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Technology
Update
52
M
ay
/J
une
2007
Idroinox Impianti Srl, Italy, constructs,
assembles, and installs stainless steel
processing plants. The company was
one of the first in Europe to take its orbital
welding equipment out of the plant and into
customer locations in order to complete the
installation of its specialised equipment.
This played an important part in enabling
manufacturers to develop the portable
commodity products used in modern
automatic welding.
It also helped speed the
development and use of closed
chamber weld head technology
in orbital welding.
In the mid-1980s Idroinox welders,
who were installing some of the company’s
processing equipment in the United States,
saw for the first time a closed chamber
welding torch made by Astro Arc, a small
Californian company that supplied the
official welding torch used at NASA and
in the aerospace industry. Idroinox was
already in talks with Polysoude, France, to
purchase its first orbital welding equipment,
when Polysoude purchased Astro Arc.
Idroinox was soon convinced of the benefits
of welding stainless steel tube and pipe
using orbital welding, to fabricate and
assemble its complete preparation rooms.
Rather than compromise the quality of
its work with a bad weld in the field, the
company began taking its orbital welding
equipment on installation trips to customer
locations.
While orbital welding systems were proven
products at the time, it was companies like
Idroinox that provided vendors with the
feedback to make reliable, efficient portable
power supplies that would withstand the
varying environments in the field. Not only
did Idroinox make many suggestions, but
the company field force tested many ideas
and prototypical equipment. This led to
valuable feedback regarding factors such
as the position of the head in enclosed
areas, and the chilling system.
In its field installation activity in various
countries, Idroinox encounters many
different welding standards. For example,
its welders must be certified by the Italian
Institute of Welding in accordance with its
ASME 9 code.
With the European Union’s attempts at
standardisation, this issue will grow less
complicated, but Idroinox also undertakes
work in non-EU countries, such as
fi
Orbital welding on-site
Onsite orbital welding advantages
for stainless steel plants
‹
Well-prepared
tubes are vital to
guarantee the weld
result