Hydratight invests $1 million in new machining capacity

Offshore staff

WALSALL, UK -- Hydratight has invested $1 million in a new Mazak Integrex machining center. The investment will expand production capabilities at the company's Walsall, UK facility and reduce lead times for its Morgrip products by as much as 30%.

According to Hydratight, demand for Morgrip is increasing driven by new projects in Brazil and the Caspian region. A number of these orders, the company adds, are topside couplings for planned repair of FPSOs.

Hydratight says a majority of its Morgrip couplings, which range in size from 1 in. (2.5 cm) to 48 in. (122 cm), are used for subsea and topside repair of pipelines.

The Integrex machining center allows for tight tolerances necessary in the design and manufacturing of Morgrip couplings to be met in a quicker and more efficient manner, Hydratight says. The Integrex has about 80 tool cartridges in its magazine for use in functions that it changes frequently. The machine will also be used to produce other components in the Hydratight bolt tightening tool range.

8/8/2007