Classification Society Standards
Our equipment supports compliance with major maritime classification requirements:
- Lloyd’s Register – Rules for Ships
- DNV GL – Rules for Classification of Ships
- ABS – Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels
- Bureau Veritas – Rules for Steel Ships
- RINA – Rules for Classification of Ships
Shipyard Efficiency
Modern shipbuilding emphasizes modular construction where pipe spools are prefabricated in workshops then installed as complete assemblies. Our stationary machines optimize this process:
Workshop Prefabrication Benefits:
- Controlled environment for consistent quality
- Higher productivity with optimized equipment setup
- Easier inspection and documentation
- Reduced on-board hot work
Marine Materials
Kedes machines handle the full range of shipbuilding materials:
| Material | Application | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | Hull piping, ballast | Standard beveling |
| Stainless 316L | Seawater systems | Low heat input |
| Copper-Nickel | Seawater cooling | Prevent work hardening |
| Aluminum 5083 | Lightweight structures | Burr-free cutting |
| Duplex SS | Chemical tankers | Phase balance |
What Shipyards Should Actually Know
The Space Problem Is Real
We’ve visited enough engine rooms and tank compartments to know this: the “compact portable machine” in our catalog might still be too big for where you need to work.
Before you buy, measure your actual access. Not the nice open areas—measure the tight spots where most of your on-board work happens. Some of our competitors claim portability for machines that realistically need 300mm clearance around the pipe. Our smallest ID-mount machines need about 150mm axial clearance behind the pipe face. If you don’t have that, you’re back to hand grinding.
Workshop vs. On-Board: Pick Your Battle
Most shipyards we work with have moved to maximum prefabrication in workshops. This is the right approach. Here’s why:
Workshop (do this):
- You control the environment
- Equipment is optimized and operators are practiced
- Inspection is easy
- Classification surveyors can witness procedures
On-board (minimize this):
- Confined spaces make everything harder
- Fire watch requirements slow you down
- Quality suffers under difficult conditions
Our recommendation: invest in good workshop equipment for spool fabrication. For unavoidable on-board work, simpler tools often work better than hauling full-size machines into compartments.
When Our Equipment Isn’t the Answer
Very small diameter copper-nickel (< 1 inch): For small-diameter Cu-Ni seawater lines, many yards use tube cutters and hand deburring. It works. Our machines are overkill for this.
Aluminum structural work: For aluminum ship structures (high-speed craft, superstructures), most beveling is on plate, not pipe. Look at our plate beveling machines instead.
Emergency repairs at sea: If you’re doing hot work at sea, you’re probably using what’s available. Our equipment is great for planned work, not for the repair kit.
Classification Reality Check
The classification societies care about weld quality, not which brand of beveler you use. We provide documentation, but let’s be honest: the surveyor is looking at your welder qualification and your NDT results, not your beveling equipment brand.
What does matter: consistent bevel geometry that matches your WPS. If your WPS says 37.5° and your bevels are all over the place, you’ll have problems.
Our Honest Recommendations for Shipyards
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For new-build pipe shops: A DCM Stationary machine is the right investment. One machine can prep most of a vessel’s pipe spools.
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For repair and conversion yards: You need flexibility. Consider the ISE T-Model range for variable diameter work.
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For on-board work: Be realistic. If spaces are tight, sometimes the best solution is a well-trained fitter with good hand tools. We won’t oversell you equipment that won’t fit.
