HVAC & REFRIGERATION SHOW PREVIEW
The rise of press-fit
Press-fi t technology is beginning to make waves within the acr sector. Bill Barlow, business unit director UK – OEM & ACR for Conex Bänninger, discusses the innovation and how it is benefi tting acr contractors and engineers.
O
ver the past few months, press-fi t has become a real buzzword within the acr marketplace, a sector that has traditionally been dominated by braze fi ttings. The word is getting out, with more and more engineers and contractors converting to the reliability of press-fi t joints, noting the speed at which they can be installed and the practical benefi ts of installation on site. Before we go on to discuss the benefi ts of
press-fi t, including the fact a joint takes just fi ve seconds to complete, let’s look at the advantages the technology brings to a job before the work has even started. A big benefi t of a press-fi t installation is the fact that minimal tooling is required in order to complete the job; no fl ame, no nitrogen, no heat resistant mats and the like. These items all require regular top-ups too, which can
22 December 2017
signifi cantly add to operational costs by the end of a fi nancial year.
Whilst the actual work on the joint itself takes less time when comparing a press fi tting to a traditional braze fi tting, this doesn’t take into account how much additional time is saved due to easy access on site without a fl ame, and not having to work out the best method statement for a job in a confi ned space.
As is widely known, paperwork will eat into time that would be more productively spent carrying out the installation itself. Ensuring the hot works permit is maintained, carrying out risk assessments and, in many cases, obtaining additional insurance due to working with a naked fl ame, can be a serious hassle. Using press-fi t technology eliminates this red tape from operational workfl ow, saving time and money in the long run.
Furthermore, the health and safety benefi ts of using a fl ame free solution are very apparent. Acr engineers can use a press-fi t tool in tight spaces or awkward angles, without the hazard of a naked fl ame to both themselves and those within close proximity. A compact press-fi t tool can even be operated by one hand with relative ease, and it takes just fi ve seconds to complete a joint. Dependable press-fi t systems for acr applications, such as Conex Bänninger’s >B< MaxiPro, boast a three-point press design, with two mechanical presses on either side of the bead and one hydraulic press crimping the O-ring. This is considered to provide the most secure joint. Also, due to the removal of human error, the joints have excellent levels of quality control, reliability and durability, reducing the risk of a call-out further down the line, or a re-fi t while on the job.
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Conex Bänninger Stand D16
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