Over the past 10 years there have been many automatic pipe coilers installed, most with great short term success, but many falling short in the longer term multi-year operation.
When talking to users of automatic coilers, the most common long term problem becomes repeatability of the strapping head. The strapping operation on a pipe coiler is a high duty operation with many variables that can change over time. The strapping head is also the most complicated electro-mechanical component on a pipe coiler, with many small precision components, numerous sensors, and high speed actuations.
Automatic pipe coiler for corrugated pipe
So, does this mean automatic pipe coilers are a bad thing? Not at all. What it means is you really need to evaluate the strapping component of the machine, understand how it operates, and ask lots of questions of your supplier.
Some of the obvious questions:
- What are the wear parts, and ask for pricing of these.
- Are the common purchased items: sensors, gears, bearings, off the shelf items with any of your local industrial suppliers.
- What is the sensitivity of the machine to various types of strapping.
- How does the strap feed and accumulator system work?
- What is the repeatability of the strapping cycle out of 1,000 cycles.
- How are the strap races manufactured, and can they easily be maintained for smooth, obstruction free operation.
A focus on the strapping head is one of the most important reviews you can make when evaluating automatic pipe coiling. Ask your vendor for references, and make sure you call them.
There are also opportunities for retrofitting and improving an existing machine. While this tends to be complicated, it’s not impossible, and can be very worthwhile. If you have significant up time opportunity take a hard look at it.
For more discussion on how the strapping system between machines compare, get in touch with me at Profile Pipe Coiler or ask a question in this blog article.
TK
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