36-inch stainless steel pipe cold cutting ---- Port Harcourt case in Nigeria

I. Project background

At 23:00 on August 4, 2022 (local time in Nigeria), Nigerian customer Torqtech Offshore Services urgently contacted NODHA technical support. Torqtech Offshore Services reported that it encountered a problem of cold cutting Φ914×20mm 316L stainless steel pipe on site. When the customer team tried to use conventional tools for processing, problems such as abnormal tool wear and edge collapse occurred, which seriously affected the progress of offshore platform pipeline prefabrication.

II. Problem diagnosis

Through real-time video connection and operation video analysis, three key problems were found:

Abnormal equipment parameters: The speed of the cold cutting machine was set to 35rpm (recommended value 18-22rpm), resulting in concentrated cutting heat

Improper tool installation: The blade overhang reached 28mm (safety value ≤15mm), causing cutting vibration

Material pretreatment defects: There were U-shaped grooves on the surface of the pipe, causing a sudden change in cutting force

III. Technical solutions

Based on 17 years of industry experience, NODHA quickly developed targeted solutions:

Tool upgrade: Provide AISI M42 superhard tools containing 8% cobalt (HRC67), using unequal tooth design to disperse cutting force

Parameter optimization: The speed was reduced to 20rpm, the feed speed was adjusted to 0.15mm/r, and the cutting fluid flow rate was increased to 12L/min

Process guidance: Require customers to pre-treat the surface of the pipe for milling, and adopt the combination strategy of "layered cutting + axial feed"

IV. Implementation effect

August 5, 16:00 (24 Response within 2 hours): The first trial cutting was successful, with a cut flatness of 0.08mm (standard ≤0.15mm); the tool life was increased from 2 pipes/blade to 12 pipes/blade.

V. Customer Feedback

The equipment has successfully completed the cold cutting and beveling of 128 pipes on the offshore platform, and the weld qualification rate has increased from 79% to 96%. We have ordered an additional 20 sets of special tools.

NODHA will continue to help customers solve problems, provide more efficient pipeline processing solutions for global customers, and let more people understand the quality and service of NODHA products.

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