FLI Structures achieves less welding and fabrication downtime

Leading UK tower structures and screw pile foundation manufacturer FLI Structures says the installation of FICEP
FastRotators as saved the company precious time and made its welding process safer.

The FastRotator machine is said to provide production improvements in the welding and fabrication process by its smooth, easily controlled and rapid rotation of work pieces.

FLI Structures recently expanded its production into a new facility with a roof too low for an overhead crane. The rotation of every fabricated tower structure therefore required the use of a forklift truck to turn each workpiece up to 5 to 6 times before welding could be completed at each welding workstation.

The company’s 10 FastRotators are said to save up to two hours per unit as the welder now has individual control of the turning process. This allows each work piece to be rotated in a precise and controlled way to ensure the welding and fabrication work is a far more continuous process.

FLI Works Manager Andy James said: “We have used these rotators on a number of projects since purchasing them but the major one would be the supply of gantry steel to Network rail’s OLE (Overhead line electrification) project. These particular structures can be up to 25m in length and weigh up to 6t, so the FastRotators have been a great asset in helping us to reduce production times to meet the delivery deadlines involved.”