Michael Charlton, Innovation Implementation Manager at Northern Gas Networks, commented:

“The Large Diameter PE Cutter is a product I am proud to have been involved in developing alongside Steve Vicks as it is a tool that the industry has long needed.

Having witnessed the tool in action, I was really impressed with the speed and precision of the cuts that it was able to make on large diameter PE pipes below ground level. Normally this is something that not only takes a considerable amount of effort to do with a hand tool, but is also time consuming and very difficult to get a straight cut, which is vital when joining lengths of PE.

I was further impressed with the tools function that collects the PE shavings, as this is something else that we struggle to control on site. Plastic shavings blowing around on site is not only bad for the environment, but can also find their way into the PE pipes that have just been cut, thus we are introducing foreign objects into the network.”

The cutter performs with precision even when the pipe may be under bending stress which can cause blade pinch when using traditional methods.  The swarf collector gathers the PE cutting waste as the unit rotates around the pipe, thereby reducing the amount of microplastics emitted into the surrounding environment.

Traditional methods of cutting PE pipe, such as rotary cutting disc machines and chainsaws, have been known to be hazardous to operators with potential to cause serious injury.  The PE Pipe Cutter addresses these operational risks, enabling the operator to complete a cut accurately and above all safely and in a shorter time when compared to existing tooling.

The PE Pipe Cutter is robust, efficient, safe, ergonomic, cost effective and is a welcome addition to SVI’s extensive range of pipe cutting equipment which includes, Rapid Rotary Cutters, Rapid Window Cutters and Keel Cutters.