TPT November 2007

C utting, S awing & P rofiling T echnology

Another subcategory of the collet method is chain fixing, the biggest advantage of this being that it’s practically without limit of diameter. The principal disadvantage of the chain method is that it is difficult to set up and sometimes the cutter may wander, resulting in a spiral instead of a prepped end. In a case study, Dragados Offshore used portable bevellers from Protem to prepare duplex pipes in an offshore oil and gas project. The advantages of using high-tech portable tools were evident when Dragados Offshore SA was asked to build an LNG processing plant on Melkøya Island as part of Statoil’s Snøhvit project. In the past, the company had prepared large diameter hard-alloy pipes (stainless steel duplex and super duplex, P91 etc), using several methods, including cutting by flame or band saw, manual bevelling with abrasive discs or using a lathe. These methods proved unproductive, pollutive, low quality and inconvenient. Dragados Offshore asked Kalmia SA and its partner Protem to propose a method of machining pipes that avoided all these problems. Most of the conduction of this plant had to be constructed in duplex

The most important advantage of this method was a noticeable increase in productivity. The enhanced accuracy and repeatability of these machines leads to a reduction in the number of components needing to be scrapped and a reduction in the number of weld defects. Accurate end profiles mean that more advanced welding processes can be employed. Many automated welding systems need very accurate fit-up, and are very unforgiving if there are inaccuracies in the weld preparation. If an estimator can judge more accurately the time taken to perform end profiles, the total time allowed for the operation can be more easily quantified. This makes it easier to calculate labour costs and make a correct price quote. In most cases therefore it is of considerable benefit for companies to invest in the most advanced equipment available to enhance quality and productivity.

and super duplex pipes to handle high pressures in corrosive weather conditions. The weld preps were to be made in different configurations (30°, 37°, 30" and ‘J’ shape) and in different sizes and materials. Kalmia and Protem supplied portable tools for working pipes ranging from 1-42". Low- speed bevellers were provided using high- speed steel tool bits for the lower sizes, and high-speed bevellers using carbide inserts for the bigger sizes. Most of the tools were supplied with hydraulic drives, due to a more stable working torque. Dragados Offshore thus worked all weld preps in hard alloy tubes with Protem portable bevellers. › Protem’s portable tube cutting and pipe bevelling machine

Protem GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 7247 9393 33

Email : n.reicher@protem-gmbh.de Website : www.protem-gmbh.de

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ASD Automation und Sondermaschinenbau GmbH 40436 Düsseldorf, P.O. Box 33 03 27, Germany Tel. +49 (0)211 656006, Fax +49 (0)211 656468 www.asd-gmbh.de; info@asd-gmbh.de

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N ovember /D ecember 2007