McDermott develops automatic welding unit for marine lines

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Pipe Line Ind.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5999997

Turner, D L

Under development since 1976, McDermott's automatic marine pipeline-welding system has six major components: a conventional pipe-end facing machine, a conventional internal line-up clamp, a pipe-welding fixture and track assembly, a weld sequence control console, and a 600-ampere power supply for each torch. Using five gas tungsten arc welding stations, each equipped with four orbiting torches, the system can complete a quality (API standard) weld on 36-in.-diameter, 0.625-in.-wall-thickness pipe in less than 5 min, a rate equivalent to about 240 joints of 9600 ft of pipe per day. Although the system is considerably more complex than manual welding equipment, its 40% faster production rate makes it attractive for use in areas subject to frequent downtime caused by inclement weather.

• OSTI ID: 5999997
• Journal Information: Pipe Line Ind.; (United States), Journal Name: Pipe Line Ind.; (United States) Vol. 53; ISSN PLINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
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ARC WELDING
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FABRICATION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS TUNGSTEN-ARC WELDING
GASES
JOINING
NATURAL GAS
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
PIPELINES
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