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Product Information

The repair scheme consisted of the replacement of the header, which required the cutting of 70 2” (50.8mm) dia. Fin Tubes. The project scope called for the tubes to be cut along the header as parallel to each other as possible. In addition, the fins needed to be removed 4” (101.6mm) back from the face. This project challenged Wachs to develop a unique machining system to meet the projects machining and turn around requirements.

Wachs Solution:
The E.H. Wachs Company developed the boiler head Fin Tube Machining System to accomplish the repair. The system consisted of five machines:

• A track saw (Wachs Panel Pro), typically used for waterwall removal, was used to cut the multiple Fin Tubes parallel
• Four LB boiler tube machines, each outfitted with custom designed 1” (25.4mm), 2” (50.8mm) and 3” (76.2mm) tool head extensions, were used progressively to machine the 4” (101.6mm) length. The use of multiple machines eliminated the time-consuming task of disassembling a machine for tool head change out.

Using the Fin Tube Machining System, the site schedule was met. The tube cutting process was performed in six hours and the Fin Tube machining was completed in less than 48 hours.