Top tier suppliers to the oil and gas, and power generation industries are no different to companies involved in any other supply chain – they need to constantly work smarter, quicker and more cost-effectively to not only meet their customers’ demands, but also to ensure that their own bottom-line margins are not only maintained but, ideally, also improved!
Nowadays, this means investing in best-in-class manufacturing technologies and as global oil and gas markets become ever-more competitive, an increasing number of suppliers (and OEMs) are gaining production savings by harnessing Starrag’s ‘Engineering precisely what you value’ strategy.
As part of Starrag’s comprehensive product ranges, machines from Dörries and Scharmann, in particular, are paying dividends globally in oil and gas work. For example:
[] Burckhardt Compression in Switzerland is reducing unproductive times on piston compressors on its portfolio of Dörries and Scharmann machines that are complemented by high levels of automation;
[] Based in the Netherlands, Mokveld is reducing formerly long machining times as well as possible re-location errors and certainly costs, by machining its high-pressure control and stop valves complete in a single set-up on a Dörries vertical lathe; and
[] One-hit machining is also benefiting KSB of Germany, with one Dörries vertical lathe minimising unproductive times and replacing two/three conventional machines in the production of pump housings.
In every case, Starrag can easily and cost-effectively ‘modify’ and supply each machine specifically to suit each user’s unique machining needs.
Manufacturing piston compressors that operate up to 3,600 bar, Burckhardt Compression uses a quartet of Starrag machines – a Scharmann Alpha 1250 M machining centre, a Scharmann Heavyspeed 2 ram-type boring mill, a Dörries Contumat VC 2400/200 vertical turning lathe (VTL) and a Scharmann Ecoforce 2 HT4 machining centre - to machine cylinders, cylinder blocks, frames, valve heads and steering rods.
Producing components up to 5.9 m long and weighing 30 tonnes, the production routines are demanding, including finish machining to 20 microns and H7 holes up to 1.3 m deep. However, the Starrag machines consistently meet all requirements while also generating time and production savings compared to former methods.
According to August Dünki, the company’s Director of Large Part Manufacturing: “We especially gain extra benefits from the use of the Dörries VTL’s additional moveable work table axis (for set-up and/or in-situ workpiece inspection) and reduced unproductive time via the 72.4 hp Ecoforce 2 HT 4 which utilises head attachments (with automatic pick-up) and robot tool handling.”
The company has also highlighted Starrag’s machine pre-approval software package as particularly beneficial. This details workpiece processing including all machining parameters, tools and targeted processing times and the software is an important part of machine selection.