Page 26 - ITAtube Journal 2/2019

Technical Papers
Protem SAS
Flange facing machines applications
Cracks of a ange
I) DEFINITION AND USE OF A FLANGE FACING MACHINE
A Flange Facing Machine also called Portable Lathe is made to mechan- ically polish a disk, collar or ring connected to a pipe in order to form a link with other piping elements (valves, other pipes, etc.) or to block off a part of the piping. This machining operation is done by successive strips to ensure face atness and regularity.
A company needs a Flange Facing Machine when anges are deformed or corroded due to ows inside a network (water, steam, oil & gas, etc.) and even damaged from outside due to vibrations or bad handlings.
Quality of a ange facing is fundamental because sealing and pressure resistance depend on it.
II) A FLANGE FACING MACHINE FOR WHICH INDUSTRIES?
Flange Facing Machines are needed wherever you can nd a ange or a valve, including the following elds:
Nuclear Industries
Fossil Industries: Oil & Gas (drilling platforms, re neries, offshore, onshore, spool base, etc.)
Petrochemical Industry (manufacturing plants of various chemicals) High Purity
Diesel Engines
Shipyards
Tube Processing
Defense
And generally speaking all industries where mechanical device whose function is to control the ow of uids in piping systems are present.
III) HOW OFTEN IS IT NECESSARY TO REPAIR A FLANGE?
There is not a common answer. Indeed, a ange is subject to many preexisting or evolving threats due to:
Effect of corrosion
Normal and, sometimes, abnormal stresses about bending, pressure, vibrations, etc.
Low quality materials
Defective fabrication and defective preparation before welding
Unadvisable addition of welded attachements or details to stressed sections
Weld of incorrect shape
Welds containing internal defects or associated with residual stresses
ITAtube Journal No2/May 2019
26