Major reductions in pipe profile programming.(using computer aided design to cut pipes)

Fabrication yards producing tubular structures rely on computer numerically controlled (CNC) oxyfuel cutting machines to accurately profile AWS cuts to pipes. These are a type of cut familiar to the offshore sector according to international welding standards.

The cut can vary from 0.610 to 2.035 mm or beyond for pipe outside diameters, and must be controlled carefully to ensure fitting and welding time and costs are minimized.

Historically, the machine operator has had to program all machining for each individual profile at the shop-floor machine. But due to increasing demands to organize production more efficiently, new systems are being introduced that cut …