Guide To Pipe Cutting and Removing Flanges with a Split Frame Cutter

Guide To Pipe Cutting and Removing Flanges with a Split Frame Cutter

Popularly known as clamshell cutters, the split frame cutting tools are majorly found to be used in the gas, oil, and petrochemical industries. The most common applications of split frame cutters are found in beveling, parting, and counter-boring pipes of large diameter. Due to this, they’re used prominently in the construction of oil and gas pipelines as well. Aside from pipeline-related applications, they’re also used for maintenance and alterations to existing pipelines.

Moreover, they’re also perfect for pipe cutting and beveling because flanges need to be prepared before being welded into the pipe. Although new flanges might face some damage during transmit or may not possess the correct specifications, the issues can be repaired using a flange-facing machine easily. However, in most cases, the most cost-effective solution is to completely remove the flange and replace it with a new one.

How Do Split Frame Cutters Work?

The split frame cutter machine consists of a rotating and a stationary ring, each with two halves that are assembled to be installed in continuous pipelines. The assembly of the machine also consists of the motor housing (That can be either powered pneumatically or hydraulically), clamping feet used to attach the machine to the pipeline, and pinion gear.

The rotating assembly also includes the required cutting tools that rotate around the axis of the body of the stationary ring. Moreover, a peg trip assembly and striker wheel are used to determine the feed and the two posts are normally found to have tool inserts of varying sizes. The one-act is a lead cutter and the other is used to make the cut even wider.

Suitable Materials and Feed Rates of Split Frame Cutters

This robust machine is equipped with innovative tooling and robust construction that allows it to cut and bevel a great variety of materials, including metal, thermoplastic, carbon steel, Incoloy, and Hastelloy. Talking about the feed rates, it is normally determined through a striking wheel that spins at a speed of 0.05 mm per hit. In case a faster speed rate is required, you can fit four more pegs in the machine to gain a higher level of performance.

Choosing the Best Split Frame Cutter – What You Need To Know?

To choose the right split frame pipe cutting machine for your project, you need to start by measuring the diameter of the pipe that needs to be beveled or cut. The diameter of pipes can range anywhere between 2-48 inches. Here’s a list of considerations that you need to make to ensure that you get the best split frame cutter for your next project:

Accessories

When talking about split frame cutters, the accessories range from front-drive adapters that allow the motor to be fixed in the front part of the machine to heavy-duty tool slides and counter-boring attachments that are capable of generating a great variety of parallel and tapered counter-bores.

Efficiency in Tight Spaces

The best thing about split frame cutters is that even the largest model can fit into hard-to-reach spaces easily. However, you still need to make sure that there is enough clearance for the machine to allow it to support other equipment.

Safety Considerations Involved with Split-Frame Cutters

When using a split frame cutter you need to thoroughly survey the area surrounded by the machine. Moreover, make sure you take note of the operating clearances of the machine, workspace constraints, and the requirement of scaffolding to support workers or equipment.

Keep in mind that the machine should be mounted properly on a workpiece that won’t fall or collapse when the machine is about to complete the cut. Furthermore, make sure that the workpieces are small enough to be harmless when they fall.

The Takeaway

Split frame cutters are considered ideal for several purposes such as pipe cutting, and can easily chop down materials such as metals and thermoplastics. Now when you have a better idea about these tools, you can find the best one according to your needs easily. 

 Content Sources :- ABSGroup

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