TPT September 2011

T echnology U pdate

MAG orbital welding in TIG quality

A NUMBER of competing orbital welding processes have become established on the market for providing economical pipe connection in the construction of pipelines and for DN300 or larger lines laid in the ground for a pipeline. For example, a seam root can be joined using the tungsten inert gas (TIG) process, and then the fill and final passes processed with metal active

gas (MAG) welding. These two processes require two sources of power. Another example is the purely MAG welding process used in America, which requires a lot of additional processing. Both solutions make field work and work done in the workshop more difficult and expensive. EWM Hightec Welding manufactures a complete automated orbital welding system

that handles every joining task at the pipe in an exemplary way: the pipeTruck orbital pipe welding system with track system; the dynamic multi-process inverter power source alpha Q, with patented welding processes pipeSolution, coldArc, forceArc, superPuls process switching and the pulse arc; automatic welding torches (AMT); and welding consumables. The pipeSolution automatedMAGprocess for root welding offers welding speeds up to five times faster in comparison to manual TIG welding, and the seam is up to 100% X-ray proof. EWM says that this provides MAG welding in TIG quality. No second power source is required for subsequent welding of the fill and final passes. The alpha Q is equipped with a double wire feeder for optional supply with additional welding wire (solid or flux cored wire). To change the seam type, all that is required is to exchange the torch. The system is then ready to continue working at the push of a button. A deposition rate of up to five times higher in comparison to MMA welding can be achieved with flux cored wire. With the commonly used purely MAG process, root welding with the short arc is followed by grinding out in preparation for filling, ie removal of excess weld metal and uneven sidewalls. With pipeSolution from EWM, all that is required is brushing to remove silicates from the seam surface. Further passes are created step by step without expensive intermediate work. Fill and final passes are welded as per the customer’s wishes or according to the WPS, either with the pulse arc or flux cored wire. The orbital welding system from EWM welds at high speed and with high precision in the vertical-down and vertical- up positions. The control of the alpha Q also offers the option of dividing up the process into programmable sections. Convenience is increased by jobs already integrated in the system. The pipe welding carriage (tractor), weighing only 19kg, can be placed effortlessly on the stainless- steel track system, which is available for most pipe dimensions from 300mm and up. The standard remote control allows the operator to fully monitor the orbital joining process and to make any necessary corrections. EWM Hightec Welding GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 2680 181 244

UNIVERSAL TUBE & ROLLFORM EQUIPMENT CORPORATION www.utubeonline.com / sales@utubeonline.com

Specializing in Used & Reconditioned Tube Mills and Rollformers for over 25 years!

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S eptember 2011

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