TPT-January-2015

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Technology News
36 January 2015
Continuous casting technology
UPCAST OY is a supplier of Upcast®-
SGTube production lines for upward
casting of thin-walled Cu-DHP tubes
ready for further processing into various
high quality tube products.
The continuous casting technology
offers a shortcut in copper tube
production process, requiring one-step
compared with the traditional multi-
step tube production. It is an extension
of the Upcast system used for casting
Cu and Cu-alloy rod, and shares the
same inherent benefits of the standard
system, with specific construction of the
casting machine, coilers and casting
machine tooling.
The Upcast-SG cast tube has a
fine grain structure, allowing for its
straight breakdown drawing followed by
inductive in-line annealing. To ensure
complete softening a total area reduction
of at least 50 per cent is required before
intermediate annealing.
Upcast rod and Upcast-SGTube
lines are both of modular design,
offering solutions for small and medium
capacities. With a double-furnace
configuration (separate melting and
casting furnaces) it is possible to reach
12,000 tpa.
Sizes of tube with outer diameters
from 38 to 60mm have been cast,
with wall thicknesses of 2mm/3mm
respectively. Different tube sizes can be
cast simultaneously when the casting
machine is equipped with more than
one servo-drive system. The smaller the
final tube size, the smaller the cast tube
size. With respect to coil weight Upcast-
SGTube is flexible, with an upper limit
of around 1.5 tons. The final weight limit
is more likely to be determined by the
downstream process equipment.
The main use of Upcast-SGTube is
in the casting of phosphor deoxidised
(DHP) copper tube for the production
of sanitary, industrial and ACR tubing.
However, the process is not limited to
DHP copper, and is also suitable for
other copper grades/copper alloys.
Oxygen-free copper and copper nickel
alloys have all been successfully cast.
Having the Upcast-SGTube process
as the first step of tube production line
is claimed to be cost effective due to
smaller energy consumption, as well
as providing a small environmental
footprint. It is also possible to use clean
and dry scrap in the process with the
double-furnace configuration. Further
savings can be gained through the
smaller space requirement of the line.
Upcast OY – Finland
Fax: +358 207 577 401
Email:
Website:
Lathe designed with safety in mind
TRI TOOL has announced the new
RBL-G2, the next generation in
clamshell lathes. Designed to be faster,
better and safer, the RBL-G2 is built for
safety, performance and speed.
Safety is a core value at Tri Tool, and
a primary goal of Tri Tool’s engineers
when tackling both design and redesign
projects. “We wanted to eliminate as
many pinch points on the new RBL-G2
as possible,” stated Justin Tripp, PE,
manager of engineering.
“Our engineering team developed
an innovative and patent-pending tool
block design that allows for the tripper
mechanism to remain in a fixed and low-
profile location adjacent to the tapered
drive housings. The result is significantly
fewer pinch points throughout the entire
usable range of the machine.”
In addition to addressing safety, Tri
Tool examined every aspect of the
clamshell lathe design and improved
performance, speed and ease of
use while maintaining the power and
durability customers have come to
expect.
The newly redesigned RBL-G2 will
now sever and bevel up to three times
faster with new high speed, in-line and
right angle motor options in a single
drive housing which adds flexibility
and reduces machining time without
compromising power.
“We’ve also simplified the tool bit
setup which should save the operator
time and reduce the amount of training
needed to operate the machine,”
stated Ash Ferozepurwalla, PE, lead
engineer.
The new, economical high speed
carbide sever kit allows for sequential
sever and bevel operations with
minimal setup and without having to
reposition the clamshell lathe.
Tri Tool Incorporated is a privately
held, global company in the manufacture
of portable precision equipment
specifically designed for pipe bevelling,
flange facing, in-line cutting, multi-
process welding, high performance
pipeline machinery, and a wide range of
internal line-up clamps. In addition, Tri
Tool offers on-site machining and code
welding services, special engineering
and custom machine design and
equipment rental.
Tri Tool – USA
Website:
Double-furnace configuration