Still, a lifting pad-eye is the certified interface between the lifted structure and the shackle, sling or spreader bar, and it carries the full dynamic load of a jacket, topsides module or platform lift. In general, Ningbo Ruican casts and machines pad-eyes to print for offshore fabricators, yards and lift engineering contractors. Casting the pad-eye body gives smooth radii through the load path and a sound, fully inspectable section at the root, which is exactly where welded plate pad-eyes develop defects and where lift engineers demand the highest level of evidence.
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Casting process | Silica sol lost wax investment casting; water glass process for large lift point bodies |
| Material options | Cast steel ASTM A216 WCB, ASTM A352 LCC low temperature, high strength cast alloy steel to specification, duplex 2205, nickel aluminium bronze C95800 |
| Dimensional tolerance (ISO 8062-3 CT grade) | CT7 as-cast; CT5-CT6 on machined eye bore, cheek faces and weld-in root profile |
| Machining | Horizontal boring and 5-axis VMC: shackle bore, cheek faces, weld-in root preparation, radius blending |
| Surface finish (Ra) | Ra 6.3-12.5 um as-cast; Ra 3.2 um machined; Ra 1.6 um on bore and cheek contact faces |
| Corrosion protection | Blast to Sa 2.5 with offshore epoxy scheme, or zinc-rich primer, or passivated stainless or bronze |
| Weight range | 15-900 kg per pad-eye |
| Typical lead time | 7-9 weeks including tooling, qualification and first-article approval; 4-6 weeks for repeat orders |
Scope and options
Key features
- Cast load path with continuous radii, removing the weld toe stress raisers of plate pad-eyes.
- Moreover, Bore and cheek faces machined to shackle tolerances for correct seating and pin bearing.
- Fully inspectable section: ultrasonic and radiographic coverage of the root and eye is available.
- Low temperature grades available for arctic and cold climate offshore service.
- Generally, Heat treatment with recorded charts: normalising, quenching and tempering to the specified properties.
- Serial numbering cast in for full traceability through lift engineering documentation.
Applications
- Lifting pad-eyes on offshore jackets and jacket leg lift points.
- Topsides module lift points for platform integration and hook-up.
- Platform lift and removal scopes, including decommissioning projects.
- Subsea template and manifold lifting and handling frames.
- Spreader bars, lift beams and shackle interface hardware.
- Fabrication yard handling points for heavy module assembly.
Images
Quality & compliance
We supply Pad-eyes with EN 10204 3.1 certification traceable to heat and serial number, full material test reports including Charpy impact results where specified, and a dimensional report on the bore, cheek faces and root profile. Ultrasonic testing to EN 12680 or ASTM A609 and magnetic particle inspection to ISO 4986 on all accessible surfaces are available on request, with radiography of the eye and root. Overall, we include heat treatment charts and serial traceability records, and proof load testing can be arranged with an accredited third party. Generally, Ningbo Ruican supplies the certified component and its evidence package. Final lift approval, including any classification-society or certifying-authority review of the lift arrangement, remains the customer’s responsibility and that of their certifying body; we do not issue class or lift approval certificates.
FAQ
What certification do you provide for a lifting pad-eye?
Each pad-eye carries EN 10204 3.1 certification with heat and serial traceability, material test reports covering chemistry, tensile and, where specified, Charpy impact results, heat treatment charts, and a dimensional report. Additionally, NDT reports for ultrasonic, magnetic particle and radiographic inspection are added per your specification. Proof load testing by a third party can be arranged separately.
Can you cast pad-eyes to a low temperature specification?
Yes. Overall, we supply ASTM A352 LCC and other low temperature cast grades with Charpy impact testing at the temperature you specify, typically minus 20, minus 40 or minus 46 degrees Celsius. Confirm the design temperature and required impact energy on your enquiry so we can source the correct grade and plan the test coupons.
Do you proof load test the pad-eyes?
Additionally, proof load testing is arranged through an accredited third party to your specified factor, and the certificate is issued in your name. Generally, we prepare the castings, provide the supporting material and dimensional records, and pack for transport to the test house. Tell us the test factor and standard at enquiry stage so it can be scheduled.
How is each pad-eye identified and traced?
Still, we cast each pad-eye with a raised serial number, and that number links the finished part to its heat, casting record, heat treatment batch, NDT reports and dimensional report. Overall, on multi-piece orders we provide a traceability matrix mapping serial numbers to heats and inspection records, which is what lift engineering packages usually require.
Can you cast the pad-eye with the weld-in root profile?
Yes. Where the pad-eye is welded into a jacket or module structure, we machine the weld-in root preparation to your weld procedure specification, including bevel angle, root face and any transition radius, and we verify it on the dimensional report. Overall, the weld itself and its NDT are performed by the fabricator under their qualified procedure.
What is your lead time for a project set of pad-eyes?
For a new project set expect seven to nine weeks including tooling, any material qualification, casting, heat treatment, machining and inspection. Repeat sets from existing tooling run in four to six weeks. Air freight and split shipments are available where a lift date is fixed; tell us the milestone and we will build the schedule around it.
CTA
For cast offshore lifting pad-eyes, send your drawing, design load, material grade and inspection requirements to Wendy She at sales@cnsandcasting.com, or WhatsApp +86-13777124360, and Ningbo Ruican will respond within two working days.
