TPT September 2015

Technology News

An evaluation of the variety of tube and pipe end preparation methods

is a method used for obtaining repetitive preparations, and quality often varies significantly. However, if these methods are employed in a workshop, they are less user-friendly when it comes to machining because the work pieces are often very heavy parts, or those that are difficult to transport, for example tubes of 12m (39ft). Moreover, the cost for specific operations is often very high. They undoubtedly represent an advantage. They carry out machining operations on tubes or elbows, wherever they are located. Quality is repetitive. Bevel geometries obtained are perfect. The weight and dimensions of these machines also allow them to be used in all positions and in diverse environments, including fabrication workshops. To meet such constraints, Protem has developed a wide range of portable power machining equipment. Anticipating needs and the knowledge to meet quality requirements is one of the key advantages of Protem. Flexibility, responsiveness and adaptation to the situation presented by their customers allow Protem to help its customers execute their industrial projects worldwide.

sophisticated technologies. Although inexpensive in terms of equipment using a metal saw is too slow and imprecise to be considered as a practical method of welding preparation. Grinding remains a rudimentary method and relatively inexpensive. This process can be used on a wide selection of materials and it will certainly make for quality welding preparations as soon as the operator becomes an excellent machinist. However, often this method cannot be used since the risk of fire or explosion exists from the emitted sparks. Moreover, besides the fact that this process is very noisy, it is also a source of workplace pollution, as the operator is exposed to metal dust that is produced during use. Finally, the precision obtained in this process is not guaranteed and is not repetitive, and metal particles that can accumulate on the tubes or other components can result in weld defects. Depending on the skills of the operator, satisfactory results can be obtained using cutting and preparation or plasma. The costs driven by the use of this method are still relatively low. Plasma cutting can be performed on hard materials. However, this method remains a nebulous process due to dirt, imprecise cutting path (ie not accounting for tube ovality and other variations), non-exact finishing of the prepared surface, and heat affected zones. The use of a lathe or boring machine

THE quality of end preparation makes a significant impact on the quality of the finished weld. If the weld preparation is excellent, then the weld has the best chance of being perfected, according to Protem USA. But what types of equipment and methods are appropriate, and under what circumstances should they be used? In some cases, very simple methods, while inexpensive, may not always meet the technical requirements of repeatability and tolerance. The question should be whether the use of such methods decreases productivity. Preparation for welding, which often constitutes the last stage of the manufacturing process, will not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but also obtains a finished product that will be representative of the final requirements and user expectations. Adequate preparation must, in particular, ensure that the pipe ends to be welded end to end are square. The type of preparation, and its geometry, will be dictated by welding engineers who consider the dimensions of the components, metallurgical characteristics of the components, weld thicknesses, expected welding rates, environmental conditions and other various constraints. Thus, the welding specifications determine the geometry of the bevel in light of these various parameters. The preparation methods, therefore, vary from the very simple to high tech

Protem USA Website: www.protemusa.com Protem – France Email: contact@protem.fr Website: www.protem.fr

Flaring machines from Italy UNISPEED USFL 90/37 ES is a new machine for 37° and 90° flaring of hydraulic rigid tube ends from OP Srl. The machine, which requires only one tool change to carry out the flaring operations, uses a cold orbital forming process to create a smooth, flat sealing surface at 90° and 37° with a suitable rugosity for the O-ring seal. The wide adjustment and 38mm for 5mm maximum thickness; at 37° between 6 and 42mm for 4mm maximum thickness. The machine is equipped with an electronic control with colour display and touchscreen, which allows optimisation of the work process and makes the USFL 90/37ES particularly suitable for volume production.

and tool automatic lubrication system. Upon request it can also be supplied with special voltage, electric pedal and barcode reading system. The USFL 90/37 ECO is the basic version of USFL 90/37ES. This model is supplied without electronic control, with touchscreen and with a reduced motor power of 2.38kW.

The machine can be fully programmed and set with the possibility of recalling recipes that have been previously used. It is equipped with a front tool-holder

OP Srl – Italy Email: info@op-srl.it Website: www.op-srl.it

configuration possibilities allow any flaring diameter and thickness to be obtained: at 90° between 6 and

42

www.read-tpt.com

S eptember 2015