PRODUCT REVIEWS
Remote weld purge monitoring
The exposure to oxygen during the welding process on alloys such as stainless steel will result in discolouration and can severely reduce corrosion-resistance properties . It is therefore crucial that the oxygen level is monitored throughout the welding process and kept to a desired level . However , it is often difficult for welding personnel to get an accurate reading of the oxygen level at the welding zone when welding lengths of tube and pipework of 20 metres long and more .
Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT ® has created the PurgEye ® 1000 Weld Purge Monitor ®, enabling operators to read the weld purge gas level from a distance . Weld purging is the act of removing , from the vicinity of the joint , oxygen , water vapour and any other gases or vapours that might be harmful to a welding joint . These gases may combine with the metal to form undesirable compounds that may reduce corrosion resistance or may be instrumental in creating cracks or other structural defects in metals .
Ron Sewell , Chairman of HFT ®, said : “ The PurgEye ® 1000 incorporates a sensing head , which can be fitted onto any pipe weld purging system . The oxygen level is then measured directly at the weld location and the information is electronically transferred to the monitor up to 1km away . The PurgEye ®
1000 now features PurgeNet™ , a networking device designed for communicating the current oxygen reading from the Monitor to another piece of equipment , such as the visual warning accessory PurgeAlarm™ which indicates rising or falling purge levels .”
If exhaust gas from a normal weld purge system is piped down a hose to a distant measuring instrument , it may take many minutes , or even hours in some cases , for a stable reading to reach the sensor . The exhaust gas may even be contaminated on the way by outgassing from the walls of the hose material or from air drawn in through a leaky connection .
The PurgEye ® 1000 measures oxygen levels from 1,000 parts per million ( ppm ) down to 1ppm ( accurate to 10ppm ), suitable for welding metals such as stainless steels ; duplex steels ; titanium and zirconium where oxide-free , zero colour welds are required time after time .
Strategic partnership for WEMO and AWL
With a new value proposition for manufacturers active in the electrical enclosures and power distribution industry , Dutch companies WEMO and AWL have entered into a worldwide strategic partnership . This aims to further automate productivity and flexibility in the production process , from coil to cabinet , for their customers .
WEMO is a family business with more than 55 years of sheet metal working and machine building experience . It develops , builds and installs fully automated production lines to punch , bend and join sheet metal and coil material into a semi-finished product . As a system integrator , AWL delivers added value as a specialist in the design and construction of smart / modular machines . Its strength lies in three disciplines : joining techniques , ( logistics ) automation and assembly techniques .
AWL and WEMO still see a lot of manual
labour and batch production in the electrical enclosures and power distribution industry . Productivity can therefore always be much better , according to both companies . Based on proven technologies and successfully completed projects , they are making this production concept globally available .
“ WEMO ’ s tight bending tolerances and AWL ’ s precision laser welding solutions mean that no rework is required , resulting in a much faster production process . Our joint solution guarantees the fastest and most efficient production process for a perfect product , simultaneously lowering unit cost . From coil to cabinet , we believe that this is a perfect synergy of two companies who , together , are greater than the sum of their parts ,” WEMO told ISMR .
It ’ s a wrap !
Eco Wrap ®, dubbed ‘ the world ’ s first compostable industrial strength machinegrade stretch film ’ by Cortec , is a new packaging option for manufacturers and warehousing industries . The latest formula uses a certified compostable resin , plus a tackifier additive , to make an industrial-strength compostable stretch wrap that can be used on most standard automated stretch wrap equipment ( such as pallets of goods for storage , inventory or shipment ).
“ Eco Wrap ® users can benefit from substantial material / waste reduction . Most applications requiring three wraps of standard film can use two wraps of Eco Wrap ® without sacrificing strength or protection . Eco Wrap ® is commercially compostable ( according to ASTM D6400 ). Eco Wrap ® allows users to avoid tariffs , fines and tip fees in areas where polyethylene is prohibited or restricted . It is also shelf- and curb-stable and will retain its integrity until disposed of properly ,” added its manufacturer , Cortec .
There are many ways to make use of it as a “ greener ” packaging option for applications where a conventional stretch film is needed . These include corralling of goods for storage and shipment ; pallet wrapping ; packaging construction materials and transporting furniture . It works on most existing automated machines and is applied by adjusting the tension ( typically increasing since Eco Wrap ® is very elastic ).
Eco-Wrap used for pallet packaging .
42 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2021