Member Article

Webtool Designs Cutter for Inspection Class ROVs

Although best known for the design and manufacture of larger cutting tools, for use with work class ROV’s (Remotely Operated Vehicles) and vessel mounted operations, Webtool (an Allspeeds brand), are constantly looking to expand their portfolio of products, to an ever increasing range of markets and industries and has developed the industry’s first electro-hydraulic power pack.

This new pack is bringing a high-pressure hydraulic capability to inspection class and smaller ROVs. The lightweight EHP350 battery-powered power pack is designed to be used with Webtool wire rope and Softline cutters at water depths up to 1000m.

Due to their size and payload restrictions, inspection class ROVs have historically lacked the capability to use the Webtool range of subsea cutters, due to the weight of the hydraulic systems required. With the EHP350 power pack weighing-in at less than 7kg in water and capable of generating 350bar of hydraulic pressure, it is ideally suited to this smaller range of ROV’s. The EHP350 is available either individually, or as a package with a specially designed lightweight cutter (7kg in water), DFC1, being capable of cutting both wire rope up to ½ inch (12.5mm) and Softline up to 1 inch (25mm) due to the cutter’s easily interchangeable blades and anvils.

Webtool Electric ROV Cutter Battery cuts up to 20 times on a single charge

All the power required to operate the power pack is drawn from lightweight, high-capacity rechargeable batteries, thus ensuring that no power is drawn from the ROV, which ensures that no functionality of the ROV is affected. When utilising the DFC1, up to 20 cuts can be performed on a single charge and recharged using the supplied charger.

In addition, a major benefit of the power pack is the ability to power any double acting tool. The packaged tool can easily be interchanged for an alternative cutter, hot stab or similar. For larger tools with more swept volume, a larger compensator can be substituted to provide a higher volume fluid reservoir.

Electric ROV Cutter Battery compatible with our other hydraulic ROV tools

“For the first time, all electric ROVs now have the high pressure, hydraulic capability needed for using Webtool cutters. Moreover, the electro-hydraulic power pack is compatible with most other subsea hydraulic tools. This enables greater utility of the technology subsea,” says Keith Elliot, engineering director, Allspeeds Ltd.

Webtool is just one of the brand names designed and manufactured solely by Allspeeds Limited from their works in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire.

Other brands include Tangye jacks and pumps, Millingord sucker rod pumps, and Kopp variators.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by iCONQUER Ltd .