Friday 16 May 08 - 14:47
 

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RIB Tubes To Go

Avon Inflatables, which has built over 200,000 high Hypalon inflatables and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) since 1959, has tasked its specialist Military & Professional division with creating a separate tube build facility.
Other RIB builders can now benefit from the expertise Avon Inflatables has acquired with its own vessels.
Other RIB builders can now benefit from the expertise Avon Inflatables has acquired with its own vessels.

The first RIB tube was built in 1967 for an inshore rescue craft, some 40 years ago. The Avon Hypalon used in buoyancy tube construction has excellent long term resistance to petrol, diesel, oils, acids, pollutants and ozone.

Other RIB builders now have the option of using Avon Inflatables to build RIB buoyancy tubes to their own specifications or to Avon created designs using the latest CAD software with integrated cutting machine.

Smaller companies can benefit from the skills and expertise built up over many years of Avon inflatables development and production of tenders, transom craft, sportsboats, and RIBs from 2.5 to over 11m. RIB companies can also benefit from the most recent investment at Avon in the latest boat fabric cutting technology giving accuracy of panel assembly and volume outputs previously unheard of.

Each Hypalon buoyancy tube construction is designed and developed 'on screen' within the technical department. Digital templates are then transferred to the adjacent production unit where the RIB buoyancy panels are automatically and precisely prepared by the pre-programmed cutting machine. The operator removes the cut panels arranged for the next stage in production ready for hand assembly into a finished tube which is then ready for attaching to the manufacturer’s own hull.

Avon can offer a choice of tube shape, fabric colours and weights, inflation valves, lifelines, grab handles and fittings. Maximum tube length is over 11m with 0.5m diameter.

The RNLI in the UK is supplied with tube sets for their larger rescue RIBs. For such professional users, Avon’s servicing division also carries out repair, re-tube and maintenance of inflatable workboats, Seariders and RIBs. The emphasis is on speedy turnaround with minimum downtime. Collection and delivery services are available at any UK mainland location. Engines, both outboard and inboard, can be maintained in addition to full re-work on glass fibre, electrical, instrumentation, and fuel systems.

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Other RIB builders can now benefit from the expertise Avon Inflatables has acquired with its own vessels.

All images copyright © Mercator Media 2008

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