Esab (www.esab.com), a world leader in welding and cutting technologies, has supplied six submerged-arc welding systems, including Aristo 1000 AC/DC inverters, to FAI Officine Di Carvico Spa for fabricating high-pressure spools that are used in hydrocarbon flow lines.

FAI specialises in the production of high-pressure vessels, pipeline components, sea-water intake screening systems, reactors, and shell and tube heat exchangers; it also undertakes repairs.

FAI was established in 1961, and it has continually expanded and invested to maintain its position as a market leader in its field. Quality has always been very important to FAI, and the company holds ASME stamps S, U and U2.

The facility at Carvico (near Bergamo) can handle components weighing up to 300 tonnes, with a maximum diameter of 6.5m and a maximum length of 60m.

FAI uses a variety of metals, ranging from carbon steel and low-alloy steel, through most types of stainless steel to nickel and nickel alloys, copper and copper alloys, and titanium.

The fact that some materials are fabricated, whereas others are clad or ‘weld overlaid’ calls for a broad range of welding processes and consumables.

ESAB’s Aristo 1000 AC/DC SAW (submerged arc welding) power source benefits from a number of features that help FAI to maximise productivity without compromising quality.

For example, Bead Profile Modelling provides adjustable AC settings for precise control of penetration profile and depth, dilution, arc stability and weld appearance for the optimum productivity and quality of each weld.