TPT November 2009

T echnology U pdate

Hydratight harnesses elbow power

make it suitable for resurfacing damaged raised-face and lens-ring joint flanges to the varying standards of finish demanded of standard and compact flange designs. “Having QuickFace on site removes the need to gamble on the quality of a joint’s surface finish,” said Mr Jones. “A tradesman on site can do the job in the same time as a team using traditional tools – and produce a finish well within specification. It’s a perfect solution to a genuine problem.” Hydratight – UK Fax: +44 12150 50800 Email: quickface@hydratight.com Website: www.hydratight.com

HYDRATIGHT says it has designed a high- tech, cost-effective design to a refacing tool for hard to reach pipe flanges whose integrity must be maintained. The ultra-light, ultra-portable QuickFace is a new Hand-Powered refacing tool that retains the accuracy and performance of the bigger air and electrically powered cousins in Hydratight’s range. The portable QuickFace turns a two- man operation with heavy equipment, compressors or portable generators into a one-man job that can be undertaken anywhere a technician can physically reach – whether at the top of a refinery installation or miles from the nearest power supply. The QuickFace tool weighs only 6.8kg (15lb) – and in its storage case with interchangeable collets and lead screws is a mere 15kg (33lb), despite which it can reface flange surfaces on pipes from 1 - 4in with ease, using standard half-inch cutting tools. “Many flanges have to be refaced in-situ without readily available power, because the flange is difficult or inaccessible. Sometimes such a repair simply isn’t cost- effective – and that means taking a gamble on future integrity,” said Hydratight global support engineer Alan Jones. “About 90% of all flanged joint leaks are on pipes in the 1"–4" range – exactly what KENT Corporation’s new Bewo high-speed cold saw, model SCF-90, cuts one to six tubes simultaneously, providing cut rates of up to 11,000 per hour. The saw head cuts upward, which leaves most chips below and requires less cutting force. The fully hydraulic helical saw head is robust with minimal backlash. The tubes are fed via servo feed to ensure accuracy and enable up to ten different lengths to be cut from a single stock length of tube. The main control panel automatically selects the most efficient settings based on the entered job. All settings are automatically controlled at the panel. The Bewo Quatro can be expanded with 100% compatible machines and systems for de-burring, measuring, washing and stacking. The high speed saw is capable of processing tubes from 0.315" to 3.5"

QuickFace is designed for. Many leaks are caused by poor joint-surface finish. Correcting this usually involves finding a resurfacing machine and competent technicians – and having the time to complete the job. “QuickFace is small enough to be a permanent addition to any t e c h n i c a l equipment store.

The alternative may be transporting teams and equipment by helicopter and running generators or compressors – all at much greater expense, where they are available at all.” Hydratight engineers have pared weight but not features: the system has interchangeable lead screws that

High-speed saw and automatic deburring machine variable speed brush for processing either ferrous or non-ferrous material.

(8 to 90mm) outside diameter. Kent offers full sales, service and parts support for new and used Bewo machines in North America. Kent Corporation has also developed a new Burrmaster de-burring machine to automatically de-burr the ends of mitre cut tubes, bent tubes, or straight tubes. The Rotoburr de-burr uses a 12" diameter x 6" wide spinning brush, and the head also rotates. This double action enables an operator to quickly and consistently de-burr the end of the part without having to spin it. A quick adjust work rest makes changeover quick, and automatically puts the part on centreline of the brush. The machine has an optional powered table and clamping device that is suitable for processing mitre cut or bent tubes. The machine can be used for cell type applications and can be loaded via optional robot. It also is available with a

It is capable of processing tubes, bars, or extrusions up to 6" (152.4mm) cross- section. Kent Corporation – USA Fax: +1 440 237 5368 Email: info@continuouscoil.com Website: www.continuouscoil.com

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