Assembly - Methods

Assembly - Methods - C

What special equipment is needed for each assembly method?

Butt fusion
To ensure that good quality butt fusion joints are made it is essential that the correct equipment is used. The equipment used must be robust enough to handle the size and weight of the pipe to be joined. It is essential that the correct pressures be maintained on the pipe ends during each phase of the procedure to achieve this only hydraulically operated equipment should be used.

Many modern butt fusion machines include data logging facilities of the fusion process and parameters for use within a Quality Assurance system.

It is essential that operators of the equipment are familiar with relevant health and safety issues for the equipment being used, and are fully trained it its correct use.

Ancillary equipment, rollers supports, etc. should also be used to aid alignment and reduce the effect of pipe drag during the fusion process.

Equipment suitable for butt jointing PE pipe can be supplied by several manufacturers. Butt fusion equipment must conform to ISO 12176 Part 1

Electrofusion
Specialist electrofusion controllers are required to make the joints. The controllers include data reading capabilities into which details of the fitting, pipes and diameters can be entered so that the correct fusion time/temperature cycle is automatically selected. Most fusion controllers have failsafe features so that incorrect procedures, or the wrong fittings, cannot be used.

Many modern electrofusion machines include data logging facilities of the fusion process and parameters for use within a Quality Assurance system. The data logger must conform to ISO 12176 Part 4.

It is essential that operators of the equipment are familiar with relevant health and safety issues for the equipment being used, and are fully trained it its correct use. Operators must be qualified and hold an operator badge conforming to ISO 12176 Part 3.

Ancillary equipment, rollers supports, etc. should also be used to aid alignment and reduce the effect of pipe drag during the fusion process.

Equipment suitable for electrofusion of PE pipe can be supplied by several manufacturers. Those certified for use may be found at www.traccoding.com

References

ISO 12176-1:1998 Plastics pipes and fittings - Equipment for fusion jointing polyethylene systems - Part 1: Butt fusion
ISO 12176-2:2000 Plastics pipes and fittings - Equipment for fusion jointing polyethylene systems - Part 2: Electrofusion
ISO 12176-3:2001 Plastics pipes and fittings - Equipment for fusion jointing polyethylene systems - Part 3: Operator's badge
ISO 12176-4:2003 Plastics pipes and fittings - Equipment for fusion jointing polyethylene systems - Part 4: Traceability coding

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