TPT January 2012

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58 January 2012 ›
Technology Update
KISTLER pipe rotators are used for
clamping, rotating, and tilting of pipes in
manual and automatic welding, mainly
in the field of pipe construction, whether
prefabrication or assembly on site. Many
machines have been supplied for tube-to-
tube butt-welding processes.
There are three machines in the ‘U’ range,
the U150 (20mm to 200mm diameter pipe),
U500 (20mm to 400mm diameter pipe) and
U1000 (25mm to 800mm diameter pipe).
Kistler’s pipe rotators, with a patented
clamping roller system, have advantages
over traditional devices:
• They can be used for pipes with elbows,
tee-pieces, or other offset loads
• A wide range of pipes can be clamped.
The infinitely variable rotary speed is not
affected by the size of a pipe because of
its separate drive unit
• Quick precise centring and clamping
without a chuck or clamping shoe
• Flexible pipe handling – pipe can be
clamped at its centre of gravity
• Tilting moments and supports are
irrelevant in most cases
• Possible to centre two pipes with the
same diameter
• Various combinations are possible,
including clamping and driving of a main
spindle.
Standard pipe rotators are designed
to rotate work pieces 360° (forward/stop/
reverse) with variable speed control and
forward and backward tilt from horizontal.
Rotation and tilting may be performed
independently or simultaneously.
The tilting section consists of the drive
and roller box, holding column, clamping
arm, and pressure roller. Manual vertical
height adjustment of the clamping roller
system is included as standard on all units.
All the machines have optional extras
from directional foot pedals to Diablo pipe
supports.
Kistler ‘U’ range pipe manipulators are
sold exclusively in the UK by YPH Ltd of
Preston.
YPH Ltd – UK
Website:
Pipe handling and clamping
Kistler’s U150 model pipe rotators