TPT March 2010

T echnology U pdate

Increased polishing capabilities with 12-head polisher

mechanical 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. The company’s proprietary electro- polishing process attains 10μ-in Ra (0.25μm) ID maximum and 15μ-in Ra (0.4μm) ID maximum finishes. 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’s Electropolishing Center at Janesville uses a state-of-the-art deionised (DI) high purity water system, as well as an ISO 14644-1 Class 5 clean room. After the tube’s interior is electropolished, it is nitrogen purged, end capped, and bagged polisher,

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 for our customers throughout the world.” Polished tubing from RathGibson may be used in the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, chem- ical, petrochemical, power generation and solar industries. In addition to the 12-head

in a 6-mil poly sleeve. RathGibson – USA Fax: +1 847 276 2471 Website: www.rathgibson.com

RathGibson has installed a new 12-head polisher

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M arch 2010

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