TPT September 2012

Technology News

Flying shear cutoff MILL Masters, a tube mill manufacturer, has announced that a new flying shear cutoff has been made available to its customers.

Flying shear cutoff

The common point to all of these variants is the control panel itself, grouping together the useful commands in order to optimise image adjustment. This control panel is ergonomic and perfectly adapted for welding operations. It is each individual camera that enables themultitude of possibilities for adaptation to the environment in question. As a general rule Polysoude recommends the use of two external cameras (one for a front view and a second camera for a rear view). These modules are equipped with a motor- driven focus and an adjustable liquid crystal filter. This functionality results from a specifically developed technology, enabling the operator to intervene during the welding process and adjust the image according to specific requirements. Each module of the external camera contains an integrated cooling system, which protects it from arc radiation. In the case of reduced radial clearance, Polysoude proposes a panel of welding torches equipped with one or two micro cameras (a classical narrow gap torch, a narrow gap torch with an oscillating electrode and internal welding lances). All of the functions are perfectly integrated and protected to be compatible with the welding environment. They are cooled in order to be able to resist external temperatures as high as 350°C. across the side of the tube creating a notch for the shear blade to pass cleanly through. The cutoff utilises electric cylinders to propel the knife blade and the carriage. Several benefits from using the electric cylinders include much quieter operation, reduced maintenance costs and the ability to control the speed of the blade as it passes through the tube. This is crucial when cutting through stainless steel tubing. The speed of the cutting blade should match the tube’s material properties to minimise the cut from overheating. When the blade cuts too quickly through

The cutoff has the capacity to cut 6mm to 25mm diameter steel tubing with a wall thickness of 0.25mm to 1mm. Speeds of up to 15m/minute or 60 cuts/ minute can be obtained by using a single die. Cut lengths are variable within a range of 450mm to 6m. Lengths can be changed on the fly, quantities can be cut in batch, and recipes can be stored for future applications. A double cut (dimple free) system is also available – one blade passes

the stainless steel it has a tendency to push material instead of shearing it.

Mill Masters – USA Website: www.millmasters.com

High resolution video monitoring THE automation of welding is becoming more widespread with a view to increasing productivity and guaranteeing repeatability and consistency of results using more and more specific welding procedures. various applications destined to create a panoply of industrial solutions.

Optical fibre lighting and retractable filters allow for verification of the positioning before welding or the result after a downslope of the arc. The positioning of the filters is synchronised with the start of the welding sequence. Manually adjustable mechanisms for the focal length are integrated into the body of the torch and are accessible from the exterior in order to facilitate adjustment. These solutions represent the best compromise in order not to interfere with the gas flow, and moreover, to have a better viewing angle for monitoring of the impact point of the wire, the electrode integrity and sidewall fusion. The creation of made- to-measure optics enable optimisation of the magnification and the vision field.

On this basis, operators play an essential role in the supervision of welding operations. According to the complexity of the parts and the importance of the task in question, tracking during welding can be automatic or carried out manually, which of course implies continuous visual monitoring. In terms of the extent of assistance required by operators, today, one out of three installations is equipped with a video monitoring system. The main objective is often the quest for comfortable working conditions so as to avoid fatigue and maintain the operator’s concentration. Therefore the video monitoring system often remains the only solution enabling us to face difficulties related to difficult accessibility or the environment close to that of the welded joints. Some of the most recurrent situations concern for example the presence of preheating, access restrictions encountered in the case of narrow gap grooves, internal weld configurations as well as the proximity of high energy welding arcs or radiation exposure encountered by the human body in the nuclear industry. Polysoude has set up an R&D programme in response to these

Polysoude SAS – France Email: info@polysoude.com Website: www.polysoude.com

Monitoring the weld process

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S eptember 2012