TPI January 2014

products & developments

Precision tubes for critical applications Fine Tubes, a manufacturer and global distributor of precision tubes for critical applications, has been supplying the aerospace industry for over 50 years. One of the few suppliers qualified to produce the high strength titanium tubes used in the hydraulic systems of the Airbus A380, Fine Tubes is also involved in the development of the high pressure hydraulic tubing for the Airbus A350 XWB, due to go into service in 2014. Fine Tubes was selected as the supplier for the high quality seamless titanium tubing required for the chemical propulsion system (CPS) of the Solar Orbiter.

Fine Tubes has also been working in partnership with Reaction Engines on the development of the aerospace heat exchanger for the SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine). Combining jet and rocket engines in a single power plant, SABRE is being developed to enable Skylon, the world’s first reusable space plane, both to take off and land on a runway and to exit the Earth’s atmosphere. Each engine will require over 2,000km of tubing, and Fine Tubes has custom-made a high-pressure tube from the nickel alloy Inconel.

Due to be launched in 2017, the satellite will perform close-up observations of the Sun, and during its seven-year mission will experience levels of sunlight thirteen times higher than satellites orbiting the Earth. Fine Tubes was selected for the project because of its ability to develop tubing that can meet the exacting requirements of space – cleanliness, survivability in a hostile environment, and zero maintenance. With its expertise in the manufacture of the tiny tubing essential for pre-cooler systems,

Besides the company’s involvement in the commercial and military aerospace sector, Fine Tubes also supplies various space programmes set to take its products beyond the earth’s atmosphere.

Fine Tubes Ltd – UK www.finetubes.com

Five decades of experience Starofit is a major supplier for steel, alloy steel and stainless steel butt- welding fittings in Europe. Starofit has a permanent fittings stock of 6,500 tons Stainless steel seamless pipe For over 20 years Amodil Supplies Ltd has been a supplier of stainless steel seamless pipe and tubes to the UK market. As the sole UK agent for the Tubacex Group in Spain, and representing interests for Productos Tubulares Spain and its parent company Tubos Reunidos of Spain, the Amodil Group is in a position to supply a comprehensive range of seamless pipes from 1 / 8 " NB to 24" NB in a full range of standard and non-standard schedules and wall thicknesses manufactured to specific customer requirements. In addition to seamless pipes, Amodil offers a range

of seamless tubing from 6 to 180mm OD, 1 to 20mm wall, depending on a combination of OD/ID, manufactured to order.

Amodil Supplies Ltd – UK sales@amodil.co.uk www.amodil.co.uk

customers’ requests. Its holdings range from a large stock of ASME and EN/DIN standardised products to highly specialised elbows and fittings with extreme wall thicknesses and dimensions. With a rigorous supplier selection process in place, only products from ISO, PED and TÜV approved manufacturers are accepted. The company also specialises in demand-based tailor-made elbows and fittings to cater to complex requirements, and provides products that are sustainable under extreme conditions (eg temperature, pressure and mediums).

International orientation has always been one of Starofit’s focuses. The company has been actively strengthening its international presence and customer base. In order to better support the growing volume and to meet rising international demands, Starofit has reorganised its export departments, and formed a new team of fittings specialists who are dedicated to serve international customers. With the additional flexibility contributed by this team, the company is able to provide rapid deliveries to customers abroad.

WP 304H, dimensions ½" to 8", and has also improved its ability to fulfil demands for duplex stainless steels. It stocks fittings and elbows in material 1.4462 that are 3.2 TÜV certified in accordance with VdTÜV 418. Starofit has a permanent fittings stock of 6,500 tons, which enables it to provide prompt responses to

Starofit Klose GmbH & Co KG – Germany

sales@starofit.de www.starofit.de

The company now holds in stock seamless elbows and fittings in material

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Tube Products International January 2014

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