Tubos Colmena, a manufacturer of structural and mechanical tube and pipe products in Colombia, has invested in two Thermatool solid-state, high-frequency (HF) welders to help improve operational performance and reduce operating costs.

A HAZControl Technology (HCT) 300-kW HF welder with selectable variable frequency was commissioned in July, while a single-cabinet Compact 150-kW HF welder was commissioned in November.

The HCT welder will enable the company to get precise weld heat input control and store and recall tube welding recipes. This feature helps optimize process parameters such as power (heat), frequency (HAZ width), vee length, and mill speed to deliver uniform and repeatable weld characteristics. HAZControl Technology allows tube and pipe producers to tailor their products to the exact specifications required by their customers, the company reports.

The Compact welder is equipped with electronic load matching for retrofitting and upgrading the second mill where a Thermatool vacuum tube welder had been in operation for over 40 years.

“The increase in mill productivity was immediate. Not only did this installation increase mill speed and reduce weld power, but also electrical efficiency has improved by over 20%,” said Nicholas Gomez, lines production manager at Colmena. “We are running faster and more reliably than ever before, with consistent and repeatable, precision welds. We were able to increase our speed from 45 MPM at 5 metric tons/hour to 75 MPM at 8 metric tons/hour.”

“Thermatool and Colmena have been working together for over 50 years, transitioning from the old vacuum tube HF welding technology to our current solid-state HF induction welding technology,” said Victor Monreale, Latin American sales manager for Thermatool. “Thermatool maintains a strong Latin American presence as we continue to support all of our local customers in Central and South America.”

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