TPT September 2013

Article

Schwarze-Robitec GmbH

New bending technology for tube systems By Hartmut Stöhr, managing director, Schwarze-Robitec, Germany

fines and even a deactivation order from the relevant regulatory authorities. This makes the use of durable, safe and effective tube systems and solutions all the more important. Whereas thick-walled high-pressure tubes and pipes have been welded together for decades from various straight and pre-bent tube components, modern tube bending processes offer significant advantages with respect to safety, subsequent maintenance and the requirements of the present tube parameters as well as, last but not least, appreciable benefits in terms of manufacturing costs and times. Efficient production of manifolds The semi-automatic SR 320 tube bending machine and the automatic CNC 320 HD from Schwarze-Robitec GmbH produce complex tube systems in one operation from a single tube, for example for pressure and steam lines, manifolds and similar tubes. Being equipped with special tools, the machines bend thin and thick-walled tubes with a maximum diameter of 323.9 x 17.5mm. With a tube size of 323.9 x 10mm, for example, they have no problem producing a bending radius of 1.5 x D, which is equivalent to a bending radius of 485mm in the example mentioned. The semi-automatic machines in the SR series are particularly suitable for the production of single bends and small series.

According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the energy demand of the world population will increase drastically in the coming years: in 2030, around 5.5 billion people will have access to electricity supply – this is equivalent to growth of 1.5 billion consumers within only slightly more than two decades. Tomeet the increased energy demand, in addition to investment in renewable energies, the construction of new power plants and modernisation of existing facilities in particular are vital. One critical criterion here is to significantly improve efficiency in the power plant process. The requirements for the installed tube systems and tube materials are therefore also increasing, as they make a noticeable contribution to increasing efficiency. Schwarze-Robitec has developed special bending machines for precisely this application area, which bend high-strength, thick-walled high-pressure tubes as well as boiler tubes, tube coils and entire membrane tube walls accurately and both time and cost-effectively. The requirements for liquid and steam line systems in modern power plants are increasing: significantly higher pressure, flow and temperature values result in increasing strain on the systems. At the same time, the legal constraints and requirements are intensifying. Leakages can result, for example, in costly repairs or – which is worse – investigations, Schwarze-Robitec GmbH – the company Having been founded in 1903, Schwarze-Robitec is among the international leading experts in the area of tube bending machines. Since 2011, the company has been run by managing directors Bert Zorn and Hartmut Stöhr. At the head office in Cologne, the cold- bending machine specialist currently employs 120 staff. The company is represented worldwide through long- standing partners. As early as 1977, Schwarze-Robitec produced the world’s first CNC tube bending machine. Over 2,300 machines have been sold to date, many of which have been in unrestricted use in production for over 30 years. In addition to tube bending machines and bending tools, the range supplied by Schwarze- Robitec includes tube perforating machines, measuring systems and solutions in special engineering. Without exception, the Schwarze-Robitec list of references includes all of the prestigious manufacturers from the automotive industry, energy sector and shipbuilding. Furthermore, the company’s solutions are used in aerospace and many other industries. More information about Schwarze-Robitec can be found online at www.schwarze-robitec.com

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The SR 320 tube bending machine from Schwarze-Robitec produces complete tube systems for manifolds, pressure and steam lines from one work piece within a few minutes

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September 2013