Torq/Lite Robo-Spider Official Press Release

Following the announcement last week that introduced the Robo-Spider, the world's first fully-automated torqueing system, Torq/Lite has provided an official press release that can be viewed below. 

Torq/Lite Develops Technology That Automates Riser Bolting and Improves Safety

The Robo-Spider is a faster, safer, and more accurate way of making up and breaking out deepwater riser flanges.  For more information, visit the Torq/Lite Web site at www.torqlite.com, or schedule a demo by calling 713-983-7171 or emailing info@torqlite.com.

The Robo-Spider™

For years, the questions came consistently.

The process of running and pulling riser on offshore drilling rigs is one of precision and very necessary attention to detail. Technology has been at the forefront of that effort with so many companies looking for ways to make the process more efficient.

The goal was always the same, no matter the step in the procedures. Safer. More accurate. Faster.

One particular task was the bolting. Riser flanges obviously need to be connected (or disconnected) every so often so that they can be run to the ocean floor or taken and stored if pulling the string. The most common connection is a bolted one.

Torq/Lite developed a patented tool 20 years ago for this very reason. Dale Francis, who has almost 40 years of experience in bolting things together, released Torq/Lite's RT Series riser tools in 1996, designed specifically for making up and breaking out riser bolts.

The RT Series has several innovative features, and has been in circulation since its introduction. Operated two at a time, with two men on either side, the riser tools allow you to work on two bolts at once. The riser tools quickly became the preferred method of bolting riser flanges because of their efficiency and safety improvements in completing this procedure. After all, the operation can be entirely hands-free after placing the tool on the bolt.

Still, the questions kept coming. Questions about automation.

"How can we make this process automatic?"

"Is it possible to develop an automated system that can bolt a riser flange?"

"Is there a way to do all the bolts at once?"

Questions like these rang out across the industry, and one of those rings was the phone at Francis's desk. When asked if it was possible to develop a system to do this -- if he was capable of designing such a piece of equipment -- his reply was short.

"Yes."

Today, Torq/Lite introduces its most innovative tool yet: the Robo-Spider. It is the world's first fully-automated torqueing system, designed to make up or break out all riser flange bolts at once with the push of a button.

Safe.

Six individually-programed modules work together in unison to locate, spin down, and torque all the bolts at one. When the string needs to be pulled, the Robo-Spider will locate, break loose, spin out, and store the riser bolts without the need of any technicians to be anywhere near the spider.

Accurate.

With six modules, you can torque all six bolts at one time, giving you extremely accurate preload on the flange connection. During testing, the Robo-Spider performed to +/- 3% accuracy when measuring the load on the bolt. Now riser flanges can be as strong as they were designed to be.

Fast.

The Robo-Spider can complete the bolting process in about two minutes. Since it is doing all six bolts at once, that eliminates 66% of the time needed to bolt six bolts with two riser wrenches. Time saved is money saved.

The Robo-Spider is the first system of its kind, and with anything new, comes prototypes. The first Robo-Spider went out on the Sevan Louisiana in June of 2014. It was used for a year, and performed as expected, offering a safer, faster option to consider for the bolting process.

Sevan Louisiana Case Study

The crew especially, loved it.

Testimonials

Torq/Lite's introduction of the Robo-Spider raises the bar for the standard of bolting riser flanges. When the questions came, Francis and his team not only gave the right answer, but delivered a patented design that removes injury from the equation, increases the integrity of the connection, and makes the process more efficient.

It is safer. It is more accurate. And it is faster.

Please let us know if you have any more questions.

Torq/Lite October Promotion

During a month of disguises, masks, costumes, and pretending, Torq/Lite is running a promotion that is no trick. 

All U.S. orders that are placed on or before October 31st will give customers the opportunity to choose between two great promotions: up to 20% off your entire order, or an additional two years under warranty for your tools.

Depending on what you're getting, one promotion might suit you better than the other, so they're letting you choose. Some people prefer candy bars over fruit snacks, but if you're ringing the doorbell, Torq/Lite is letting you pick your candy.

The option of 20% off your entire order will apply to Torq/Lite parts and products with some limitations applying. If you were previously quoted, don't scream, because they will gladly quote you again for the same equipment (or new equipment) and include the promotion.

Torq/Lite already offers the best warranty in the industry: a three-year, two-tier warranty with 100% of parts and labor covered during the first year, and 50% parts and 100% labor in years two and three. This promotional option gives you an additional two years of coverage, making it a FIVE-year, two-tier warranty. 

Torq/Lite is taking the fear out of October.

If you're out hunting this month, stop by Torq/Lite.  The porch light will be on.

Torq/Lite Manufacturing and Operations

How can you make sure something turns out the way you want it to?

By doing it yourself.

Operating within an industry that sees a lot of companies outsourcing their manufacturing, Torq/Lite sticks to what is most important to them, because it's most important to their customers: safe, quality products.

Torq/Lite designs, machines, assembles, tests, and calibrates all manufactured products right here in the U.S.  An operation like that is quite impressive, and by all accounts, rare in the torque wrench industry.  An ISO 9001 Registration assures customers that they are not only doing these things, but doing them so well that they can expect the same quality product every time they place an order.

In addition to the machines and equipment that take part in this process, the Operations Facility (located in Luling, Louisiana - just outside New Orleans) also boasts a large inventory.  You would think that building tools from scratch might increase lead times, but they're ahead of that.  Many of the parts needed to assemble the more popular lines of tools are already on the shelves.

In an industry that requires reliable tools and often requires them quickly, having the ability to get them out the door and to the customer is extremely helpful.

It doesn't hurt to see the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped on the side, either.

All that attention to detail is wrapped up in a sturdy box with a Calibration Certificate and an Operations Manual, then delivered to you ready to use.  From the idea, to the drawing, to the manufacturing, to the testing, to the shipping, Torq/Lite builds your tool themselves and gets it to you quickly.

An Operations Department that puts that much effort and care into a product is one that stands out as a gem.  People at one company, with the same goals, with the same pride in building tools, are handling your product from design to delivery.  That is how Torq/Lite makes sure that your product is up to your standards.

By doing it themselves.

Torq/Lite HU Series Hydraulic Wrench

Torq/Lite has a new hydraulic wrench that is specifically designed for Hammer Union connections, and fits all registered sizes.  In our efforts to spread the word about our new tool, the HU Series, we have added it to our Web site here. 

Specs and other information about the HU Series can be found by clicking the Product Specs tab, and if you'd like to see a video, you can view that here.  

Hammer Union connections are currently turned by what they were named for, a hammer.  The hands-free HU Series is much safer, and not near as exhausting.  Check it out, and stay tuned for other products being unveiled soon.