Drilling equipment maker Driconeq has purchased a Thompson friction welding machine for its new plant in South Africa.
The Swedish manufacturer is using the new DP Series welder to produce drill pipes at its Gauteng factory as part of a major expansion programme in Africa. The company already uses several Thompson machines at its head office in Sunne.
The machine incorporates a number of special features including extended tie bars for welding pipes over 10m in length and an alignment device to orientate spanner flats on the tool joints within 2° of each other.
Thompsons DP model also includes lightweight, quick release tooling, roller rail slideways for smooth friction head movement and intuitive weld process control software.
Were not only delighted that Driconeq chose Thompson again, but also pleased to be part of the companys ambitious global expansion plans. This new generation friction welding machine is specially designed to streamline production and boost productivity, commented sales manager Rob Stevens.
Thompson has just achieved another milestone in its 50th anniversary year with the completion of probably the worlds largest direct drive friction welding machine.
The 400t model 100 tonnes more powerful than its previous largest model has been supplied to a customer in North America where it is being used to produce hydraulic parts for construction machines.
Halesowen-based Thompson manufactures a range of linear and rotary friction welding machines for joining parts used in the aerospace, automotive, oil and gas exploration industries. It employs 100 staff and has sales offices in China and the USA. www.thompson-friction-welding.com.