TPT November 2013

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Welding technology
November 2013 109
HF welding simplified for diverse
API product manufacturer
ONE of the world’s largest suppliers of
ERW pipes has completed the install-
ation of a new 800kW HAZControl™
technology dual (induction/contact)
solid state HF welder at one of its North
American facilities. Dedicated to serving
the growing demand of the global oil
and gas industry, the North American
producer chose Thermatool to
meet API standards required by
its customers.
The organisation has a wide
product matrix of API products
ranging from 4.5" to 8.6" OD
and 0.188" to 0.5" wall pipe.
The manufacturer chose
Thermatool’s HAZControl™
Technology Welder software
for the ability to select HF
weld power and frequency in
±1kW and 1kHz increments,
resulting in industry leading heat
input control during welding.
To maximise up-time during product
change-over, the predictive algorithm
built into the HAZControl™ technology
software guides operators to the initial
heat settings. When a product has
been tested and proven successful, the
software allows operators to store and
then easily recall welding recipes so
HF welding variability is reduced and
repeatability is achieved regardless
of operator know-how or shift-to-shift
operations.
The dual welding option offers the
manufacturer many product options
with the flexibility of using two welding
processes, induction or contact, on
one welding system. This gives the
pipe producer the ability to achieve
significant power savings when welding
large diameter pipe with high frequency
contact welding, yet still choose the
induction welding process when needed.
With the new equipment in place, the
manufacturer can reliably produce high
quality API and proprietary grade pipe to
meet the growing demand of the global
oil and gas industry.
Thermatool Corp – USA
Email:
Website:
Compact,
robust welder
for the toughest
conditions
ENERGY-saving and cost-efficient arc
welding technology was the focal point
of EWM’s appearance at Schweissen &
Schneiden 2013.
With its BlueEvolution sustainability
initiative, Germany’s largest manu-
facturer and one of the leading suppliers
worldwide in this field allows welding
to be both environmentally friendly and
economical across the whole product
range.
This is also true of one of the
company’s trade fair highlights: the
new “Pico 350 cel puls” is very energy
efficient due to its standby function.
But most importantly, the MMA inverter
power source is extremely sturdy and
exceptionally powerful, and can also be
used for MIG/MAG CC and CV welding
as well as TIG lift arc
welding.
The Pico 350 cel
puls can be used in
temperatures of -25 to +40
degrees and in extremely
tough conditions due to
its specially constructed
base. It is also impervious
to dirt and water. This
makes it particularly
suitable for offshore environments
and for pipeline, steel and bridge
construction.
The new welding machine’s cellulose
electrodes also make it up to 100 per
cent safe for vertical-down welding. It
also masters vertical-up welds thanks
to the new PF pulse function. Complete
generator compatibility, operation on
extension cables up to 200m long and
VRD functionality allow the Pico 350 to
be deployed flexibly worldwide.
EMW Hightec Welding GmbH –
Germany
Website:
Patented Thermatool® HAZControl™ technology
800kW dual welder
EWM’s “Pico 350 cel puls” is an MMA welding machine
which can also be used for MIG/MAG welding