All dimensions, weight and performances are for reference only and are subject to change without advice.
Each equipment can be custom made according customer specifications.

This machine has been designed and developed to help the laying of pipes in the sea. The main function of this machine is to apply a maximum tension load of 90 tons at a laying speed of 15 m/min to the pipes. If the maximum tension load is limited to 45 tons the maximum laying speed can be increased up to 30 m/min.

The machine can operate both in horizontal and vertical installation. It means that the laying line of the machine can be horizontal or vertical.

The particular design configuration allows the processing of flexible pipes and umbilical cables.

The machine consists of three welded steel main structures: one is used as the base structure and the other two parts are hinged on the base one. The two hinged parts can be blocked together in the upper part by a hydraulic cylinder that is provided with two safety pins and that are used to safe lock it.

Two track subassemblies (lower ones) are installed on the base structure, while other two track subassemblies are installed on the two hinged parts.

The two hinged structures with the tracks can be opened and closed by two hydraulic jacks each while the necessary clamping load on the pipe is obtained through screwjacks that are installed on the structures and are driven by electrical motors through gearboxes and cardan shafts. The screwjacks acts through compression plates directly on the track structure. Each track is compressed by two screwjacks.

Four direct current motors drive the tracks forward or backward through gearboxes; the electric motors are equipped with auxiliary coolers. The operating speeds of the motors, and so the laying speed of the process, can be controlled by speedometer dynamos connected to the motors. Two encoders installed on the motors can measure the length of the laid pipe.

The tracks are supported by groups of rollers that are installed on supports on the track structure through load cells or rubber blocks. Each couple of opposed track is equipped with one set of load cells on the upper track and one set of rubber blocks on the lower one. The load cells transmit the compression load to the control system while the rubber blocks acts as an elastic suspension.

An pad system is installed on the track to equally distribute the contact pressure on the pipe surface and to ensure a good friction coefficient. The pad system can be replaced to fit the processed pipe diameter; the contact radius of the pads must fit the pipe diameter in order to avoid a stress concentration that could damage the pipe envelope and in order to ensure the tension capability of the machine.

Four load-cells are installed between each track (motorization side) and the structures. The traction load of the Tensioner is strictly controlled during the operation.

The machine operation is electronically controlled and managed; this ensure the safety of the operations.

At the start-up of the motors it is possible to select one of the following operating modes:

• motor torque control (constant tension adjustable from the control console)

• speed control (motor speed adjustable from the control console)

In the automatic operating mode (constant tension), the PLC that receive the feedback signal from the load-cell controls the machine. All operating modes and adjustments are controlled and set through a control desk.