Page 7 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 16th August 2021

and fatigue life. This performance is required to With such a robust machine, the worker can do
ensure the functionality of safety-critical systems, as nothing wrong, thus providing a significant benefit
well as behaviour in the event of fire or mechanical over cutting-ring systems, which rely on operator
exposure. Of course, products that meet the marine skill. Having this process assurance also brings a
sector’s rigorous type approvals can also serve other level of safety with regard to creating a correct, leak-
industries. These approvals provide third-party free connection.
confirmation that the products meet a wide range of
test requirements according to their defined Rapid set-up and cycle times
operating pressure. Some machines, such as the Eaton Walterscheid M-
Assuming the system carries the required WF385Xplus for WALFORMplus, provide
approval, the design engineer can begin his or her advantages such as fast cycle times and quick set-
assessment of other selection factors, such as ups thanks to easy changeovers with colour-coded
pressure resistance, vibration resistance and safety. tools. The M-WF385Xplus, which accommodates
For defence applications, designers must also think tube from 6-42 mm diameter, also offers forming
about the potential for a hydraulic tube-fitting pressure control to minimise energy consumption,
system to retain its functionality after a torpedo as well as quiet operation to reduce noise levels in
strike, for example. Ease-of-installation, soft sealing the shop. Of particular note, there is no requirement
and resistance to pull-out forces are further to set-up any machine parameters, thus minimising
considerations. the risk of failure.
Due to the tube shape produced,
Forming, not cutting WALFORMplus assemblies ensure extremely high
A cold-forming technology system such as resistance against pull-out forces, significantly more
WALFORMplus is proving particularly popular in than a cutting-ring assembly. In fact, pull-out torque
comparison with tube-cutting systems. There are tests show that, depending on the system selected,
many reasons for this trend. For instance, the cold a WALFORMplus assembly has circa 57% more
forming of materials increases stress resistance at resistance to pull-out forces than a cutting-ring
the most crucial points of the tube. Combined with assembly of the same diameter and wall thickness.
no sharp ends, this effect creates outstanding This impressive result is largely because the locked-
vibration resistance. In addition, as a dry, non- in retaining tube removes any risk of disconnection,
cutting forming process, cold forming produces no thus enabling its use in safety-critical applications.
waste or mess. It is also worth noting that a large investment in
WALFORMplus represents a reliable, easy-to- a forming machine is not necessarily required for
install forming system that uses minimal those looking to adopt the WALFORMplus system.
components. The system also provides ultra-high Some suppliers offer a rental service that enables an
pressure resistance and the option of a soft seal. OEM or subcontractor to hire a machine for the
Another key factor is process stability, which duration of the project.
comes from the machine that forms the tube
connection. Any cold tube-forming machine should Avoid failures
produce assemblies with the same quality time- Ultimately, not selecting the optimum tube-fitting
after-time, independent of the tolerance influences system can lead to a number of issues, including
imparted by the tube or fitting. failure. In most marine applications, failures are

August 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p7