of large pipes; welding specialist Weldec is a subsidiary of the EEW Group; and Fontijne Grotnes has been active in designing and manufacturing mechanical full length pipe expanders for more than 40 years. Particularly with regard to optimal LSAW pipes, it is essential to ensure a consistent manufacturing process between each machine. For example, it is important to modulate the forming process between a three-roll bending machine, a bending press, a post-bending press and a continuous root tacking machine precisely to get a perfect result for the following procedure. To ensure the cleanest possible welding process to join the individual tubes,

Gräbener banks on a plate edge milling machine before bending the plate. Circ and long seam milling machines as well Weldec welding facility

as end bevelling machines complete the Gräbener machine portfolio. For welding in SAW long and circ welding facilities, Weldec provides CNC- controlled inside and outside welding facilities with 1 to 5 wire technique up to 8,000mm outside diameter, 120m component length and 1,000t unit weight. Weldec supplies systems for the non- destructive testing of oil and gas pipes, especially ultrasonic, X-ray digital and hydrostatic testing devices. This means not only experience in building steel pipes for oil and gas transport but also for on- and offshore wind tower constructions. To meet the standards for longitudinally welded large diameter pipes in the oil and gas industry, eg according to API, the full length pipe expander from Fontijne Grotnes ensures a constant, uniform and reproducible process. Gräbener Maschinentechnik GmbH & Co KG – Germany Website: www.graebener-group.de Email: info@weldec.de Website: www.weldec.de Fontijne Grotnes BV – The Netherlands Fax: +31 10 435 26 55 Email: info@fontijnegrotnes.com Website: www.fontijnegrotnes.com Weldec GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 2753 5070 330

Gräbener pipe forming press

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M arch 2011

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