Pipe Shaping

Nope.

why not segment it ( as done for concentric or eccentric fabricated reducers) and make a reducer on that particular end to accept pipe of its own diameter. If required it can be machined ( if it is a concentric type) using a horizontal boring m/c or ground to accept a seal ring also.

It is a common practice in the fabrication field.

I think it is a fair suggestion instead of spending on huge equipments for spinning.

SRIDHAR.

Are you sure you got the dimensions right? I'm having trouble imagining a 6 and 1/2 foo diameter pipe with a 1/2 inch wall (sorry, that's what we call dimensions in real money). If your pressures permit (wastewater or simuliar) you might just go for a site-fabbed Fernco/no hub type of external fitting (I've field fabbed those to 4 foot, just a matter of scale and app). Information on the materials in question and the pressure/flow specs would be helpful,

Thanks for your replys, cost is the main consideration, many thousands of pipes varying in dia from 450mm x 5 mm wall to 2M x 12mm wall have to be manufactured. Also the pipe is spiral wound carbon steel presently being manufactured. A Standard on the shape of the final sizes and tolerences is published and has no allowance for lap welding of collers as such.

Initial cost of setup and machine construction is not an issue, obtaining the shape during the pipe manufacturing process is.

Thanks GR

Hi!

Look at this site: http://www.wortelboer.ws/en/index2.html

Also check Wachs, Victaulic, Gru-Lok, offer pipe machining equipment that rotates on the pipe. Check if their equipment can be modified for your purposes. I know Wachs has some capabilities, and Victaulic or Gru-lok can roll groove a recess for orings in smaller sizes and thicknesses.

Does the specification you're trying to meet allow heating the pipe end prior to machining? That might make it easier to swage and roll groove the pipe.

Thanks Ried, Will look at these sites soon. Am of to Philip Island for the Moto GP today so everthing else can wait.

Thanks

Forgive my ignorance, but why is it so important that the pipe be swaged. It seems, to me, very counter productive. Particularly to be using spiral wound carbon steel.

Could you clarify the importance of swage over other joining and fastening methods.

Thank you,

Charles

Thanks for your replys, Yes we do have induction heating to 900deg C for the pipe end. ( All sizes). The minimum cost of material and skilled labor per sleeve or adaptor on pipes of this size is approx $A350 to $A900 per adaptor with fitting. ie welding.

Take this to a 10,000 parts product run and the cost is not able to be added to the cost of the original pipe. Added to the fact that the pipe is hot dipped plastic coated and concrete lined after manufacture and you have some very expensive product.

If adding a sleeve or adaptor is used it is an added cost for each and every pipe for ever. If a machine is constructed the capital cost of the machine is spread over the life of the machine and every pipe produced becomes cheaper in cost.

A capital cost of 1 million $A would be absorbed in the manufacture of 5,000 pipes depending on their size. Very quick payback time.

Skilled labour is at a premium at this time and cannot be factured into the present cost in line with product output. A National Water Grid is an never ending project and costs and quality, ie repeatability, must be assured.

Thank you for sharing the details of this significant project. Please, do keep us updated to your progress.

cr3

It sounds like you are attempting to develop a very large diameter push-joint pipe system using spiral-weld steel pipe in place of cast or ductile iron. It sounds very interesting and appears to have significant cost advantages if the details can be worked out.

I would appreciate periodic updates on this project also. I can easily see cost savings when you are installing 200 or 300 "kliks" of 2 meter diameter pipe.

I am thinking of the Hilti type "thumb cutter" for cutting thin wall tubing. I am also thinking of the computerized pig and the automated facing tool (weld joint preparation).

An inverted Hilti, one operating from the inside of the pipe, hydraulically expanded and rotated about the ID. Computer controlled to create a flaring that tapers/shoulders to rcv mating pipe.

Am I on the right track here?

I have a friend who I will be in touch with. They might be interested in developing this machine as they have technology (proprietary) already in place - Southeast TX, Louisiana area.

cr3