Gator Operating Manual
Gator Operating Manual
Range
Operating Manual
www.fusiongroup.com
Gator Automatic Butt Fusion Range
Operating Manual
Contents
1 Safety instructions 4
1.1 Precautions when lifting 4
1.2 Risk of fire or explosion 4
1.3 Risk of electrical shock 4
1.4 Risk of burning. 4
1.5 Precautions specific to Automatic Butt Fusion Machines 4
1.5.1 Trimmer module 5
1.5.2 Heater module 5
1.5.3 Guidance when using hydraulic fluids 5
2 Getting to know your Gator 6
2.1 Controller 6
2.1.1 Inside the control unit 7
2.2 Heater 8
2.3 Trimmer 9
2.4 Chassis 9
3 Scope of Operation 10
4 Maintenance and Care 10
4.1 User maintenance 10
4.1.1 Oil check 10
4.2 Storage Guidance 11
4.3 Transportation Guidance 11
4.4 Servicing 11
5 Good practice for Automatic Butt Fusion 12
5.1 Good practice during Butt Fusion 12
5.2 Poor practice during Butt Fusion 12
6 Preparation 13
6.1 Familiarisation with Equipment 13
6.2 Clamp Liners 13
6.3 Connections 13
7 Manual data entry 14
7.1 Data entry 14
8 Status bar 15
8.1 Standard status bar 15
8.2 Backing up record to memory card 15
8.3 Sending data to USB memory device 15
8.4 Sending data to PC 16
8.5 Printing joint record 16
8.6 Sending data to Minitran 16
9.0 Machine operation 17
9.1 Power-up sequence 17
9.2 BlueBox 17
9.3 Service alarm 17
10 Information entry 18
11 Jointing process 19
11.1 Pipe selection 19
11.2 Automated trim Cycle 20
11.2.1 Oil Warm-up 20
11.2.2 Standard trim routine 20
11.2.3 Fit Trimmer 21
11.2.4 Pipe loading 21
11.2.5 Trim Cycle 22
11.3 Automated Check Cycle 24
11.3.1 Pipe slippage check 24
11.3.2 Pipe alignment check 24
11.4 Automated Join Cycle 25
11.4.1 Automatic bead-up stage 26
11.4.2 Automatic heat soak stage 26
11.4.3 Automatic heater plate removal 26
11.4.4 Automatic pressure build-up 27
Trimmer Automatic
Control Unit
Heater
Chassis
2.1 Controller
The controller keypad is located under the protective cover of the control unit lid.
Display
Input voltage
warning light Alarm warning
light
Up button
BlueBox LED’s
Return button
Right button
Start or enter
button
Left button
Down button
Close button
Open button
Heater
socket Chassis Trimmer USB
socket socket Socket
Emergency
stop button
Temperature
sensor
Hydraulic
hose
connectors
Input cable
Socket Scanner
protective socket Printer
covers socket Protective
covers
2.2 Heater
Securing
fixture
Heater/trimmer
stand
Temperature
Indicator
2.3 Trimmer
Securing
fixture
Trimmer
blade
2.4 Chassis
Clamp
adjusters
Fast
clamps
Never use the control unit if plug, leads or enclosure are damaged, the service
agent or Fusion Group Limited must carry out maintenance and service.
Do not attempt to open the enclosures - there are no user serviceable parts
inside.
4.4 Servicing
To ensure safe operation and performance are maintained, this product should be
checked at intervals of no longer than 6 months, either by the manufacturer or an
authorised service agent.
For technical information contact the manufacturer; Fusion Group Limited, via
telephone on +44(0) 1246 268666.
6.3 Connections
Connections to the control unit are located on the rear of the control enclosure.
Electrical plugs and sockets are both sturdy and waterproof. However, care
should be taken to ensure that the connections are always clean, dry and free
from damage. Protective sheathes are provided for the sockets when the
corresponding plug is disconnected.
Hydraulic connections for the chassis should be free from contaminants before
inserting the respective hydraulic hose. The connections may be disconnected by
pulling back the knurled outer cover of the hose fitting.
Connect the heater to the socket on the control unit.
Connect the chassis flying lead to the socket on the control unit.
Connect the trimmer unit to the socket on the control unit.
Connect the control unit supply lead to the power supply. Prior to
connection ensure that the electrical supply is earthed and suitably rated
for that quoted on the machines rating plate. The individual component
power requirements are listed in section 16 Specification of this Manual.
Open the cover and test the function of the RCBO device.
Switch the machine on using the trip switch of the RCBO. Make sure that
the Emergency Stop button is not activated.
Wipe clean the hydraulic connectors on the hoses and the control unit.
Connect the hoses to the Auto Controller.
- Accept text and exit (Action) - Delete the text string (Action)
- Select Edit Mode (Action) - Change font being used (Action)
- Switch between upper and lower case characters. (Action)
⌴ - Space character.
Memory status
Number of joints to next service
Number of days to next service
Time
Date
Input voltage
1000 182 SD
Memory status
Number of joints to next service
Number of days to next service
Back up to memory card status
1000 182
Memory status
Number of joints to next service
Number of days to next service
Download to USB status
1000 182 PC
Memory status
Number of joints to next service
Number of days to next service
Download to PC status
1000 182
Memory status
Number of joints to next service
Number of days to next service
Printing status
1000 182 CF
Memory status
Number of joints to next service
Number of days to next service
Downloading to Minitran status
12:35:10 03/09/14
This display indicates the current time, date and if configured, the owner details.
If ISO12176-3 login method have been enabled the unit will be inoperable until a
valid operator barcode is scanned. The screen will either prompt for a valid
operator barcode, when a valid operator barcode is scanned to the unit before the
information entry screen will be displayed. If the red button is pressed the user
menu will be displayed see section 13 user menu.
9.2 BlueBox
If BlueBox has been enabled then a mobile device must be connected to the unit
via Bluetooth with the BlueBox application open, before the information entry
screen is displayed. Refer to mobile device operating instruction for connecting
via Bluetooth. For further details contact Control Point on +44 (0)1246 262422 or
email [email protected].
! Service Required!
Contact
Fusion Group
+44 (0)1246 268666
+44 (0)1246 268052
Press ● to continue
If Service Lockout has been enabled - the unit is inoperable until it has been
serviced and the service period has been reset.
10 Information entry
The unit will prompt for entry of operator, location, optional data 1, optional data 2,
optional data 3 and project - if enabled - as follows:
Project screen
<Operator>
<Location>
<Optional Data 1>
<Optional Data 2>
<Optional Data 3>
<Project>
Continue
Press ● To confirm
Scroll onto the field required by using the up and down buttons on the keypad.
When the appropriate field is highlighted, either press the left or right buttons to
select one of the last five entries for the particular field or press the green button
to enter the edit screen. On pressing the green button the following screen will be
displayed.
Edit Operator
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F 1 2 3
G H I J K L 4 5 6
M NO P Q R 7 8 9
S T U V WX , 0 .
Y Z ⌴+ -
Scroll to the appropriate character using the up, down, left and right buttons on
the keypad. Then press the green button on the keypad to select the character.
Repeat this until the required information is entered. Then select ‘’ press the
green button on the keypad to return to information entry screen. For more
information see section 7.1 character entry screen.
After entering project the edit project joint number screen will be displayed. If a
previous project has been selected then the next project joint number will be
displayed on edit project joint number screen. The project joint number can be
made up of letters and numbers. The box will increment the number but not the
letters. Any letters AFTER the number will be lost for the following joint.
If ISO12176-3 operator login method entry is enabled and a valid operator
barcode has been scanned then the operator information will be displayed.
Note: that the operator, location, optional data 1, optional data 2, optional data 3
project and project joint number information is retained for subsequent joints. If
any of operator, location, optional data 1, optional data 2, optional data 3 and
project are not required then leave them empty or enter a ‘space’ character.
11 Jointing process
11.1 Pipe selection
After traceability information has been entered or bypassed, the screen will
display the jointing screen to allow the operator to change details relating to the
pipe joint. Please note that the jointing details previously selected will be stored
within this screen.
Welding parameters
DVS2207-1
Material
Diameter
SDR
Colour
CONTINUE
In order to ensure that the correct welding parameters are used for the jointing
process, the operator must select the correct parameters as detailed below.
The operator may accept the pipe parameters and proceed to the next stage by
pressing the green button.
Should the pipe or welding specification be incorrect, use the up and down
buttons to highlight the parameter to change then press the green button and
select the correct parameter.
If the standard selected is WIS4-32-08 or GIS/PL2-3 (GB) a pop up screen is
displayed allowing the operator to select either straight or coiled pipe.
Coiled Pipe?
▲▼Scroll ●Select
Always ensure that the pipe selected matches the pipe to be welded and that the
selected welding standard is in accordance with the requirements of governing
authority for that installation.
Once the pipe parameters have been confirmed the following pop up window will
appear.
Press ● to continue
Press the green button to operate the automatic oil warm-up sequence as
prompted. The hydraulic pump will operate for one minute and can be bypassed
by pressing the green button during the sequence.
Note that the top line of the display indicates the current joint number, the actual
and target heater temperature (indicated here with to signify that the heater has
reached the target temperature). The bottom line shows the selected pipe type. At
this point the machine can be manually opened and closed using the open and
close buttons (Refer to Section 2.1).
To avoid contact with the fast clamp levers, note that the trimmer must be placed
with the motor positioned over the clamp adjusters.
To secure the trimmer into the machine, push down on each securing fixture (1)
and then rotate the fixture by twisting clockwise through 90º (2). Note that this
procedure will also be used to secure the heater to the locator blocks.
When the machine detects that the trimmer is in position, a beep will sound once,
confirming correct fitting and the display will change to:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Set up
Load pipes
2
1
To secure the pipe, place the clamp over the pipe and raise the edge to ensure
that the clamp adjusters are hooked under, onto the clamp. The clamp should
then be firmly pushed onto the pipe and the fast-clamp toggle levers (1) placed
over the edge of the clamp it may be necessary to release the clamp adjusters (2)
– particularly on oval pipe. When fastening the pipe into the machine, the toggle
levers should be set so that only a reasonable force needs to be applied to fasten
the toggle lock.
As a guide when fastening, the fast clamp levers should be lifted in the direction
indicated and the clamp adjusters moved until the lever is in a vertical position –
the levers may then be pushed onto the top clamp. Note that the adjusters should
only be moved when the fast-clamp levers are in the released position.
The machine will open and then tune the trimming parameters for around 5
seconds indicating:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Auto trim cycle
The software control monitors the trimmer and if certain parameters are found to
be excessive, the machine will indicate that the machine requires service. This
warning will remain visible for approximately 10 seconds or until the green button
is pressed.
When the trimming parameters have been tuned, the display will indicate:
Trimming
The system will then gradually increase the system pressure to move the pipes
onto the trimmer in a controlled manner. When a small amount of pipe has been
trimmed from the pipe ends, the display will indicate:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Auto trim cycle
When the green button is actuated, the LCD display will indicate “feathering off to
finish” while the pipe ends are being finely “feathered”, to avoid a step on the pipe
end.
The motor will stop and the display will indicate that the trim cycle is complete.
The machine will open and the prompt:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Auto trim cycle
Unlock the trimmer by turning the twist locks anti-clockwise. Remove the trimmer
and carefully replace it into the heater/trimmer stand. As the trimmer is removed,
a short audible tone will be heard. The machine is now ready for the pipe slippage
and alignment check stage.
Once the trimmer has been removed, clear all swarf away from the pipe ends. It is
good practise to remove the swarf from the bottom of the chassis to avoid
dragging contaminants over the trimmed pipe ends.
When the swarf has been removed check the pipe ends to ensure that the
surfaces are sufficiently trimmed and free from dirt and defects. If the surfaces are
unsatisfactory; press the red button to return to the trimming stage.
Warning! Take extreme care not to touch the pipe ends at this stage and as soon
as the pipes have been checked, proceed to the next stage.
Check alignment is OK
As prompted, check the two pipes align correctly and that pipe to pipe contact is
evident around the entire joint circumference. If acceptable, press the green
button to continue the process. The control system will again check for slippage
before opening. Do not open the fast-clamp levers at this stage, otherwise the
machine with recognise there is a fault.
If the operator suspects there is a problem with pipe alignment or contact,
pressing the red button will return to the check screen. Ultimately, if there is a
problem, the pipe should be readjusted and re-trimmed.
After the ‘check’ and prior to the ‘join’ phase, the pipe ends will be separated. If
the process was started with a very low heater temperature, the chassis will not
open until the heater has reached the required temperature. Secure the heater
onto the chassis and wait until the heater is at the correct temperature before
pressing the green button when prompted.
When the temperature is within the specified limits for that standard, the display
will show:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Check pipe
Remove the heater from the stand and secure to the chassis as described in
section 11.2.4. Press the green button and the display will indicate:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Bead up
Using the two black handles either side of the heater, push the heater plate down
between the two pipe ends. The display will change to:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Bead up
Ready to join
After several seconds the display will also indicate, “Please wait”.
Once the initial bead has correctly formed, the pressure is reduced ready for the
heat soak phase.
Ejecting heater
When the heater has been ejected, the machine will close.
Is final bead OK
If the bead is okay, press the green button. If not, press the red button.
Finally, the display will show:
Joint:97 [ /233C]
Joint 97 complete
Pressing the green button will prompt for entry of an operator code to start the
next joint.
Manually aborting the cycle
At any stage the jointing cycle can be aborted by pressing the emergency stop
button, this should only be in emergencies.
12 Error messages
During the welding cycle, the controller monitors the system for problems which could potentially result in poor joints. In the event of
such a problem, or if an unexpected event occurs, a message is issued indicating its nature. The following shows the failure modes,
likely causes and remedies.
The error message numbers have been retained from previous ABF products for consistency. Some of the old error messages have
been removed since they no longer apply. Also included in the chart are other general faults.
Mode Message Reason Possible cause Remedy
1 Not cutting Trimmer has not reached Blunt blades Sharpen or replace the blades.
end point in allowed time No blades fitted Fit blades.
Trimmings are clogging the Press red button, open the machine and remove
blades swarf from blades.
Poorly set blades Adjust the blade settings.
5 Clamps loose Unexpected clamp Clamps or liners were not secure Press red button, open the machine, reset the
movement was detected pipes, re-secure the pipes ensuring they are
during the CHECK stage fixed firmly, then re-trim and re-check.
6 Poor bead Bead not formed as Wrong pipe parameters were Press red button. Select the correct pipe type;
expected in the allowed selected start joint again.
time
7 Long dwell (heater) Excessive heater plate Heater stuck in non-up position Check heater and machine for obstructions.
removal time experienced Heater up switch faulty Contact supplier.
8 Long dwell time Excessive heater plate Heater not ejected quickly enough Check heater and machine for obstructions.
removal time experienced Machine movement obstructed Ensure pipes are well supported throughout the
welding process.
11 Heater plate present The heater plate has been Heater inserted in error Press the machine open key to eject the heater
detected at an and then follow the screen prompts.
inappropriate stage
12 Trimmer present The trimmer has been Trimmer positioned in error Remove the trimmer and follow the screen
detected at an prompts.
inappropriate stage
13 Excessive drag The measured drag Poorly supported pipes Support the pipes using pipe support rollers
exceeds 60 bar
13 User menus
The User Menu allows the user to view and download joint data and System
Variables, change contrast and erase the history data. To enter the User Menu,
press the red button when in the information entry screen. Use the up and down
buttons to highlight the required menu option then press the green button to
select.
◄▼ = - ▲► = + ● = ■ =
If not enabled for user menu selecting the following screen will be displayed if set
language is selected.
! Warning !
Not enabled
Press ● to continue
Select record(s):
Last joint
From 24
To 24
● to Proceed
13.3.1 Send to
First use the up and down buttons to select ‘Send to’ then using the left and right
buttons to select the destination for the joint data.
13.3.2 Screen
Display the joint data on the screen. See section 13.3.6 select record(s)
view/download.
13.3.3 Printer
Send joint data to thermal printer. Connect printer to green printer socket on the
rear of the computer. See section 13.3.6 select record(s) review/print.
13.3.5 PC
Down loads the joint data to PC so the data can be viewed in Notepad. Connect
the green plug on the universal data transfer lead to the green printer socket on
the rear of the computer and connect the other end of the universal data transfer
lead to the serial port of the PC. See section 13.3.6 select record(s) review/print.
Scroll to the appropriate character using the up, down, left and right buttons on
the keypad. Then press the green button on the keypad to select the character.
For more information see section 5.1 character entry screen. If no match is found
the following screen is displayed:
Operation cancelled:
No matching record
Press ● to continue
No records!
■ to Proceed
USB drive OK
Send to: USB drive
Select record(s):
Latest joints
From 1
To 24
● to Proceed
13.4.1 Send to
First use the up and down buttons to select ‘Send to’ then using the left and right
buttons to select the destination for the joint data.
13.4.3 Minitran
Download the joint data to Minitran so the data can be viewed on JointManager.
Connect the green plug on the Minitran to the green printer on the rear of the
computer. See section 13.4.5 select record(s) data transfer.
13.4.4 PC
Download the joint data to PC so the data can be viewed in JointManager.
Connect the green plug on the universal data transfer lead to the green printer on
the rear of the computer and connect the other end of the universal data transfer
lead to the serial port of the PC. See section 13.4.5 select record(s) data transfer.
When joint data has been sent to USB drive, PC or Minitran the screen will display
complete ‘press ● to continue’.
No records!
■ to Proceed
System Variables
● to Proceed
Refer to section 13.3.1 for how to select other Send to: destinations for the
System Variables data. The first screen of information is shown below.
System Variables
Serial No.: SBOX30002
Plant Number: -
Property Of: FUSION GROUP
Software: 1.2
Voltage: 230v
Joint No. information:
Total 35
▲Scroll▼ ■Exit ●Tab
17 Accessories
Below is a list of accessories and Fusion order numbers:
Order No. Description
742182 Memory stick
23070 180 Chassis cradle
22481 250 Chassis cradle
12668 315 Chassis cradle
A.4 Japanese
サ シスセソ サ
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ナ ヌニネノン ナ
ハ ヒフヘホ ハ
マ ミムメモ マ
ヤ ユヨ ャ ュョ
ラ リルレロ ラ
ワ ヲ ヮ
A.5 Symbol
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Declaration of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity
EC In accordance with EN ISO 17050-1:2004
To maintain compliance with the appropriate Directives, this equipment shall only be used on
electrical supplies independent of direct connection to domestic premises.
This declaration shall become invalid if modifications are made to the equipment without prior
written approval from the manufacturer.
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fusiongroup.com