The locally developed Minitap hot tapping solution was specifically designed by contractors to solve the common issues encountered in operational execution.
As the name implies, the main design motivation for Minitap was to provide a large offtake tapping solution which could access the often-confined spaces encountered in today’s in-verge operations.
With the rapid adoption of horizontal directional drilling over the past decade, available in-verge areas are now clogged with a multitude of utility services. This allows for limited space to use conventional hot tapping machines.
With an overall length of 610mm, Minitap can be used in a 1m2 excavation, allowing a higher percentage of tappings to be completed without costly further excavations or complex re-routing of pipework.
Minitap utilises an innovative cam-lock valve adaptor arrangement to further ease implementation in difficult to reach work areas.
With a weight of only 30kg, Minitap offers a very portable solution, specifically for use in compact excavations. Supported with a mobile hydraulic power pack and 8m hydraulic hose assembly, it can easily be used by a single operator in construction environments without proper road access to the work area.
“By having a man-portable tool which can fit into a very small workspace, Minitap allows the contractor to tap a higher volume of services, driving up efficiency and profitability,” Minitap Managing Director Ben Worst told Trenchless Australasia.
Robust and safety-conscious construction
Minitap is designed to ensure maximum operational availability, while also delivering a high standard of safety.
Not only do breakdowns of equipment cost money in terms of repairs, but the knock-on effect of rescheduling works adds to the bill in an environment where contractors are often contracted on fixed cost terms.
Minitap’s enclosed design and ‘over-engineered’ components ensures maximum longevity and operability in any weather and ground conditions. Minitap also offers a swap-out preventative service model to ensure continued availability.
While most tapping machines using electrical actuators, Minitap was designed to remove the safety risk by using a compact hydraulic motor. A dedicated mobile hydraulic power pack removes electricity from often waterlogged excavations and ensures an intrinsically safe solution for combustible work environments.
Innovative cutter design
Minitap supplies a range of dedicated diamond and tungsten carbide-tipped cutters to suit all types of pipe material. Where conventional commercially available cutters were mostly adopted from flat surface cutting, these cutters were specifically designed to work on bowed pipe surfaces.
Gone are the days of teeth rattling cutter contact, and stoppages to retighten valve bolts. These cutters offer a smooth and efficient cutting process.
Just like Minitap itself, the cutters are developed in Australia specifically for Australian conditions.
In a world where service support and parts availability can be challenging using equipment developed offshore, Minitap stands apart as a local supplier.
Through its headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, Minitap is backing the utilities industry all around Australia.
For more information, visit minitap.net
This article was featured in the April edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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