HCL Unveils Subsea Strapping Tool at OTC in Houston

Bath-based HCL Clamping Solutions, the pioneer of subsea polymer based composite clamping systems, is unveiling its high speed new tool for subsea clamping at OTC in Houston next month (6 to 9 May 2013).

The pneumatic SM-FT-3000 Air Tool is capable of fitting a Smart® Band strap in four-seconds flat, competing favourably with traditional titanium or nickel alloy systems, but with many other benefits including cost and retention.

The SM-FT-3000 tool is designed to assemble HCL Smart Band® 32mm (1¼”) and 19mm (¾”) systems.

The SM-FT-3000 which has been designed at HCL’s in house R&D centre and successfully tested, has received early interest from a number of North Sea companies.

HCL Director David Coles, who is travelling to Houston to launch the new tool, said: “We have been presenting our offshore strapping products at OTC since 2005 and always attract interest. We expect the launch of the SM-FT-3000 to be quite an attraction this year.

“This new, superfast tool, makes Smart® Band an extremely attractive alternative to metallic straps as our straps can now be fitted at faster speeds than most competing metal clamps.

“Smart® Band has been specifically designed to cope with harsh subsea environments and is particularly suited to deep water applications because of its hydrostatic compression performance. Having been proven for many years in subsea strapping applications it is now more attractive than ever with the advent of the new 3000 series tool.

“The SM-FT-3000 has had excellent early feedback from clients, who note it is easy to operate and, at just 7kg, extremely light.”

“We look forward to rolling the new tool out globally over the coming months.”

The SM-FT-3000 is the first in a series of new product developments from HCL Clamping Solutions, which has invested £1/4 million into research and development in the last 12 months alone.

HCL is a world-leading manufacturer of offshore and subsea strapping solutions. Smart® Band & Smart® Tie offer an alternative to corrosion resistant metal banding.