TPT January 2010

T echnology U pdate

RathGibson increases polishing capabilities

RATHGIBSON’s newly installed 12-head mechanical polisher, manufactured by Loeser GmbH, allows the company to offer ultra-fine OD finishes for its finest precision- engineered welded, welded and drawn, and seamless tubing. “We have established high internal standards to meet and exceed applicable regulations,” said Dave O’Donnell, director of process and product development. “The

challenges of customer specifications are also a priority to us. The new polisher allows us to meet even more polishing requirements.” Polished tubing from RathGibson may be used in the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical,chemical,petrochemical, power generation and solar industries. In addition to the 12-head mechanical polisher, RathGibson’s Janesville facility

also employs an 8-head mechanical polisher. Before a RathGibson tube enters a mechanical polisher, the ends are plugged to protect the tubing interior. As the tube travels through the polisher, it is covered with lubricant and abrasively polished at each head. After exiting the polisher, tubing is rinsed and air blows off any residuals before visual inspection, vinyl capping of the ends, line marking for complete traceability, and heat sealing in a poly-sleeve. While the 8-head mechanical polisher produces a 30μ-in Ra (0.8μm) OD maximum Ra surface roughness, the new 12-head mechanical polisher achieves less than 10μ-in Ra (0.25μm) OD Ra surface roughness. By electro-chemically polishing or removing metal, RathGibson achieves an interior surface that has minimal crevices, to greatly decrease the chances for microbial contamination. RathGibson – USA Fax: +1 847 276 2471 Website: www.rathgibson.com

RathGibson has installed a new 12-head polisher

  

                

56

J anuary 2010

www.read-tpt.com

›