TPT-January-2015

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Technology News
56 January 2015
Increase in pipe-cutting reliability
with new split-frame technology
ENERGY sector portable machine tool
specialist Mirage Machines, an Acteon
company, has achieved a step-change in
the operational efficiency and reliability
of cutting technologies for pipeline and
plant fabrication manufacturers and
contractors in the international energy
sector.
Rising fabrication and maintenance
project activity, including works on
wellhead, riser and caisson assemblies,
has significantly increased demand
from construction yards, operators
and dutyholders for new pipecutting
technologies across the Americas,
EMEA and Asia-Pacific.
UK-based manufacturer and supplier
Mirage Machines has evolved split-
frame machine technology with the
development of its MSF (Mirage Split-
Frame) machine, which is claimed to
improve the efficiency of pipecutting
operations on infrastructure composed
of heat-resistant, stainless and Super-
Duplex metals.
Mirage has developed innovative
new self-squaring capability for the
fully-portable MSF, reducing the risk
of installation error during operations
and significantly shortening the setup
process, maximising the operational
run-time of its equipment.
Richard Silk, managing director
of Mirage Machines, says the MSF
technology has applications in every
energy-producing region, and is already
being shipped worldwide to meet rising
demand generated by capex and opex
projects in new and existing oil and gas
infrastructure.
“The pipecutting marketplace is a
significant slice of the portable machine
tool supply chain, yet until now the
technology has not moved forward. The
majority of machines in use have been
based on an operational design which
hasn’t evolved in 30 years,” he said.
“We designed the MSF to bring about
the step change the industry needs
– reducing the weight of the machine
while improving its technical capability,
giving operators and service companies
a more reliable, durable pipecutting
tool which delivers excellent accuracy,
without interruption, at any scale.
“Due to the level of global demand, we
havealreadyincreasedourmanufacturing
capability at our headquarters in the UK
to deliver work-ready MSF machines
across the regions, and have focused
on being able to supply from stock in the
US and Australian markets to ensure that
Mirage customers can respond quickly to
the industry’s needs.”
Mirage Machines designs and
manufactures technologies for
applications including drilling and
tapping, flange facing, hot tapping and
line stopping, line boring, milling and
gantry milling, orbital milling, and pipe
and casing cutting.
Mirage Machines – UK
Website:
The MSF technology from Mirage Machines
Cutting tools and sawblades
CALEYRON Industries has specialised
in the manufacture of cutting tools since
it was established in 1933.
The company produces solid
carbide and HSS circular sawblades
and circular knives, as well as TCT
sawblades, from 20 to 600mm in
diameter.
The new generation of circular
sawblades provides a solution to the
cutting of all available steels and non-
ferrous metals.
Surface coatings are recommended
for better performance and longer tool
life, especially when cutting conditions
are demanded.
These blades allow higher cutting
speed and feed rates as well high
output.
Caleyron Industries SAS – France
Fax: +33 477 352 464
Email:
Website: