Welding equipment

Tender description

The Contract the subject of this competition is a contract for the design, supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a Flash Butt Rail Welding Machine. The Flash Butt Rail Welding Machine shall be designed to achieve the following: i. The Flash Butt Welding of rails on the present rail welding line at Portlaoise within the existing building and ambient conditions utilising the existing depot power supply; ii. The welding of new and serviceable rails. Any limitations on rail section and length to be advised, including any change-over time required to change rail section being welded. Generally rail weight up to 60kg/m required up to 36m lengths, but the Supplier to state maximum and minimum sizes that their equipment will handle: rail alignment, welding and burr removal to be accomplished in 1 work cycle; iii. The welding cycle to be less than 5,5 minutes, from confirmation of lock-out of main conveyor (on both sides of welder) to release of the welder's own lock-off of the conveyors. Supplier to define parameters under which this can be achieved; iv. Alignment of the rails to be automatic and within +/- 0,3mm tolerance (vertical and horizontal); v. The rail clamping arrangement shall not leave any marks on the rail that could lead to a fatigue break of the rail in service; vi. Correct positioning of the rail ends inside the machine to be indicated to the operator; vii. Interlock circuits or connections to be provided to prevent rail conveyor being activated whilst machine is in welding cycle and prevent welder being activated whilst conveyor is not locked-out; viii. Supplier to advise regarding the need for any other interlocks or protective systems to ensure safe operation; ix. The welder shall achieve compliance with BS EN 14587-1:2007 and the supplier shall be required to undertake weld testing to confirm compliance with this standard; x. The Welder shall be capable of being monitored remotely by the supplier to assess performance and reliability; xi. The Flash Butt Rail Welding Machine shall comply with all Iarnród Éireann Standards and the specification issued at tender stage.