FLUID HANDLING
SWIVEL JOINT SPECIALISTS
ROTAFLOW
DOMESTIC ENGINEERING RESCUES
TYNE GANGWAY PROJECT
UK Swivel joint specialist Rotaflow recently
reminded us why domestic engineering
services providers can offer significant
advantages over cheaper yet often less
reliable non-domestic firms.
The bespoke Tyne Gangway Project hit a
stumbling block when a multi-flow swivel
joint that had been promised for the
project failed to be delivered.
The 210 bar hydraulically operated
gangway required an 8 passageway swivel
joint at the centre to allow the entire system
to rotate as required.
Facing a major delay to the project if the
swivel joint wasn’t manufactured and
delivered on time, Tyne Gangway reached
out to Rotaflow with a desperately short
deadline of just two weeks.
For reference, a multi-flow swivel joint
would take around 8 weeks to design,
approve, manufacture, test and then deliver
ready for installation. Facing such desperate
circumstances, the Rotaflow team had to
work round the clock to get the job done in
a quarter of the usual time.
ENGINEERING EFFICIENCY
A significant advantage Rotaflow have
is that their design, manufacturing and
testing facilities are all on the same site,
meaning there are no delays in the process.
The design team work in offices adjacent
to the manufacturing plant, so as soon
as a design is approved it can be passed
straight to manufacturing for the joint to be
produced.
When the joint is finished, Rotaflow’s in
house test facilities are used to pressure test
it is located at Rotaflow HQ, so the process
from start to finish is seamless. There are
no lost time delays when joints have to be
sent off site to be tested. It’s a major reason
than Rotaflow are able to deliver joints with
a much shorter lead time than many other
engineering firms.
THERE WERE LESSONS
LEARNED FROM THE PROJECT…
We like to champion domestic engineering
and this project is an example of why
it usually makes more sense to shop
domestically. This may be an extreme
example, but the advantages of using UK
based engineering companies include…
• No language barrier – clear communication
is vital
• No currency fluctuations – agreed prices
are set
• No time delays – domestically
manufactured parts are delivered quickly
• No working hours differential – we all work
in the same time zone
• No export or import issues – delays or taxes
at customs
INTEGRATION IS KEY TO SPEED
Integrated engineering solutions once again
have come to the forefront. Rotaflow’s ability
to design, manufacture, test, paint and ship
from the one location means we can cut lead
times down compared to most companies.
This way of working comes into its own
when a project requires such a short lead
time.
KEEP SUPPLY CHAINS SHORT
Rotaflow operate with a short supply chain
– having materials stockpiled means that as
soon as a design is approved, manufacturing
can get on with producing the swivel joint
quickly, without having to wait for materials
to be delivered, inspected and checked. If the
wrong or poor quality materials are delivered
from suppliers, there are more delays that
could have been avoided.
USE SPECIALISTS FOR
SPECIALIST JOBS
Rotaflow make swivel joints all day, every
day. The design team have designed
thousands of joints for all kinds of different
uses. This experience means they can pre-
empt and avoid potential problems with
design because they’ve done it so many
times before, cutting down time spent
designing a joint.
Manufacturing at Rotaflow is world class –
with thousands of swivel joints made, the
process and eye for detail needs no training.
The parts are made quickly, accurately and
nothing leaves the plant until it has been
tested and inspected. Having been through
the process so many times, it runs like
clockwork. This experience saves a lot of
wasted time.
PARTS DELIVERED, PROJECT
SAVED
It certainly wasn’t an easy job, but quick
and clear communication between Tyne
Gangway and Rotaflow means that the
swivel joint was designed, approved,
manufactured, tested, shipped and installed
in just under the 2 week deadline, saving the
project from a certain delay which would
have cost a lot of time and money.
Thanks to the success of Rotaflow’s
intervention, Tyne Gangway have advised
they will be looking to Rotaflow to fulfil their
future swivel joint requirements.
www.rotaflow.com
88
PECM Issue 39