AUMA Actuators, Inc. (AUMA-USA) and R.M. Headlee won a job with the largest energy infrastructure company in North America. This customer operates 152 terminals as well as 85,000 miles of pipelines, which transport natural gas, gasoline, crude oil and carbon dioxide.  AUMA-USA retrofitted a SAEx/GS with integral AMEx controls on a 26” Rockwell plug valve in early 2018. This was a challenging retrofit as the valve was built in 1950 and there were no records or torque information available. Therefore, all valve dimensions were measured in the field to assure correct machining of adaptation and mounting plate, which aided in an efficient installation. This particular valve is on the primary discharge pipeline for 900-psig natural gas from the compressor station.

AUMA actuators were installed to replace the competition because the customer was disappointed with the manufacturer's service and reliability of the aging product. R.M. Headlee presented AUMA-USA as a robust and trustworthy replacement that would decrease operational downtime and provide dependable service.


Above: A challenging retrofit of SAEx/GS with integral AMEx controls on a primary discharge pipeline valve.

R.M. Headlee’s oil and gas knowledge combined with AUMA-USA’s ability to design and provide adaptation hardware proved a joint effort in winning the job.  The installation was accomplished without shutting down the plant or the valve; allowing the customer to complete the field retrofit quickly and easily.  AUMA-USA is committed to providing reliable after-sales service and support and to be your leading manufacturer of electric actuators and gearboxes.