A True Game-Changer for PIPE CUTTING
Published: 22/1, 2020
Everybody working within cutting concrete knows how heavy and time-consuming pipe cutting is. Two years ago, Paddy Brosnan, founder and director of Sydney, Australia, concrete cutting firm, Extreme Cut Services, was driving home from work and noticed hundreds of pipes by the side of the road where a new major road and sewer line was being constructed. Having cut this type of pipe before, he knew how labor-intensive it would be for someone stuck in the trenches cutting these pipes. He also knew a lot of people in the industry who had back injuries and lacerations from handsaws which is the traditional way of cutting pipes. He imagined there had to be a safer, quicker, and easier way to cut pipes, particularly angles.
A two-year design journey
Brosnan couldn’t drop the idea that there had to be a way of developing a safer, more efficient, automated and environmentally friendly way of cutting pipes. He started to do a lot of research to see what was already available and what demand there might be for something new. A two-year journey began which saw the design and build of a working multi angle internal pipe saw prototype. In early November 2019 Brosnan’s patent application number came through, so now he can safely raise awareness about the new device and hope to receive interest in the features and benefits of his new saw.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen innovation and automation in terms of pipe cutting,” Brosnan says. “I have used my 40 years of experience in mechanical engineering, as well as cutting and drilling, to produce a saw that provides tangible benefits for operators and project outcomes including increased safety, speed and accuracy. The unique feature of my new internal pipe saw is its ability to cut pipes at any angle up to 45o. It is also highly versatile. By fitting different diamond blades, it can cut concrete, steel, ductile iron and refractory lined pipes. This is a real game-changer.”
The internal pipe saw can be used in a variety of applications making it a highly attractive proposition for an equipment manufacturer. The potential industries for its use include civil contractors, pipe layers, pipe manufacturers, piling demolition companies, concrete cutting companies, equipment rental companies and others.
Many advantages
To date, Brosnan has performed numerous successful tests on his new saw and has identified numerous features and benefits, which include operation directly leading to a reduction in injuries and toxic dust / mist exposure which reduces long term health issues and minimizes liability for companies. The saw cuts multi angles up to 45o, cut pipes with diameters from 35.4 in (900mm) up to 10.5 ft (3.2m). By fitting different diamond blades, it can cut concrete, steel, ductile iron, and refractory lined pipes. It is also less labor-intensive than handsaws, cutting pipes in just one set up with no need to turn or reposition the pipe. Other attributes include a clean and accurate first time cut which results in less time spent cutting and is able to cut submarine pipes and hollow piles below the silt line. The transportable modular system can fit through a 23.6 in (600mm) manhole with a plasma cutter that can be fitted for cutting metal pipes.
Brosnan believes that this new pipe cutting method and system could go into production, although to go into manufacturing himself he thinks is rather farfetched. Instead he is seeking expressions of interest from equipment manufactures around the world looking to acquire a new and innovative prototype, designed to fill a gap in the pipe cutting market.