FUSION WINS SBWWI AWARD FOR INNOVATION 2007

Innovation is critical to Fusion’s continued success, and the manufacturing divisions under the guidance of Michael Bailey are always striving to increase the speed of new product development without compromising quality or safety.

In November, two of Fusion’s most recent innovations – Powerclamp and Pipeliner - were entered for the Society of British Water and Wastewater Industries’ (SBWWI) innovation award. Both products reached the final three, with Pipeliner being judged the winner by a panel of water industry experts.
Pipeliner 315 was a pre-emptive initiative on the part of Fusion to both tackle the potential constraints of ever more stringent manual handling regulations and to increase site productivity by creating a butt fusion machine which could be safely controlled by one operative.

The Pipeliner 315 solution is to create a butt fusion machine with a split base: once section consists of the pipe clamp, and the other carries the heater and trimmer plates. On the Pipeliner 315, movement of the heater and trimmer plates is assisted by hydraulic gas struts. Overall weight was further reduced by removing as much structural material as possible without compromising strength and performance and by using a hollow hardened steel shaft along which the trimmer and heater arms could move.

Joint quality with the Pipeliner 315 is assured by incorporating a ‘floating’ heater. This was achieved by using loose trunnion mountings at diametrically opposing points thereby allowing a small amount of free movement in every direction. The result? Accurate alignment and perfect bead formation.
Lead designer on the Pipeliner 315 is Chris Jordan: “We’re now looking to take the design, development and manufacturing lessons learned on the 315 and apply them to the Gator 400 machine. From my perspective, the key benefit of the Pipeliner 315 is that one man can now complete butt fusion joints more quickly, efficiently and consistently than in the past.”

Carol Hickman, Chief Executive of the SBWWI, said the Pipeliner 315 had held off stiff competition from over 8 other competitors. “I think the quality of Fusion’s submission combined with the ability to think outside accepted design constraints were key to Pipeliner’s success.”

The innovation award was collected on Fusion’s behalf by Nick Eakins

If you require any further information please contact our Marketing Department.