All completed on-site by our highly experienced fabrication team.
Our on-site services include: cutting, welding, shot blasting, painting, worldwide logistics and storage facilities.
Whilst our stock is kept in random lengths, generally from 4.5m up to about 15m, you have the option of having shorter lengths or extended with circumferential welds.
Cutting
We currently operate five automatic band saws. Recent investment in a new saw means we can now saw cut tubes up to 1280mm OD, and we can flame cut tubes up to 2500mm OD.
Our standard saw cutting tolerances are +/-3mm up to 762mm OD, and +/-5mm up to 1280mm. Our tolerances on flame cutting are 0/+15mm.
These are our standard tolerances, it is possible to have closer tolerances across our range by prior agreement.
Shot blasting and coating
We have two automatic shot blasting machines with up to 914mm OD capacity. Larger sizes can be manually blasted if required. Our paint spraying capabilities give you the option of having your orders shot blasted and coated before they leave our works.
We hold stocks of the most commonly specified paints, so we can ensure customers’ orders can be progressed quickly. Once coated, pipes are protected from damage during handling and loading to ensure they leave our works in perfect condition.
Copies of commonly specified paint datasheets and our coating procedure can be found on our downloads page.
Fabrication and welding
We employ fully coded, highly experienced welders and routinely produce and deliver extended lengths up to 30m long.
Our sub arc welding machines are able to join our tubes together reliably and quickly to produce whatever lengths you need. We have produced lengths exceeding 50m in the past.
Independent inspectors ensure the quality performance of our welding by carrying out random checks on our premises throughout the year. If required we may be able to work to your procedures by special arrangement.
Copies of our procedures and inspection reports are available on our downloads page.
Storage and delivery
Our site includes storage areas where your orders can be held awaiting call off, so you don’t need to store material at site.
Our network of hauliers and shipping agents can deliver your orders worldwide. We have a number of knowledgeable and reliable transport companies with many years experience of moving steel safely. They can quickly deliver items from small cut pieces to lengths of up to 30m by road.
Lengths of tubing 30m and over can also be delivered by road once Department of Transport permits have been arranged. Extremely long lengths can be achieved by partial welding at Dalton with final fabrication at the site/quayside.
Testing
If you need confirmation of the properties of any of our material, we can always provide certification by independent testing and analysis before despatch.
We use UKAS approved independent laboratories for testing our stock. Third party inspection and validation is available if required and we would be pleased to help you arrange it. Customers only pay for the level of testing specified.
The following testing options are routinely specified by our customers.
- Chemical analysis
- UTS testing (yield, tensile and elongation properties)
- Charpy impact tests.
More extensive testing, including ultrasonic, magnetic particle and even radiography can be arranged if required.
Copies of independent testing certification can be found on our downloads page.
Traceability
Although mill certificates are not available with uncertified products, you may need to know some of the properties of our material. Through our unique pipe numbering system, all of our stock can be traced to source. We record all details our suppliers give to us and can often pass this data on to you but without warranty.
Please note for testing we use UKAS approved independent laboratories. If customers require third party inspection and validation we will be pleased to help you arrange it.
Inspection
Customers are always welcome to visit our works to inspect our stock before ordering.
If you need third party inspection, we’re happy to work with companies such as Lloyds, DNV, Bureau Veritas etc. We understand the cost associated with their service, so we work closely with them to ensure their visits are efficiently arranged to reduce costs.
Copies of inspection certificates can be found on our downloads page.
