TPT July 2012

Technology News

Underwater pipe cutting HGG, a specialist in 3D profiling, has introduced a line of underwater cutting machinery. With a unique 3D steel profile plasma cutting capability, HGG’s UWPC (under water pipe cutter) reduces grinding, fitting and welding time, leaving no metal slag on the inside of the pipe. alternatives in order to create complex bevels in thick-walled pipes. Using submerged plasma cutting, the UWPC provides a high output processing method for these complex bevels.

outfeed of parts and scrap); and operator interface. All HGGProfiling Equipment solutions are designed to profile complex bevelled edges and 3D profiles made from steel. Combining robotics, the company’s patented cutting head and proprietary software, HGG Profiling Equipment machinery enables users to cut angles from +70° to -70°. This capability ensures optimal weld preparation for precision part alignment, which in turn reduces welding and fitting costs. HGG Group BV – The Netherlands Fax: +31 227 501903

The UWPC can be customised to suit specific requirements. An example of this is the configuration supplied to Meyer Werft in Germany, which featured ERP integration (programming/work preparation/management information system); infeed buffer-chain conveyors; pipe support (linear positioning based on data files/levelling a few millimetres above water level); three-jaw chuck (automatic chucking); Y-carriage with cutting head (hi-definition plasma); water bed (integrated chuck/automatic circulation/integrated conveyor for

The UWPC is a pipe cutting machine specifically designed to eliminate the foundation of metal slag on the inside of pipes during the cutting process. The machine is suited for applications and sectors where such formations are undesirable or even prohibited, such as the process industry (headers, high alloy piping and synthetic piping). Due to these restrictions, companies have been forced to explore complicated

Email: sales@hgg-group.com Website: www.hgg-group.com

Automated cleaning of shafts and tubes

robot can perform the handling of the parts or nozzles, allowing the cleaning technology to be integrated into existing automation systems. The used water is cleaned by a special sedimentation method and operated in circulation. The company summaries the advantages for the user as: simple concept that assures a manageable investment and permits a fast realisation; a compact system that could be integrated without problems into the existing layout; full integration into the existing parts transport system; water recycling via circulating automatic system with waste water filtration; and the water jet does not splash back, so an expensive housing is not necessary. The low pressure, hot cleaning systems can be used in industrial production as mobile plants for different tasks. Starting with small series cleaning (without automation) over large components and tasks in maintenance, up to machine cleaning, the devices are all-rounders. They also protect the health of the operator and the environment due to the chemical-free cleaning method.

SUITABLE pre-cleaning and post- cleaning is frequently necessary, particularly in cases where tubes, shafts and continuous tapes are processed in high throughput. When using a conventional washing machine, the parts often have to be taken out of the existing automation and handled separately. ph-cleantec GmbH offers with its cleaning systems a space- saving alternative that can be integrated into existing automation designs. The basic technology is low pressure, hot cleaning devices. The high cleaning capacity of the systems is reached with hot water at a temperature of 95°C and a pressure up to 14 bar, as well as a water volume of up to 4 l/min. The capacity can be distributed to several nozzles and therefore reduced to approximately 3 bar per nozzle. This low pressure makes sure that there are no splash back effects and therefore the system does not need a special housing. The components can be brought into the cleaning station by simple – mostly existing – transport systems, and after cleaning they go into the further processing steps. The virtual cleaning cell is very compact, depending on the parts geometry. Integration into automation is effected by simple control engineering. Alternatively, a

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ph-cleantec GmbH – Germany Email: info@ph-cleantec.de Website: www.ph-cleantec.de

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July 2012