TPi January 2017

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January 2017 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL 27
products & developments
Pre-insulated piping
system for chilled media
Thermoplastic fluid flow technology firm
Asahi/America, Inc has introduced the
Coolsafe™ pre-insulated piping system
for chilled media.
Coolsafe is a complete system
consisting of a polyethylene inner
layer, polyurethane insulation core
and polyethylene outer layer. On-site
installation labour is reduced because
the pipe and fittings are pre-insulated
at the factory.
Coolsafe installs easily using
conventional butt or electrofusion
welding methods. The PE-inner by
PE-outer design allows the system to
be simultaneously butt welded, saving
installation time and providing a safer
installation.
The system’s components are moulded
and insulated to strict tolerances to
ensure easy installation and long-term
insulation of chilled media. Coolsafe
provides thermal conductivity better
than 0.026 W/m-K (0.015
Btu-ft/h-ft 2-F).
Coolsafe is available in
sizes from 32 to 250mm
(1" to 10") and is in stock
now at Asahi/America.
The pre-insulated piping
system includes a com-
plete range of fittings and
is supported by Asahi/
America’s welding equipment fleet. The
company’s Type-21 ball valves and Type-
57 butterfly valves can be incorporated
into the Coolsafe system to control flow.
Applications for the Coolsafe
piping system include commercial
refrigeration, brewery and winery
chilling, secondary cooling of food
production, cold storage facilities, and
central plant HVAC systems.
Asahi/America specialises in providing
solutions for fluid handling systems,
individualised to meet customers’
needs.
The company manufactures corrosion-
resistant thermoplastic fluid handling
products including valves, actuators,
pipe and fittings. It also maintains an
extensive custom fabrication department,
and provides on-site consultation,
supervision and training, where required.
Asahi/America, Inc – USA
Coolsafe pre-insulated piping system
Transformation from manufacturer
to full-service supplier
Following its vision and strategy,
the Tubacex Group states that it is
experiencing a transformation that
allows it to establish a close cooperative
relationship with its customers, with
the goal of developing and providing
comprehensive solutions to their
specific needs.
In recent years, a training and
adaptation process has taken place that
consists of reinforcement and increased
use of technology in the sales area;
strong development of R&D abilities;
inorganic growth to complete the
product portfolio; and development of
new products and processes for high-
demand applications.
The innovation strategy has been
adapted to offer new products and
comprehensive solutions resulting from
internal R&D activities. This has led to
the inclusion of two new key concepts:
alliances with partners or suppliers
of technology and complementary
products; and development of new
added-value services, based on the
needs of the customer.
In order to develop innovative solutions,
it is necessary to collaborate with the
customer in all of the phases of the
lifecycle, from its design to the operation
of the service.
Innovation management at Tubacex is
done under ‘open innovation’ principles,
which allows for the integration of
capacity and know-how from a network
of companies, including customers,
suppliers, research centres and partners
in general.
Most of the innovation projects that are
currently under development at Tubacex
were born from alliances with other
companies.
Tubacex has proprietary capacity for
the design of components and even
subsystems in collaboration with
external engineering firms. This design
capacity is complemented by a deep
knowledge of the materials and their
manufacturing processes.
The company is offering certain custom-
ers a growing portfolio of added-value
services, including finishing operations
(cut to measure, bevelling); advanced
surface treatments (shot peening,
coatings); logistics (project delivery
management, immediate delivery from
the warehouse); and pre-manufacturing
(curving, welding, grooving, finning).
Tubacex Group – Spain