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Design, operational safety and packaging compliance in the Tommasin approach
Transporting Dished Heads: Shipping Starts with Design
The quality of a large-diameter dished head is also reflected in the way it is delivered. Geometry, mass, centre of gravity and support points must be assessed together with the vehicle and the loading and unloading procedures. Tommasin addresses these requirements through dimensioned metal support frames, operating instructions and dedicated inspections.
When the vehicle and load combination exceeds ordinary dimensional or mass limits, the transport falls under Article 10 of the Italian Highway Code. The required authorisations for the route must therefore be obtained and the relevant requirements complied with, including any route checks and escorts. Planning must consequently begin with the actual data of the specific order.
Non-Returnable Support Frames for Dished Heads: the Tommasin Type Design
The support frame accompanies the product to its destination without requiring return logistics. The Tommasin type design covers heads with nominal diameters from 2,600 to 4,000 mm, distinguishing between two geometric families and assigning a maximum quantity, load capacity and profile sections to each configuration. Selection follows the specific design row, without independent interpolation.
Legs, support arms, diagonal braces and plates are manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the technical report, which specifies S275JR steel and dedicated construction and welding details. The number of stacked heads is a design variable and must always comply with the verified configuration.
| No. | Italiano | English | Español |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gambe | Legs | Patas |
| 2 | Bracci | Support arms | Brazos de soporte |
| 3 | Controventi | Diagonal braces | Riostras diagonales |
| 4 | Fazzoletti | Gusset plates | Cartelas de refuerzo |
| 5 | Piastre di collegamento Ø300/5 | Connection plates Ø300/5 | Placas de conexión Ø300/5 |
| 6 | Piastre di appoggio Ø300/5 | Base plates Ø300/5 | Placas de apoyo Ø300/5 |
Support Frames for Dished Heads: from Engineering Calculations to Workshop Inspections
Tommasin translates design requirements into Safety Operating Instructions in order to make construction, inspection and use repeatable. The personnel involved are trained and instructed in the applicable activities and procedures, in accordance with Italian Legislative Decree 81/2008.
| Phase | Essential check |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Diameter, geometry, quantity, mass and load capacity consistent with the type design. |
| Construction | Materials, profiles, dimensions and welds compliant with the design requirements. |
| Before use | Integrity check, absence of defects and correct application of the instructions. |
| Loading and delivery | Lifting sequence and separate verification of securing to the vehicle. |
Supporting and Securing Dished Heads During Transport
The design report considers the dynamic forces generated during road transport in accordance with UNI EN 12195-1. The support frame supports and stabilises the heads, but does not replace their securing to the vehicle.
The loading platform, anchoring points, lashing devices and securing methods must be verified by the parties responsible for the load. This distinction is essential for safe shipping.
Non-Returnable Support Frames and PPWR: Compliance of Transport Packaging
From 12 August 2026, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, known as the PPWR, applies. Support frames supplied together with the heads and intended to protect and support them during shipping can be classified as transport packaging. Their non-returnable nature does not exclude them from the applicable obligations.
Tommasin supplies its non-returnable support frames in compliance with the applicable requirements, with documentation controls integrating design, inspections and packaging compliance. Technical documentation and the EU Declaration of Conformity support this commitment, together with evidence concerning materials and the traceability of the supplied configurations.
The calculation report demonstrates structural control; the PPWR documentation demonstrates compliance with the applicable environmental and substance requirements. For single-use packaging, technical documentation and the EU Declaration must be retained for five years. Requirements taking effect at later dates must be managed according to the Regulation’s implementation schedule.
Technical Support Through to Delivery
Calculations, inspections, expertise and documentation contribute to a controlled process, consistent with Tommasin’s path towards ISO 45001 certification.
Involving the technical team from the earliest stages and sharing the drawing, mass, quantity, destination and unloading method makes it possible to define the support frame and shipping arrangements on the basis of consistent data, reducing late changes and operational risks.
Tommasin Technical Expertise and Support for Supply Management
Managing large-diameter dished heads requires production, handling and shipping to be considered as part of the same technical process. The Tommasin approach integrates design, inspections, documentation and customer support, with the aim of addressing the relevant aspects of the supply from its earliest stages.
For a supply of large-diameter dished heads or for specific handling and shipping requirements, contact Tommasin to share the order data with the technical team from the earliest stages of the project.
Regulatory and Technical References
Italian Highway Code, Legislative Decree 285/1992, Art. 10, and D.P.R. 495/1992; D.M. 242/2022 on transport under exceptional conditions.
Legislative Decree 81/2008, Arts. 36 and 37; UNI EN 12195-1; ISO 45001.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Arts. 3, 5, 15, 38, 39 and 71; Annexes VII and VIII. Official text: EUR-Lex – Regulation (EU) 2025/40
Tommasin, Type Design of Support Frames for Dished Heads, Rev. 00, and related Operating Instructions.
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