Gases and Welding Today addresses gas cylinder requalification.
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Press Release Summary:
When it comes to requalification or repurposing of gas cylinders, manual and automated options are available. Britton Harper, cylinder product manager at LS Industries, compares the available methods in "Cleaning And Requalifying Cylinders" article, which appears in Spring 2011 issue of Welding and Gases Today. According to Harper, abrasive blasting is the most efficient process of preparing cylinders for testing, inspecting, recoating, and new service.
Original Press Release:
Automation Aids Gas Cylinder Requalification
Gases and welding distributors have several options for cylinder blasting.
Dewitt, NY - Repurposing of existing gas cylinders for changeover of service or cleaning for specialty gases can save gases and welding distributors the expense of purchasing new vessels. When it comes to requalification or repurposing of cylinders, manual and automated options are available. Britton Harper, cylinder product manager at LS Industries, compares the available methods in "Cleaning And Requalifying Cylinders." The article appears in the Spring 2011 issue of Welding & Gases Today, the leading magazine for the gases and welding equipment industry.
The manual method for internal cylinder blasting includes a system to roll the bottle while an operator blasts the interior with steel shot and blast nozzle on a wand. The process can take up to ten minutes and can leave an inconsistent finish. "Everyone likes the look of a nicely painted cylinder, but maybe not what it takes to get that final product," says Harper. "Traditional manual systems using handheld blasting equipment coupled with a compressor make for a dirty and tedious job."
"When it is time for requalification or repurposing of a cylinder, abrasive blasting is the most efficient process of preparing it for testing, inspecting, recoating and new service," says Harper. Automation of the internal blasting is done with motor-driven lances and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) that control rotation and travel speed of the lances. Custom programs can be used for multiple cylinder sizes and can control the entire process from the neck to the side and then to the bottom of the cylinder.
To learn about automated and manual methods of preparing cylinders for reuse, read "Cleaning And Requalifying Cylinders," (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org/index.php/2011/03/cleaning-and-requalifying-cylinders/) at Welding & Gases Today online. For more information, contact Devin O'Toole, content editor at Welding & Gases Today at devin@weldingandgasestoday.org or 315-445-2347.
About GAWDA
Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry's voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.
