ESAB PROVIDES AUTOMATED NAVAL WELDING SOLUTION

Babcock International Group, Marine Division – Integrated Technology achieves outstanding welding performance and reliability using proven technology and software specially developed by ESAB, a world leading welding equipment maker.

An ESAB CaB 300M column and boom with A6 Arcmaster welding head purchased by Babcock Integrated Technology allow the company to achieve the best possible welding process in an effective and economical manner.

Babcock provides solutions for the defence industry worldwide and is a long-term user of ESAB equipment. The new equipment, which also includes an LAF 1000 welding rectifier unit, FFRS 1200 flux feed and recovery system, and JS200 flux storage hopper, complements an existing A2 multitrac with LAF 1000 welding rectifier unit.

The additional equipment extends Babcock submerged arc welding capacity enabling under-boom heights of 3750mm with a boom extension up to 5580mm.

The new equipment was purchased initially for a contract with the Spanish Navy where the company has a significant number of high integrity butt welds on high strength quenched and tempered material and due to the increased automation that the equipment offers, the risks of reworking these critical areas will be kept to a minimum.

The components, manufactured from Q1N (quenched and tempered high strength Naval steel) in thicknesses of 40mm to 75mm would normally be forgings but with the constraints of lean manufacturing and a short lead programme, the company opted to fabricate and weld components that meet design parameters and cost constraints.

The exceptional versatility and efficiency of the new equipment enables these fabricated components to be welded to precise design parameters with dimensional accuracy of +/- 2.0mm maintained during forming and welding.

 The contract requirement of twenty four slide valve assemblies is progressing well at this stage with the new equipment fulfilling initial expectations both in weld quality and ease of operation.