TPT September 2009

T echnology U pdate

Taking control of trenchless technology

 The WR4 (below and left) and WR6 (bottom left) in action

WARRIOR, UK, claims to have come up with a solution to the problem of accurately controlling the direction of moleing systems. Accuracy is key when installing new pipe with mistakes potentially causing disruption to the surface, or damage to other services, negating the environmental benefits of using trenchless technology in the first place, and the company says that, with directional thrust boring, these issues can be minimised. Full-directional control Warrior equipment uses detection technology located in the head of the rod to accurately establish its location underground to within millimetres at any one time. The rod can be directed around obstacles such as tree roots, other

pipes, ducting and services until it emerges into the receiving pit. “Both the WR4 and WR6 work from compact starting pits and thrust a series of connecting rods into the ground,” explains Tony O’Brien, Warrior’s managing director.

is easily manoeuvred into place within the pit due to its compact and modular design. Lateral connections can be easily undertaken from open trenches. “The WR4 boasts a pushing rate of up to 2.7 metres per minute yet only weighs 168kg, so it can easily be manoeuvred and operated by just two people,” said Mr O’Brien. “The WR4 is capable of installing a 100mm diameter pipe and the WR6 up to 225mm, both in very compressed soils.” Warrior – UK Website : www.warriorworldwide.com This equipment is able to store up to 100 different welding parameters, including start, main and end-current flows. The integrated management control system provides the user with fast repetitive welding of different types of coil strip. The variable speed BSM three-phase, 230V, manual strip-end TIG welding machine has the capability to join 0.2-1.5mm coil strip in widths up to 250mm using both DC and pulse welding. Up to 100 different welding parameters can be stored, including several start and stop ramps. This machine, which is highly mobile, is supplied with gas flow meter, cutting unit with cut-out die and an electrode grinder. Shear-Form Machine Tools Ltd – UK Fax : +44 2476 695601 Email : sales@shear-form.co.uk Website : www.shear-form.co.uk

“Once the rods are in place the pipe or cable to be installed is attached to an expanding head in a receiving pit. The pipe or cable is then pulled into position and the rods are removed from the launch pit.” The WR4 only needs a launch pit measuring approximately 10cm wide by 15cm to operate and

SHEAR-FORMMachine Tools Ltd, is a sheet metal and plate working machinery supplier and sole UK representative for Swiss coil processing equipment manufacturer Soprem Automation AG. The automatic and manual strip welding machines available from the company provide an economical solution for joining the strip end from a processed coil with the beginning of a new coil. Soprem variable speed SGA strip-end TIG welding machines, with automatic strip cutting, strip positioning and welding, provide component fabricators using coil strips in their production with the capability to weld 0.2-1.5mm thick coils strip in widths up to 250mm using both DC and pulsed welding. Automatic and manual strip welding solutions

 An automatic strip end welder

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S eptember 2009

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