TPT November 2011

B ending & T ube M anipulation

Optimisation of material properties FABRICOM, Belgium, a manufacturer of induction bends, has the advanced technological and machine operating capabilities required to produce pipe spools with bends in multiple planes from a single length of straight pipe. This advanced bending technique is the result of experience gained throughout more than 30 years of manufacturing and development work, and is of particular value in onshore and offshore oil and gas pipeline systems as well as specific applications in the chemical, petrochemical and energy sectors. integrity and safety while reducing the required amount of in-service inspection. Fabricom operates six induction bending machines with diameters of up to 64", all of which offer a high degree of flexibility in terms of bend radius, bend angle and bend plane, and being computer controlled, are able to achieve close tolerances. The company is able to work with all types of material, including seamless or welded pipes in carbon steel and stainless steel, as well as the most sophisticated alloy steels.

normalising and tempering heat treatment, quenching heat treatment, and quenching and tempering heat treatment. In order to be able to perform these types of heat treatment, Fabricom has five furnaces, all of which can be heated to 1,200°C. In order to meet the strict requirements set by the oil and gas industry with regards to corrosion resistance and superior material hardness, Fabricom also has a quench tank at its facilities in Belgium. Following heat treatment, bends can be cooled down immediately in order to obtain the right resistance and hardness. Fabricom – Belgium Fax: +32 2 251 17 90 Email: bending.be@fabricom-gdfsuez.com Website: www.fabricom-gdfsuez.com

Some of the key benefits of producing weldless pipe spools from straight pipes are that it reduces the amount of welding required, and as such the associated costs and risks; and by reducing the number of welds in the system, increases plant

After bending, especially of heavy wall materials or special alloy steels, it may be necessary to restore the mechanical properties using heat treatment. Such treatments include stress relieving heat treatment, normalising heat treatment,

End forming/roll forming machine MANCHESTER Tool & Die Inc offers the hydraulically operated Model M10-H- 3-R End Forming/Roll Forming Machine, featuring standard MTD components and using the same tooling as the M71-H-3 and 24008 machines. unloading systems allows tube end forms requiring end forming and roll forming processes to be completed without any staging of materials used between processes.

The M10 can also be designed with a 6-position end form station for tube end forms that require components to be assembled onto the tube before the rolling processes. The machine footprint is 72" wide x 96" deep. Manchester Tool & Die Inc – USA Email: testeffen@mtdtube.com Website: www.manchestertoolanddie.com

The M10-H-3-R offers the HMI (Human Machine Interface) user-friendly, programmable flexible control system and includes diagnostics for machine maintenance. The end forming and roll forming stations are positioned so the operator can load and unload both clamp areas. A design offering future auto loading and

Free-standing bending machines GREGSON Induction Benders Ltd, UK, has 30 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of induction bending machines. In the late 1970s and early 80s there was a high demand for quality large bore pipe bending for the oil and gas industries. During this period the company developed machines to meet these demands. to develop a range of advanced, free- standing machines where the bending moment is contained within the machine chassis. The machines were initially developed for internal use only, but the company quickly started to receive enquiries to supply machines.

to bend structural steel as well as pipe, giving greater flexibility. Features of Gregson machines include the capability to perform compound bending, a unique induction coil design, top or end loading, infinite bend radius, user-friendly and easy to operate, composite arrangements, low-cost tooling, and flexible software packages. Gregson Induction Benders Ltd – UK Fax: +44 1782 641020 Email: gregson_1@btinternet.com Website: www.gregsoninductionbenders.com

Modern Gregson bending machines are used throughout the world in all major pipe-bending industries. The latest installation is a 36" machine for a bending company based in Houston, Texas. This machine has been adapted

Acknowledging the weakness and shortcomings of machines that use the workshop floor as an integral part of the foundation support, Geoff Gregson formed a team of professional engineers

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N ovember 2011

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