Mockup Makes Machining Job Manageable
Furmanite was contracted to execute a difficult machining job on a series of valves for a customer. These valves ranged from 24 to 48 inches and operate in extremely harsh environments so they are composed of a very hard weld overlay.
Furmanite’s design and workshop teams in the U.K. created a grinding application to machine the seat surface to the required specifications. A mockup valve structure was manufactured mimicking the valve seat configuration in the workshops to facilitate the local cutting trials on sample materials supplied by the customer. This testing was to establish the optimum grinding tools required to machine the seat surface to the required specifications.
All trials and tests were successful prior to a technical visit from the customer and the work was completed on a 48-inch wedge gate valve.