TPT May 2012

T echnology N ews

Cost effective tube and pipe coatings  ONE common cost-cutting measure is to look for cheaper products. Looking for the great deal is human nature, but experience shows that not all products are created equal and lower cost products may not prove to be such a good deal in the end – fraught with hidden costs. to deliver their products in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. “Cheaper up front, costly in the end” can be a tough lesson learned.

How long will the coating last, and how effectively does it protect the surface from corrosion? What degree of handling can the coating withstand? Does the coating provide protection for products that are stored outdoors? Coatings that don’t effectively protect products can damage a company’s reputation. If business is lost because customers return product or go elsewhere for products with better corrosion protection, a bargain coating may not be a bargain for the company at all. Unveiling all the hidden costs and establishing “total cost” is not always straightforward. So, it is important to seek out a coatings provider with specialised expertise that can provide informed assistance. A coatings expert – someone who has years of experience consistently working with coating applications – can be a useful resource. Not only can they lend support to achieve lower costs, but also uncover ways to improve total coatings operations – leading to better results and bottom-line savings. Quaker Chemical Corporation is an expert in tube and pipe coatings. Quaker offers its customers valuable coatings and solutions. Any product recommendations are based on individual customer operations, equipment, budget, and everything needed

Working with a large global pipe manu- facturer, Quaker recommended that the customer switch to a new coating to achieve a faster drying time. While the coating itself cost more per unit than what they had been using, the reduction in drying time, and other process improvements, provided the customer with a total savings of 63%. In addition, the pipes shipped out faster – giving the Quaker customer a competitive edge. Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process chemicals, chemical specialities, services, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries – including steel, aluminium, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, coatings, and construction materials. Quaker’s products, technical solutions, and chemical management services enhance customers’ processes, improve their product quality, and lower costs. Quaker’s headquarters is located near Philadelphia in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA. Quaker Chemical Corporation – USA Fax: +1 610 832 4497 Website: www.quakerchem.com

Before purchasing a coating, it is important to look for the best value, beyond just the per unit cost. Identify all potential hidden costs that might be incurred with a lower cost product. To establish true “total cost,” a product-to-product comparison should include such questions as: how much area can the coating cover effectively? Using greater quantities of coating to adequately cover products can quickly erode “savings”. How is the coating applied? If your equipment requires alteration or replacement to apply the coating, additional expenses will result – including down time and extra clean-up – rather than cost savings. How well does the coating comply with safety and government regulations? Some coatings contain higher levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) than others and some may contain HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants). Protecting employees from these hazards and any excess waste production can tack on more expenses to the process.

Hold-E pipe clamp SUMNER Manufacturing has launched the Hold-E pipe clamp for securing pipe ¾" to 6" in diameter to standard vee head pipe stands. The Hold-E is a steel frame clamp and utilises a quick release button that allows the welder to open and close the gripping arms in seconds. The Hold-E clamp is designed specifically for holding pipe during flange fit-up, short pipe lengths or when fabricating pipe with branches. It can also be used with fittings clamped to vee heads for fit-up work. Operation of the Hold-E is designed to be quick and simple. Pressing the quick-release button allows a ram weldment to adjust to the opened or closed position quickly. After positioning the ram, a few turns on the feed screw secures pipe or tubing to the jack stand in an instant. No special adjustments are required to accommodate ¾" to 6" (19 to 150mm) pipe. The compact tool, which has had US and international patent applications filed, measures in the stored position 10.31" W x 2.12" D x 15.75" H (261 x 54 x 400mm), and weighs 8.7lb. Founded in 1965 in Houston, Texas, Sumner Manufacturing has served the welding and mechanical contracting industry for nearly a half century, creating material lifts, jack stands, pipe fit-up clamps, welding tools and material carts that are currently in use in more than 50 countries around the world, and in numerous industries. The company maintains offices in the USA, Canada, China, the UK and the Netherlands. Sumner Manufacturing Co, Inc – USA Fax: +1 281 999 6966 Email: customerservice@sumner.com Website: www.sumner.com

The Hold-E pipe clamp

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M ay 2012