Branch components.

Firstly, I would like to highlight the word latrolet, weldolet are proprietary names of BF. However it has become synonym in the industry to use those names which is not correct. It is also referred as branch-olets prefixed by 45 deg, 90 deg, etc. not to confuse with proprietary name. Even the ANSI codes do not refer BF names.

Coming to the question, no doubt it is a seamless pipe made reinforced branch fittings. The beveling also looks fine for the profile of the pipe. Being a non standard size, the dimensions have to be verified  with the manufacturer only. But if you ask if forging or pipe made item is acceptable, the answer would be...both can be accepted as the subject is the reinforcing area and cross section thickness.

Additionally, the general opinion is that the BW Reinf.branch fittings has to be used within the available STD, XS, XXS, 160 is not correct. Though being standardized by manufacturer's, we can prescribe actual thickness requirement within B36.10/19 and to std plate thickness. As per my verification all the manufacturer's facility has the flexibility to manufacture the same.
For eg. MEGA a reputed manufacturer in Bergamo, near Milano, Italy is on such vendor. I would say apart from BF, they are the best company with the know-how of  reinforced branch fittings and any other forged components. Their catalog gives a detailed dimension of all types of Rienf. branch fittings for all thickness and diameters of B16.10/19, including the 32".

http://www.mega-spa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=43

Moreover some forging manufacturers like MAWO fittings in Germany do make special designed branch components which are not really looking like a 'olet nor a coupling and not always forged. Such components have been tested and proved at site and has less material and flexibility in mass manufacturing and of course cheaper than the so called weldolets or sockolets or flangolets etc. And the good part is the B31.3 code do not pose any restriction in such configurations. Pl. take note these components are proprietary of their customers such as BASF, Linde for example.

So I would suggest to use the freedom of the code to invent and design your own new, cheap and economical and ease in welding with reduced fabrication and testing costs by avoiding the cumbersome welding process involved in the BW branch fitting. The best would be as Raghu suggested, the RF pads, but that also has its disadvantages in the operation life span.

Regards,
Kannan.

On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 11:19 AM, Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING) <R.Bathula@ticb.com> wrote:
Can any one pl. share their experience on large size latrolets? I have not seen latrolet like this shape before, it looks like the vendor has taken a higher thickness pipe and machined to suite the curvature on run pipe. It s 32" x 28" latrolet weighing almost 670 Kg. in absence of catalogue for this size or any dimensional standard really it's impractical to judge whether it is a correct type fitting or not?