Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tank suitable for storing very cold cryogenic liquids, such as liquefied ethylene (LEG) or natural gas (LNG) or a corresponding medium, the basic form of the tank corresponding to a rectangular prism and being manufactured from aluminium or the like material. The tank is produced at least mainly from prefabricated construction elements of few different types so that plane elements to be used as shell panels of the tank, the elements being produced by mechanically extruding aluminium profile elements or the like, are produced, the elements including a plane part and a stiffening part and which are welded by their plane parts to each other using friction welding. The plane elements produced thus are provided with longitudinal and/or transverse stiffeners being produced by mechanically extruding aluminium profile elements or the like, which are welded to each other by using friction welding.

Abstract: A welded structure is formed by arranging multiple pieces on a three-dimensional support base to provide an assembly in accordance with the structure to be welded and making a picture map of the assembly by photographing the assembly. Weld points are identified from the picture map and welding parameters are determined from the picture map. Control data specifying the weld points and welding parameters are supplied to welding equipment that is operable in a three-dimensional X-Y-Z coordinate system. The welding equipment is moved in the X-Y plane on the basis of the picture map and said control data. The welding equipment is moved along the Z-axis on the basis of Z-axis position data that are acquired by repeatedly measuring the Z-axis position of the support base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cutting a sheet-like piece into one or several smaller pieces by using camera means and a controllable cutting apparatus, the directions and values of the coordinate systems of which are calibrated to correspond to each other. In the method the following measures are taken: the piece to be cut is placed on a cutting surface located within the recording area of the camera means, the piece is photographed by the camera means and on the basis thereof the outlines of the piece are determined and the information on the outlines of the piece is input into the positioning system, where the cutting paths are established and input into the control system of the cutting device, which determines necessary parameters for the cutting and on the basis of these, controls the cutting of the piece into parts according to given instructions.

Abstract: A welded structure is formed by arranging multiple pieces on a three-dimensional support base to provide an assembly in accordance with the structure to be welded and making a picture map of the assembly by photographing the assembly. Weld points are identified from the picture map and welding parameters are determined from the picture map. Control data specifying the weld points and welding parameters are supplied to welding equipment that is operable in a three-dimensional X-Y-Z coordinate system. The welding equipment is moved in the X-Y plane on the basis of the picture map and said control data. The welding equipment is moved along the Z-axis on the basis of Z-axis position data that are acquired by repeatedly measuring the Z-axis position of the support base.

Abstract: In a press bending arrangement for an aluminum profile, especially for manufacturing the equator profile for an LNG-tank, the press is connected to control and measuring devices in such a manner, that the reflection of the workpiece is taken into account both in bending the profile and in determining the bending control based on measurements being made.

Abstract: A large ship comprises a hull and several cargo tanks. Each cargo tank has substantially semi-spherical bottom and top portions; the bottom portions of the tanks and the top portions of tanks all being of substantially equal radius of curvature. At least one tank has a substantially cylindrical intermediate portion that interconnects the bottom and top portions of the tank and is of substantially equal radius of curvature to the bottom and top portions of the tanks.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a large basically spherical vessel from plane aluminum plates having a thickness in the range from about 20 mm to about 70 mm, comprises (a) forming at least first and second plane plate assemblies by downhand welding together plane plates controlled by a welding device including an adjustably lockable portal, (b) cutting each welded plane plate assembly to a peripheral shape that fits into the structural pattern of the vessel except for an allowance for machining in step (d), (c) bending each plate assembly to part-spherical configuration, (d) machining respective edges of the first and second bent plate assemblies to a profile suitable for welding in step (e), and (e) downhand welding the first and second plate assemblies together along the machined edges using a manipulator device that includes a tiltable support.

Abstract: An arrangement for inspecting arcuate plate assemblies of aluminum with a thickness of at least 20 mm, intended for the manufacturing of large spherical LNG-tanks or the like includes a fastening jig (3) for plate assemblies (4) to be inspected, and inspection and measuring means allowing, in a single fixation of a plate assembly (4) in the fastening jig (3), inspection of one or several weld joints (5). Measuring of the arcuate shape of a shape of the plate assembly (4), whereby, for the inspection of the weld joint(s) includes at one side of the plate assembly (4), a first carriage (19) movable along a first rail system (9), which carriage (19) is provided with a radiation source (20) for X-ray material inspection and, at the other side of the plate assembly (4) and a second carriage (14) movable along a second rail system (8), which the second carriage (14) is provided with a picture amplifier (16) and a video camera (17) for X-ray inspection.

Abstract: A large spherical vessel is produced by welding commercially available large plane metal plates together to form a composite plane plate, cutting the composite plane plate to a form adaptable to a spherical surface, and thereafter forming the resulting composite plate blank to spherical form.

Abstract: A plate body is formed from two plane metal plates each at least 5 mm thick and having an edge at least 10 meters long, by machining each plate along its edge to form a welding groove with high accuracy relative to the dimensions and shape of the groove and with a smooth groove surface. The groove extends from a first side of each plate through only part of the thickness of the plates to leave a root area at the second side of the plate. The plates are supported in the vicinity of the welding groove from the second side of the plates by a support bed and are retained by use of suction in relative positions such that the root areas of the two plates are in confronting and contacting relationship. A weld is created in the welding groove by butt joint welding from the first side only of the plates.

Abstract: A large spherical vessel is produced by welding commercially available large plane metal plates together to form a composite plane plate, cutting the composite plane plate to a form adaptable to a spherical surface, and thereafter forming the resulting composite plate blank to spherical form.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the solidification and accumulation of material from the tapping jet in and on the tapping spout in the manufacture of mineral wool includes at least one oxy-fuel burner at the discharge section of the tapping spout to the spinning machine. The burner (13) is disposed at such a distance and directed such that the discharge section of the tapping spout and the first portion of the tapping jet departing from the spout are heated by the burner flame and the impulse of the burner flame is of such a size that the configuration and position of the jet will remain unaffected.