Welding Pipe Rotators

Kistler's U-series pipe rotators are designed for improved welding efficiency and quality in a wide range of applications. These strong machines are mainly designed to weld circular objects, such as pipes. Automating the rotation process, Kistler's pipe rotators allow welders to concentrate on the welding process itself and improve the quality or productivity with lots of weight capacities to suit various industrial applications.

Rotators are mechanical tools commonly referred to as pipe rotators or tank rotating rolls. The machines are made to rotate cylindrical workpieces during welding, manufacturing, and assembly operations. These powerful machines are generally used on large-scale projects, like the welding of cylindrical parts such as storage tanks, pipelines, and pressure vessels.

Welding rotators consist of a set of rollers or wheels mounted on movable arms that cradle and rotate the workpiece. The rollers ensure smooth rotation throughout the welding process. Depending on the model and specific application, rotators can be either manually operated or powered by motors for automated rotation.

Kistler rotators are designed to handle any welding job ranging from small diameter pipes to monopile structures. They can handle any job like pipe spooling, pile joining, or even the weight of pressure vessels from 500 kg up to 500,000 kg.

Kistler rotators allow automatic rotation, which eliminates manual handling, thereby enhancing productivity, quality, and consistency of welds on cylindrical components. Our team is dedicated to helping you choose the right rotator for your specific needs. We are always open to customization of our products to meet your unique requirements.

Pipe Rotators of the U - Range U150 / U150 H

The tilting drive and electric control are implemented in the frame. There is a tilting system made up of a holding column, clamping arm, drive and roller box with pressure roller, providing up to an angle of roughly 135°. Though tilting on the U 150 and U 500 models is manual, in the U 1000 model, and on demand for the U 500, it is motor-powered.

For applications where tilting is not necessary, Kistler provides non-tilting versions known as U 150H, U 500H, and U 1000H. The electric controls and drives of the U-series are usually provided in a control panel or on the frame for protection.

ELECTRIC CONTROL

Alternative options on the electric control options:

Option a:

A remote foot control unit is included. It uses a foot switch that powers the machine ON and OFF and reverses the direction of rotation and has a foot pedal that controls rotational speed.

Option b:

A helmet or shield-mounted control system is available. This system enables the welder to operate the machine's power and rotation direction from their headgear. The rotation speed of the machine is pre-set.

Option c:

The rotation direction and speed can be adjusted with a remote hand pendant.

APPLICATIONS

These machines automate the welding process of round pipes in both plant manufacturing and pipe building. They eliminate manual rewelding by automatically clamping, rotating, and tilting the pipes. This prevents manually changing positions, thus reducing man-hours and increasing productivity. There is also a consistent quality produced by maintaining a constant, horizontal pipe position for welds. Moreover, joint disruption risks are greatly minimized in the process, enhancing the general productivity.

Pipe Rotators of the U - Range U500 / U500H

The tilting mechanism, located within the frame, provides a 135-degree tilt angle. This tilt function can be manually operated (U 150 and U 500 models) or mechanically actuated (U 1000 model, optional for U 500). The tilting mechanism consists of a holding column, clamping arm, drive and roller box, and a pressure roller.

For applications where the tilting is not needed, Kistler has non-tilting versions designated as U 150H, U 500H, and U 1000H. The electric controls and drives of the U-series are normally accommodated in a control panel or in the frame for protection.

ELECTRIC CONTROL

Here are the alternative formulations of the electric control alternatives:

Option a:

A foot control unit comes separate. This foot operated switch will power the unit on and off, alternate directions of rotation, and in turn control the rotational speeds via a foot pedal.

Option b:

The helm-shell mounted control system exists where the welder regulates both the power and rotational direction of the machine, while wearing the headgears. The rotation of this machine is pre-set for that required time.

Option c:

A remote pendant that can be used hand-in-hand to change direction as well as speed is presented with the machine.

APPLICATIONS

These machines automate the clamping, rotating, and tilting of pipes in plant manufacturing and pipe construction, streamlining manual and automated welding processes for round pipes. They reduce labor costs by eliminating manual repositioning and increase efficiency. This automation ensures a precise horizontal pipe position to minimize joint disruptions during welding, ensuring consistent, high-quality welds. Additionally, hands-free operation, controlled via a helmet or shield, increases productivity.

Pipe Rotators of the U - Range U1000/ U1000H

The frame-integrated tilting mechanism provides a 135° tilt angle. This function can be operated manually on the U 150 and U 500 models, while on the U 1000 model, it is available as an option on the U 500. The tilting mechanism includes a holding column, clamping arm, drive and roller box, and a pressure roller.

Kistler has non-tilting versions for applications that do not require tilting, designated as U 150H, U 500H, and U 1000H. The electric controls and drives of the U-series are usually accommodated in a control panel or provided within the frame for protection.

The welder operates the power and rotation direction of the machine through a helmet or shield-mounted control system. The rotation speed of the machine is pre-set.

ELECTRIC CONTROL

Here are the other ways of saying the electric control options:

Option a:

Remote Foot Control

The foot control unit is supplied separately. The machine can be powered on and off and the direction of rotation changed by the foot switch on the unit. A foot pedal controls the speed of rotation.

Option b:

Helmet-Mounted Control: A helmet or shield-mounted control system is available. This enables the welder to directly control the power of the machine and the direction of rotation from their headgear. The rotation speed of the machine is set beforehand.

 Option c:

Remote Hand Pendant Control: A hand pendant may be used from a remote location to alter the direction of rotation and its speed.

APPLICATIONS

These machines automate round pipe welding processes in plant manufacture and pipe construction. They have clamping, rotating, and tilting of pipes that make the process to eliminate repositioning manually, hence raising efficiency and lowering labor cost. The automation maintains horizontal pipe position, ensuring constant and quality welds, while it minimizes joint disruptions during the welding process. Additionally, hands-free operation considerably raises productivity.