Water, Sewage & Effluent Mar Vol 30 No 2 | Page 35

industry

Fast, leak-proof connections into existing steel pipes

networking

tech news

Megapress

infrastructure

debate

Connections into steel pipework systems are still welded in many heating and cooling systems
and industrial applications. This is not only time-consuming and laborious, it also poses the risk
of fire due to an open flame or sparks. With Viega Megapress technology, thick-walled steel
pipes in nominal diameters of 15mm (½”) to 50mm (2”) can now be pressed within seconds. The
company claims assembly time is reduced by up to 60% compared to welding procedures.
Pipe connections in building services such as heating and air conditioning, sprinklers
and fire protection and compressed air and gas delivery no longer need to be soldered,
screwed or welded. Instead, they are “cold” pressed, which is more economical because
of the faster processing time, and it is safer as there is no need for an open flame.
For thick-walled steel pipes in accordance with SANS 62 medium and heavy and
ASTM Schedule 40, these processing advantages could not be exploited up to now as
the external diameter of the pipes exhibit considerable dimensional tolerances.
 The system has already proven its practicality on the US market where steel
connections produced in Viega’s Großheringen site in Germany, have been widely used
for the past three years. The press system is suitable for heating and cooling systems
and for industrial applications up to 1 600kPa and temperatures up to 110°C.

Megapress is economical and secure. The new technology for thick-walled steel pipes
saves up to 60% in assembly time, in comparison with conventional welding.

Water Sewage & Effluent March/April 2016

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