Advances in cylinder packaging are challenging the old concept of removable steel caps with an open-faced design. Technological innovations driven by end-user requests have resulted in new cap designs that offer compelling reasons to change the way cylinder valves are protected. Advances featuring open-faced, permanently attached caps offer greater levels of safery, functionality, and cost savings. Old-style caps, after exposure to the elements, have a tendency to rust and become tightly bound to the threads on the neck ring of the cylinder. Air Liquide's new SCANDINA Cap, for example, is constructed of polymeric material with an aluminum alloy sub-structure for added strength. Specially engineered plastic materials were selected for use in the caps; they resist UV degradation from exposure to sunlight and do not become brittle even under sub-zero conditions. Transporting and maneuvering cylinders is easier with open-faced caps, particularly if they have a knob-topped or similar ergonomic design. While safety is key, cost savings is another factor to consider when comparing open-faced plastic composite caps to traditional steel caps. But the greatest saving for the customer using permanently affixed open caps is in reduced cylinder handling costs. Safety, time and money are the three factors driving change for both today's and tomorrow's cylinder designs. While steel caps have served a vital role in industry for more than a century, new technologies offer users marked improvements in these three crucial areas. Air Liquide's patented cap, featured as an example in this article, is one version of the open-faced cap. Currently, the SCANDINA Cap is being implemented on Air Liquide's popular trademarked gases: Blueshield weld shielding gas mixtures, and Lasal laser grade gases.
New design of gas cylinder cap improves safety, functionality, and cost savings
Welding Design and Fabrication ; October ; 32-34
2003
3 Seiten, 4 Bilder
Article (Journal)
English
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