TPT November 2010

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November 2010 61 ›
Technology Update
CRC-Evans has integrated CMT (cold
metal transfer) technology with its P450
automatic welding machine, creating new
parameters of quality and speed for work on
small-diameter pipe. This equipment offers
advanced capabilities that the company
claims can make a significant difference in
productivity for offshore projects.
CRC-Evan’s CMT robotic technology
controls all functions digitally with advanced
software that instantly processes welding
data. Equipped with continuous digital
feedback, CMT boosts response time for
the power supply and executes precise
control of the AC servo wire feed motor. 5G
and 2G root bead passes are completed
rapidly and perfectly. No copper backup
clamp is required.
“This technology is game-changing for
small-diameter offshore and spoolbase
pipeline operations,” said Paul DeWeese,
president of CRC-Evans Automatic Welding.
CRC-Evans Automatic Welding designs
and builds automatic welding systems for
land and offshore pipeline construction. In
addition to renting or selling these systems
to contractors on a project basis, the division
provides other specialised services such as
engineering, on-site technicians and training.
The company is a subsidiary of CRC-Evans
Pipeline International, a provider of equipment
for the construction of pipelines.
CRC-Evans Automatic Welding – USA
Fax: +1 832 249 3292
Email:
Website:
A GLOBAL oversupply of goods is forcing
many producers of consumer goods
to produce an increasing number of new
products for any possible target group. As a
consequence their suppliers have to deal with
an increasing number of product variants and
often drastically reduced lead times. Many
tube and profile producers are not prepared
to manage this challenge. Roll tool change-
over techniques require too much time. At
the same time, the companies are forced to
reduce their inventory cost in order to meet
cost targets.
Dreistern has developed a number of
technologies that allow for an efficient
counter strategy. They target two main
areas: Reduction of the required time for a
product change to a few minutes, in order
to allow the producer to supply small batch
sizes without the need for intermediate
storing; and enhanced capability to
produce completely different products on
one production line. This provides the tube
manufacturer with the possibility to not
only produce round tubes but also complex
welded and open sections.
The system ensures that all tool
parameters are set and the new product can
be produced within the required tolerances
and without need for additional adjustment.
Dreistern GmbH & Co – Germany
Fax: +49 7622 391 88 200
Email:
Website:
Improved
capacity
CMT robotic technology