Joining Large PE Pipes in No Time at All: Integration of large connecting lines made easy

The first part of this technical report [4] on the jointing technology for large PE pipes presented the new conical ring coupler technology (Figure 1, 2): The mechanical compensation of extremely large gap ratios between coupler and pipe greatly simplifies the assembly of the coupler. This is specifically of great importance when integrating a fitting piece during which the coupler has to be slipped on the pipe section with its entire length. After the assembly, a "zero gap situation" is achieved. This not only reduces the fusion and cooling times dramatically, the adjustability of the fit also leads to an optimal and above all reproducible joining quality, independent of the varying pipe parameters. This second part is now to describe the usability of saddle component parts. The production of branches with large dimensions hitherto required the use of T pieces. With an increasing pipe diameter, the costs for the fittings typically produced in very low volumes escalate disproportionately. In addition, there is the expense of integration technology and above all the interruption of the piping operation. Novel saddle fittings provide comfortable and economic options.