How Does A Growing Line System Work?

May. 30, 2023

Introducing the FITA Growing Line

FITA Series shell Growing Line is used for three or more pipes/ shells assembly and welding job. FITA Growing Line is equipped with two fit-up self-alinging roller beds, which have four independent hydraulic height adjustment rollers, to ensure the assembly and welding job speedy with a high performance.

What Is A Growing Line System?

Pipe or vessel growing lines allow the user to easily fit up circular weld joints on heavy fabricated vessel sections, traditionally done manually using cranes, wedges, and other laborious processes that are cumbersome, slow and potentially dangerous, all through an easy to use control pendant or HMI touch screen system. Larger capacity systems are also available on request.

WHY USE A GROWING LINE SYSTEM?

Superior fit-up capabilities including powered elevation, side shift, track drive features, and indexing features which allow the operator to efficiently and safely line up and "grow" heavy vessel sections during fit up.

Allows for the assembly of cans while minimizing the use of cranes, making it ideal for wind towers, tank or vessel manufacturing applications where numerous sections are being joined.

Enables operator to assemble and relocate a vessel or tower which may be heavier than the lift capacity of overhead cranes.

Allows for "growing" of the fabricated vessel away from the welding system; this is more efficient because the column and boom welding manipulator can remain in the same location for maximum productivity during welding.

Eliminates the need for wedges and inefficient/potentially unsafe manual jacking systems to align the cans.

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HOW DOES A GROWING LINE FIT UP BED SYSTEM WORK?

Step 1: Place the first 2 cans or vessel sections on fit up bed, and rotate one can so that the seam is at 180 degrees from the seam of the other section.

Step 2: Move the fit up carriage to match the cans using the elevation, side/side shift and track drive features. The fit up is done with a single operator using a pendant remote control.

Step 3: The fit up rolls are then used to adjust the gap between the cans. Once the gap is closed and the gaps are fully aligned, then the weld can be tacked.

Step 4: Continue additional fit up around the full circumference of the cans, and place tack welds as required.

Step 5: If making use of LJ's automated open arc root column and boom welding manipulators, move into place and complete the internal ID weld.

Step 6: After the inside root pass is complete, the welding manipulator is then repositioned to do the outside circumference of the cans, typically utilizing the submerged arc process.

Step 7: Next, repeat the fit up and the column and boom manipulator welds as previously completed. You can then "grow the line" until it has reached its maximum length.

THE GROWING LINE RESULTS:

Efficiency: cycle time savings of 50-65% have been reported by LJ's customers using the growing line system, when compared with traditional manual methods.

Safety: worker safety is increased significantly as the workpieces stay in full control, on the rolls, throughout the entire fit up and fabrication process.

Quality: a significant decrease in rework and higher quality is typical when using the growing line system, as the control over joint fit up is vastly improved.

Would you like more information about the growing line? Request a free consultation with one of our product specialists.