State of the Art Cutting Machines Critical in Power Station Construction
23rd April 2009
In a deal worth more than R20 million, Goscor Arc, previously Arc Engineering, has delivered and installed two state-of-the-art Esab cutting systems at Murray & Roberts’ steel fabrication company, Genrec Engineering. According to Genrec’s Graham Hartley, the machines will be used specifically in the process of constructing boxed steel columns for power stations.
“These machines are critical to this process. We did extensive research before making this purchase as they will be working under inordinate pressure and the best quality was required,” says Hartley
He says the machines were bought specifically for the plasma cutting of 40-60mm plate up to 30m long and oxy-fuel cutting of 60-150mm plate with single-pass and double-bevel cutting.
Goscor Arc MD, Rob Pirie, says the cutting systems, are 6m wide and 35m long with the latest cutting-table technology including the most advanced air extraction system in the world. The gantries are fitted with Esab’s latest world-renowned plasma bevelling head and triple-head oxy-fuel cutting system.
He adds that both machines are fitted with two Esab 400 plasma power supplies , Esab M3 PT36 cutting technology and Esab’s latest Vision 55 CNC controllers and a full suite of Esab’s Columbus software which include the latest innovation of enabling two plasma torches to cut simultaneously on one plate.
“This is by far the best cutting system in the world,” says Pirie. “The precision cutting heads and the ability to do straight cutting and bevel cutting in one pass contribute to making it one of the lowest-cost per metre operations of its kind in the world. Also, with the with the ultra-advanced air extraction system, these machines protect the environment enhancing a safe and comfortable working environment and adding considerably to productivity,” says Pirie.
Members of the Goscor Arc team went to Germany to help set up Genrec’s specification while locally it manufactured some components to ensure the machine was 100% fit for purpose. All training, both on the software and on machine operation was done by Goscor Arc.
In the meantime Goscor Arc has also delivered to Genrec four Esab twin-wire sub-arc A6 welding tractors complete with Esab LAF1000 power sources and PEH controllers and eight Esab Miggy-track 3000 automated tractors complete with built-in wire feeder. These will be used respectively for primarily for joining the 40-50mm plates and welding stiffener bars.
Hartley concluded that with ESAB’s extraordinarily high technology levels and Goscor Arc’s tried and trusted service delivery, his company has been able to reach the requisite productivity levels for this operation.
Caption for pic: (Generec pic 3)
One of the state of the art Esab cutting systems bought by Genrec from Goscor Arc specifically for use in the process of constructing boxed steel columns for power stations.
