TPI July 2013

Pipel ines

More stable pipelines for oil, gas and water Large pipes, such as those used to construct pipelines, are either welded together as spirals or with a longitudinal seam. In cooperation with Swiss company Maurer Magnetic, the plant and machinery manufacturer Schuler has now developed a process that can demagnetise large pipes during their production. This improves the quality of the welds, which in turn enables pipelines to withstand greater pressures. with extreme temperatures,” explained managing director Jochen Früh. At the same time, the pressure inside the pipes is constantly being raised in order to extend the distances of the transported materials – such as oil, gas or drinking water – and to bridge the growing distances between individual extraction areas. Technology for the process. The large pipes are completely demagnetised by an alternating magnetic field, which can reach a field strength of up to 80kA/m in the high-performance coils.

Schuler supplies machines, production lines, dies, process know-how and services for the entire metalworking industry. Customers include car manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as companies in the forging, household equipment, packaging, energy and electrical industries. The company also supplies systems solutions for the aerospace and railway industries. Since the year 2000, Maurer Magnetic has entered new markets with its newly developed and patented technologies in the field of magnetising and demagnetising applications.

In the process developed by Maurer Magnetic and Schuler, the welded pipes are pushed through an electromagnetic coil and demagnetised. “There is no delay at all in production,” said Marek Rohner, head of technology at Maurer Magnetic. “We have therefore patented the process.” Tests at Schuler’s site in Weingarten, Germany, have shown that the method is suitable for spirally welded pipes with a wall thickness of up to 30mm and a diameter of 1,422 to 3,500mm. Pipes with longitudinal welds can have diameters of around 2,500mm and a wall thickness of 20 to 40mm.

Magnetisation results from the bending, machining and rolling of steel sheets, and also from the submerged welding of the spiral or longitudinal seam. When pipe ends are welded together on-site, the arc can be deflected if there is too much residual magnetism, reducing the load-bearing capacity of the weld. This is not the case with demagnetised pipes. Recent research results also indicate an increased incidence of corrosion on magnetised pipes. “Pipelines are exposed to extreme loads, as they often have to span hundreds of kilometres of inhospitable territory

Schuler AG – Germany www.schulergroup.com

Maurer Magnetic’s experts also use their patented Maurer Degaussing Maurer Magnetic – Switzerland info@maurermagnetic.ch www.maurermagnetic.ch Electronics manufacturer meets challenge of oil and gas industry

high melt point soldering, a key requirement for solder that needs to be used in high temperature environments such as behind drill heads, where temperatures reach over 200°C. eXception’s UK and Asian PCB manufacturing and supply chain consultancy teams bring a wealth of practical insight and expertise, gleaned from many years within the industry. The company serves customers across a variety of sectors including aerospace and defence, transport, oil and gas, automotive, communication architecture, medical, marine, semi- conductor, and renewable energy.

committed to supporting this market, and our plans for growth in the area should see us opening an office with sales support during 2013.” Technological innovation is also increasingwithin the sector, specifically to support the development of components and materials that are facing higher degrees of heat and vibration as oil and gas companies dig deeper and in more harsh environments for extraction. The electronics industry is continually being challenged to support tools in this area, and consequently is driving technological change across the contract manufacturing industry.

eXception EMS, a UK-based contract electronics manufacturing solutions provider, has invested in the very latest manufacturing technology, and has plans for local support within the USA as it expands its services for the oil and gas sector across new geographies. CEO Mark O’Connor commented, “We work with some of the biggest names in the oil and gas sector because crucially we understand the criticality of electronic devices and the challenges these device manufacturers face, as equipment is being forced to work harder in more extreme conditions. We have a long history in downhole electronics and instruments, and our work with customers in this area is increasing across a number of regions, but particularly the US. We’re

eXception EMS – UK www.exceptiongroup.com

During 2013 eXception EMS will invest in equipment that supports automated

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July 2013 Tube Products International