A split pipe caused air power problems for one local automotive tools and machine shop supplier. But we sorted it.

The challenge

Any engineering business is going to rely heavily on compressed air. Our client, a product design and manufacturing specialist and automotive product supplier, was no different. But the Sheffield-based business ran into problems when the air flow and pressure on which it relied dropped. They called our compressed air engineers to identify and fix the problem.

Our response

We traced the problem to a split plastic pipe. Initially our engineers made a temporary fix by replacing the affected section of pipe with a nylon hose, which restored air flow and enabled the business to resume work.

Although some types of plastic piping (ABS, PE and HDPE) are acceptable conduits for compressed air, aluminium piping is much less likely to split or degrade. Having already experienced the effect of one split pipe, the client was keen to avoid a repeat.

For that reason, we replaced the entire ring main with aluminium piping, reducing the potential for future splits, cracks and blowouts.

As an added bonus we were able to complete a pressure test without having to shut the factory down – something the client was naturally very happy about.

Is your compressed air piping at risk of splits? Ask us to check it before it has a chance to affect your production. Please contact us or call 0114 243 2347.

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