Thompson / KUKA Automated Friction Welding Line

Overview

An integrated line, ready to be moved and recommissioned.

Strategic Asset Advisors is presenting the confidential sale of a Thompson friction welding and KUKA robotic handling line, originally engineered for heavyweight drill pipe and other high-strength tubular components.

The line combines a Thompson sliding-head friction welder with robotic loading, heavy-duty roller conveyance, internal and external weld flash removal, and the supporting hydraulic and cooling systems — all installed together in a single production hall. It was built in 2019, installed and successfully tested, and has never entered commercial production.

It is available for acquisition and relocation.

Photographs

The line, as installed.

The complete line as installed in the hall. Thompson welder and KUKA robot. Sliding head of the Thompson welder. Chuck face. KUKA robot at the chuck. Roller conveyance and steadies. Chiller beside the cell. Hydraulic power unit.

Select a photograph to enlarge it. Additional photographs and video are available to qualified parties.

At a glance

Key specifications

Welding machine

Thompson Model DP5 (API 5DP) SE — sliding-head, single-headed, direct-drive friction welder

Robot handling

KUKA KR270 Ultra robot (KRC4 controller) with Schunk three-jaw gripper

Tool joint capacity

Up to 168.5 mm outside diameter

Drill pipe sizes

73, 89, 114 and 127 mm

Connections

NC-46 and NC-50

Spindle speed

Up to 583 rpm

Head stroke / speed

750 mm stroke · up to 125 mm/s

Hydraulics

600 L power pack · up to 205 bar

Supply

400 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz · compressed air 5.5 bar

Year built

2019

Compliance

EC Declaration of Incorporation of partly completed machinery

Serial and contract numbers

Available under NDA

Ownership and title documentation

Available under NDA

Test records, manuals and equipment inventory

Available under NDA

Specifications are drawn from the equipment’s documentation and are provided for orientation only. They are subject to verification by the buyer during diligence.

What’s included

Equipment

A complete equipment inventory, including tooling and spares, is provided under NDA.

Process flow

From pipe to finished weld.

1. Material handling
2. Robotic loading
3. Friction welding
4. Internal and external flash removal
5. Finished component

Applications

Built for drill pipe. Potentially relevant beyond it.

Applications outside the original configuration are possibilities only. They may require engineering, tooling, reconfiguration and qualification, and must be verified by the buyer.

Condition

Successfully tested. Never in commercial production.

The line was installed and successfully tested, then never commissioned for commercial production. It therefore has no commercial operating history, and no production volumes, throughput, weld-quality results or certifications are claimed here. Supporting documentation is provided to qualified parties in diligence, and the buyer remains responsible for completing the machinery’s conformity documentation for its own site.

Questions about OEM technical support, spare parts and tooling can be explored with the OEM as part of diligence.

Why it may be of interest

A rare, integrated asset.

Acquisition process

How to proceed.

Site inspections can be arranged for qualified parties following execution of an NDA, with logistics coordinated through Strategic Asset Advisors.

1. NDA
2. Data room
3. Site visit
4. Indications of interest
5. Final offers
6. Closing