WorldWide Drilling Resource

46 MAY 2018 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® How Friction Welding Creates High-Quality Drill Pipe Adapted from Information by Helanbak Helanbak began by purchasing a drill bit company back in 2014, and immediately added drill pipe to its product offerings. While working with the different methods of manufacturing drill pipe, the company noticed key advantages of using friction welding. It provided the consistency and speed of automation, while still requiring experienced machinists to ensure every joint of drill pipe meets top quality control specifications. Friction welding involves combining two tool joint ends to a midbody tube using friction and the heat caused by it, to fuse the pieces together. First and foremost, you must start with high-quality materials for both the tool joints and the tube. Helanbak tool joints are 4140-alloy steel which have been hardened by quenching and tempering, and the midbody tube must have minimumAPI Grade N80. This grade boasts a minimum yield strength of 80,000 psi (maximum 110,000 psi), which is the pressure before metal deformation. The tool joints are individually installed in the spindle which has been precalibrated for outside diameter (OD) and inside diameter (ID). Depending on the OD (from 2-3/8 to 5-1/2 inches), the welding and forging ranges from 150-500 psi. Once the tool joint is installed, the midbody tube is placed onto the bed and securely clamped. The tube is aligned with the tool joint, and the welding process begins. Precalculated and programmed pressures are applied with RPMs (revolutions per minute) ranging from 1100-1800. Once the weld is complete, a cutter bar removes any remaining metal, leaving a strong, seamless weld. The post-heating process, with a minimum temperature of 1600ºF (870ºC), ensures a uniform chemistry between the tube and tool joints. Once the tool joints have been machined and the threads have been inspected, the company engraves a unique tracking number for customer traceability. After the post heat process, the finished drill pipe is ready to be coated and thread protectors are ready to be installed. Then it’s off to the drill site! Using this method, the Helanbak facility is able to manufacture at least 60 joints per day, at a rate of 3-4 minutes cycle time per pipe end. The company is dedicated to manufacturing customized drill pipe, bits, and drilling accessories for the water well, geothermal, and mining industries. See our ad in the WorldWide SUPER MART™ on page ___. WTR In Memoriam Kenny Walker (1959~2018) With sadness and heavy hearts, Mobile Drill International informed of the passing of Kenny Walker on March 25, 2018. Born in Oklahoma City in 1959; Kenny later graduated from high school in Indianapolis. He then joined the U.S. Army for four years, going on to serve in the National Guard for eight years. Kenny most recently worked for Mobile Drill International. He was also the drummer for a traveling Christian praise and worship team, as well as an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman. He was known as a truly wonderful man who was courteous, warm, kind, caring, hardworking, and one of those spe- cial people who made everyone around him feel a little better. He will be sorely missed. Kenny is survived by his wife of 27 years, Toni; daughters Katie (Andrew) and Rachel; parents Roger and Derotha Doss; siblings Chris (Shalane), Pamela (Dale), Cindy (John); and other extended family. Thomas Lauren “Tom” Stevens The Minnesota Water Well Association informed of the passing of member Thomas Lauren “Tom” Stevens on March 29, 2018. He was 84 years old. Beginning work in the water well industry in 1958, Tom founded T. L. Stevens Well Company in Maple Plain, Minnesota, in 1994. His son Joe assumed company operations when Tom retired in 2015. Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years, JoAnn; children Paul (Jennifer), Joe (Susan), Kelly, and Clare (Peter); four grandchildren; and his brother Richard. The management and staff of WWDR express their condolences to Kenny and Tom’s family, friends, and colleagues. Lest we forget... 59