THE MODERNISATION OF HISTORIC WELDING PRACTICES: SWR (SPOOL WELDING ROBOT) +HYPERFILL
Pipe fabrication shops using Novarc’s technology see production increases of up to 12x for stainless steel and 5x for carbon steel.
Innovative welding automation technologies, like Novarc’s SWR+HyperFill, are modernising historic welding practices, allowing pipe fabrication shops to realise higher performance and productivity, while improving their bottom line. SWR+HyperFill was launched after extensive independent research on welding productivity, costs, quality and efficiencies, which found that substantial productivity improvements in deposition rate, deposition efficiency, and duty cycle, compared to the baseline processes, were consistently achieved. Essentially, Novarc’s SWR+HyperFill option expands the capabilities of the company’s collaborative Spool Welding Robot (SWR) designed to collaborate with operators to automate the pipe welding process. SWR+HyperFill is a highly efficient, fully-integrated dual torch system that uses Lincoln Electric’s patented twin-wire GMAW solution, HyperFill, to maximise productivity and profitability allowing fabrication shops to expand the capabilities of the SWR. The system increases heavy fabrication productivity by increasing weld deposition rates while delivering excellent weld quality. SWR+HyperFill uses the Lincoln STT GMAW process on the root, and twin wire (HyperFill) on fill and cap passes, and it can be used on carbon steel pressure pipes or vessels with 0.5” - 2” thickness and as low as 6” in diameter. The system also has the flexibility of using root to cap GMAW or seamlessly switching to FCAW or MCAW for the fill and cap passes.
Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot works collaboratively with welders to allow junior welders to do the work that could previously only be performed by more senior welders, increasing productivity, weld quality and welder ergonomics.
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Weld Connect | June 2022
Snapshot of SWR+HyperFill Benefits for Pipe Shops • Higher deposition rates and efficiencies, reducing welding times and material handling costs compared to using the sub-arc process • Higher production rates (lb/hr) by streamlining and simplifying production, increasing efficiency and reducing costs • Excellent weld quality • Increase Factored Diameter Inches (FDI) to 350500 per shift on carbon steel pipes • Meet ASME Section IX and B31.3 WPS qualification requirements • Achieve high toughness test results down to -45℃ The expanded capabilities of SWR+HyperFill is excellent news for the world of tube and pipe, knowing that stainless steel and pipe welding is crucial to several industries and manufacturing processes. Novarc’s welding automation technology has revolutionised the manufacturing processes and is a productivity game changer for pipe fabrication shops serving the shipbuilding, building construction, oil and gas, and offshore industries.
