TPT July 2010

I ndustry N ews

Radar station gets emergency power upgrade

and delivered to the generator, ensuring continuous power supply to the radar station. Key to the design is the use of electro- fusion jointing technology, used to bond pipe together. This uses an electrical heat induction process to create a simultaneous bond of both inner and outer pipes, to form a completely enclosed fail-safe system. Components and jointing equipment, some sourced from Italy, were supplied to site via the early morning 6.30am ferry from the mainland to Lewis, arriving at Stornoway in time for work to begin. Commenting on the project, David Williamson from Ness Engineering Ltd said: “This refurbishment of the emergency power supply was a large part of our development at Stornoway this year, and we required a product that we could be certain would deliver quality and reliability in the case of an emergency. “We found the quality of Durapipe PLX excellent and were particularly impressed with the superb customer service we received during the project itself, as well as the after care and communication. We look forward to working with Pipe Center and Durapipe UK again in the future.” Following the success of the project, Pipe Center has orders for seven similar emergency power refurbishment projects in the pipeline. Wolseley UK Email: francesca.hanikova@wolseley.co.uk Website: www.wolseley.co.uk

PIPE Center has supplied specialist fuel pipe for a new emergency power system at Stornoway radar station on the Isle of Lewis, off the West coast of Scotland. The Durapipe PLX pipe is being used as part of a refurbishment of the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) radar facility, which monitors and controls aircraft and collects weather data. The emergency power system is designed to provide vital back-up in the event of mains electrical failure, to ensure the safety of domestic and international airplanes. The refurbishment is part of a £127mn programme to replace and upgrade the entire NATS radar network by 2012. The installation was carried out by Ness Engineering, which undertakes specialist engineering and construction projects throughout Scotland’s highlands and islands. Durapipe PLX pipe was specified to transport diesel oil from the storage tank to the stand-by emergency generator, as it

meets critical requirements for integrity and reliability. It replaced existing steel pipework installed previously. Available in sizes 32mm and 160mm, Durapipe PLX secondary contained systems have exceptional resistance to rapid crack propagation and long-term stress cracking. PLX is also highly cost-effective and much easier to work with than traditional metal alternatives. Pipe Center also supplied Ness Engineering with a bespoke railing system for the fuel pipework support structure. Lindsay Crockett of Pipe Center’s Glasgow branch, which handled the order, said: “Ness Engineering sent us outline drawings for the project. We worked closely with Durapipe to assess the materials and component requirements and ensure everything was delivered on time – including a 6.30am ferry trip to the island!” The design chosen was based on a dual containment pipe system. This has a primary inner fuel pipe running inside a larger outer

pipe that encloses the primary inner pipe. In the unlikely event of a rupture, fuel flowing through the primary pipe is securely captured

Trumpf expansion

TRUMPF Inc has announced that Hegman Machine Tool Inc is now the exclusive representative for Trumpf products for the entire State of Wisconsin, USA. The company has long covered Nebraska, Western Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Wisconsin for Trumpf, and now the distributor has added the remainder of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the territory it represents for Trumpf. Hegman Machine Tool Inc is a privately held Twin Cities-based machine tool distributor that promotes high quality machine tools and provides a combination of services and support. “We have been in business for more than 27 years and are excited at the prospect of working with the exceptional companies located in the Eastern portion of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” said Ralph H Hegman, president. “Our accomplishments over these past many years have been because our customers have been so successful with our Trumpf machines and automated systems.” Trumpf Inc – USA Fax: +1 860 255 6424 Email: melanie.mcmillan@us.trumpf.com Website: www.us.trumpf.com

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J uly 2010

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