The ASME BioProcessing Equipment (BPE) Standard, launched in 1997, is one of the youngest standards in ASME’s roster of over 500 codes and standards.
ASME BPE Tube Fitting standards address the core issues of consistent weldability using orbital welding. Dimensions of straight lengths on fittings such as Bends and Tees are designed specifically keeping in mind the requirements of clamping of the fittings in orbital welding machine fixtures. By introducing controlled sulphur levels for the material of weld ends (between 0.005-0.017). The standard has also addressed the issue of weld bead consistency.
With six different options of internal surface finish in both electro-polished as well as mechanical polished, the ASME BPE tube fitting standard further give the end - user flexibility in specifying internal finishes based on specific applications.
The genesis of the ASME-BPE Standard is due to the inability of component and equipment manufacturers to manufacture fittings, tubing, process components and equipment to the same critical dimensions or standards. In the early eighties there was no widely accepted standard addressing this issue for the bioprocessing industry. It was not uncommon for fittings, tubing and process components to be un-weldable in field installations.
In 1988, a group of manufacturers and end-users met at the ASME Winter Meeting (WAM) in San Francisco began discussions related to creating meaningful standards for the bioprocessing industry. The first sub-committee meetings were held in 1990 with the first BPE Standard being published in 1997.
Along with the needs of the biopharm industry, the BPE Standard also evolved. In addition to defining dimensions and tolerances for fittings, tubing and process components; the standard also addresses: designs relating to sterility and clean-ability, material joining, surface finish, seals, metallic materials of construction and polymer-based materials as related to fittings, components and equipment.
The current ASME BPE 20009 Standard is on par with international standards, now recognized in over 30 countries serving the needs of those involved in the bio processing, pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries.
ASME BPE has given the ability to the end users to source consistent quality fittings and tubing for their projects from a range of suppliers and yet be shore that there will be no problems of welding, inter-changeability or intermixing as all the fittings are made to one consistent specification.
Kinglai Hygienic Material Co. Ltd. is one of the world largest manufacturers of ASME BPE tubes & fittings. Their state-of-art facility is modern and up to date on manufacturing technology, quality management and related documentation. Kinglai is a member of the ASME BPE committee and helps in establishing better standards for hygenic applications.
With worldwide sales operations Kinglai has an impressive customer list covering most major international pharma companies. In India, Kinglai is represented by their distributor, Inline Technologies,Bangalore.
Inline Technologies maintain a large local stock for ASME BPE tube and fitting products to service all immediate and project needs of pharma clients.