TPi September 2017

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September 2017 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL 29
products & developments
Simulating the bending process
Depending on the application,
bending can be a faster
and cheaper alternative to
welding, which makes the
investment in a pipe-bending
machine attractive for many
companies.
Beyond the savings in
fabricating time and material
costs, additional savings
on NDT and QC can lead
to increased efficiency and
productivity in fabrication.
There are additional ways
to maximise the benefits of
a pipe-bending machine,
however, and this is where the
software application is of importance.
With the right software, the operator
can easily generate or import pipe
geometries and simulate the bending
sequence, which allows for the detection
of potential collisions or other problems
(eg bends that are too close together)
before the pipe is scheduled to go into
fabrication.
In the case of a collision, the software will
attempt to find an alternative bending
sequence, which can vary depending
on the complexity of the spool and the
capability of the machine.
From a simple reversal of the bending
order (last point first) or the rotation
direction, to a change of the bending
direction on multi-stack machines,
RONIKolli7 from 3R solutions will test a
number of scenarios for feasibility.
In addition to simply checking for
collision, RONIKolli7 can generate the
required CNC data, so the operator
at the machine knows exactly what to
enter.
In many cases this data can be provided
in a format that the machine can
process, so the operator only has to
confirm the data on the screen.
Since the pipe retains a certain amount
of elasticity, it will try to return to its
original shape after bending. Therefore,
in order to achieve a specific angle, the
actual bending angle at the machine
has to be slightly larger, so that after
springback the pipe has the desired
shape. In addition, rotary
draw bending results in a
certain amount of stretching,
so the last segment of the
pipe spool is a little longer.
In RONIKolli7, the operator
can create and manage
a record of all materials
and dimensions that are
processed on each machine.
By making test bends,
measuring them and tracking
the results, it is possible to
create a material master file
that enables the software
to calculate the required
adjustment to bending angles
and cutting length, so the bending result
matches the drawing.
3R solutions states that a pipe-shop that
integrates RONIKolli7 into its processes
can achieve increases in efficiency, as
the software can be used to: reduce
the danger of collisions; confirm that a
pipe is bendable without the need to
create a wire model; compensate for
material factors; provide CNC data for
the bending process; prepare freely
customisable work sheets/reports for
the operator; simulate a bending process
for flanged pipes and calculation of
flange rotation; and calculate potentially
required extensions.
3R solutions – Germany
Among other features, RONIKolli7 can detect potential collisions
Valves in the power industry
Quarter-turn, air valves and check
valves from Val-Matic are designed to
meet the needs of the power generation
industry in various areas from renewable
power to natural gas, nuclear energy, oil
and coal.
The company’s quarter-turn valves
include the QuadroSphere® trunnion
mounted ball valve, Ener•G® ball valve,
American-BFV® butterfly valve and the
Cam•Centric® plug valve, which are
all problem-solving valve options in a
variety of power applications.
The QuadroSphere trunnion ball valves
can handle solids/abrasives and high-
pressure requirements for valves of the
power generation industry.
Air valves are key elements in a piping
system because they help to maintain
design efficiency and provide system
protection.
Air valves also help to stabilise and
automatically relieve the pressure that
can often build up in a pipeline. Val-
Matic’s check valves can be selected
based on their overall design and
engineering efficiency, longevity and
variety.
The check valves are available in a wide
range of metallurgies, seating materials
and coatings to handle substances from
potable water to abrasive slurries and
corrosive chemicals.
Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing
Corp – USA