Pipe Machining
Pipe Machining
Pipe machining is the forming operation, and it encompasses the various procedures used to cut, size, and shape raw pipe material into the appropriate shape. Pipe materials are used to make a wide variety of components for industrial applications. To change a basic pipe into the desired component, a series of shaping processes must be done to the material. Some of the most frequent pipe machining or finishing operations used on steel materials include pipe end threading, pipe end grooving, pipe end swaging, pipe end beveling, hole drilling, hole punching, pipe bending, cutting, and tapering with the fold. Performing these various machining operations on steel pipe materials allows for greater customization and flexibility in terms of component design. As a result, steel pipes are commonly used in a wide range of industries due to their versatility and durability.
Why choose tuspipe?
Since 1998, Tianjin United Steel Pipe Co., Ltd (TUSPIPE) has been committed to supplying high-quality line pipes.
With over 500,000 tons annual production capacity, the company serves various fields and industries, such as oil & gas exploitation and transmission, ship & auto-building, water & electricity, environmental protection, mechanical engineering, infrastructure construction and etc.
TUSPIPE places a premium on product quality and rigorous product quality control. In order to maintain good product quality, the company has established a Test & Inspection Center since 2004. With a series of state-of-the-art tests and inspection equipment, the test & inspection center is able to perform the tensile tests, hydro tests, impact tests, DWTT, etc.
Pipe Machining & Finishing on Pipe Ends
Grooving is a common pipe machining process for preparing pipe material for mechanical joining. It is a cold-forming procedure that involves radially displacing a tiny piece of the pipe wall. The end of the pipe is put between the roll set of a grooving machine to create this displacement. After the roll set is closed, the pipe is compressed and rotated to create the groove around the outer diameter, leaving a circumferential recess on the outside and an indent on the interior.
In pipe fabrication, swaging is a pipe machining process in which a die is used to deform a steel pipe into a desired dimension. The process can be performed cold or hot, depending on the material and the desired outcome. Swaging is typically performed on cylindrical materials, but it can also be used to form other shapes. In most cases, the forming process involves forcing the material through a die that is smaller than the starting dimensions. This process can be used to create pipes of various sizes and thicknesses. It is also commonly used to reduce the diameter of a pipe. Swaging is an important part of the pipe fabrication process, and it can be used to create pipes of various shapes and sizes.
A single tube length is typically less than 14m, however for certain steel pipes, the length needed often surpasses this. Drilling depths in geological and oil drilling are often more than 1000 meters, with the deepest reaching 7000 meters; used for carrying oil, gas, water, alkali, and mineral conveying pipe may extend for several kilometers or even hundreds of kilometers. As a result, a pipe with coupling must be connected at the two ends of the steel pipe threading. Threaded connections need strong connection strength and excellent airtightness to avoid steel pipe fracture and conveying item leakage. To suit the demands of a range of uses, the world has produced a diversity of thread shapes.
- Dome Triangular Thread is distinguished by easy thread processing, but the connection strength is low due to unequal stress and distortion of the screw thread. Poor sealing performance is produced by only sealing on one side of the thread.
- Buttress Thread, which provides high thread accuracy, a high processing need, and high connection strength. The side and top of the screw seal provide pretty good sealing performance.
- The direct Connection Type is characterized by the necessity for bigger pipe ends, one end of the external screw thread and the other end of the internal screw thread, making processing more complex. The connection strength, on the other hand, works well due to the high accuracy of the screw thread.
Pipe end beveling is a pipe machining process  of preparing the end of a steel pipe for welding. This typically involves creating an angle on the edge of the pipe, which helps to ensure a strong weld joint. The degree of the bevel angle will vary depending on the type of welding being performed. In most cases, a 30-degree (+5°, -0°) angle is sufficient. However, in some instances, a shallower or deeper angle may be required. Once the bevel angle has been established, the edges of the pipe must be deburred to remove any sharp edges that could interfere with the welding process. By taking these steps, pipe end beveling ensures that steel pipes are ready for a safe and successful welding joint.
Pipe Machining & Finishing on Pipe Body
- Pipe Tapering
Tapering is a pipe machining  procedure that gradually reduces the diameter of the pipe. It is possible to do this using a two-die rotary hammering process and swage presses. One significant benefit of employing swage presses to make tapered pipe material is that, as with any other swaging process, there is minimal material loss and the metal structure stays mostly unchanged.
Other essential features of this pipe machining method include the ability to expand the length of the pipe and accomplish some wall thickening.
Hole punching is a shearing (guillotining) technique used to make holes in steel materials. Hardened tools with sharp edges and applied force are used in hole punching to shear off undesirable material. Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or even manual force can be applied. Hole punching tools come in a range of forms and sizes.
Drilling isn’t a shearing operation. Hole drilling is the pipe machining process of removing material by using a drill bit. A drill bit is a long, sharp instrument, sometimes having flutes, although it can have a variety of properties depending on the purpose. As pressure is given to the drill bit, it spins fast, and the cutting blades remove a small amount of material with each revolution. The force used to a drill is typically applied using a drill press; however, alternative gear, including hand drills, can be used.
Pipe bending is a pipe machining fabrication process that allows pipes to be bent into various shapes and sizes. A pipe is bended by applying pressure to the inside of the pipe, forcing it to conform to the desired shape. In most cases, a die is used to support the pipe and help it retain its new shape. Depending on the type of pipe being used, heat may also be applied to further facilitate the bending process. Pipe bending is a versatile fabrication technique that can be used to create a wide variety of shapes and sizes. As such, it is an essential tool for many industries, including plumbing, automotive, and construction.
Hot Cutting
Pipe cutting is a vital part of the pipe machining process, and there are a variety of ways to do it. One popular method is hot cutting. Hot cutting uses an axis-controlled machine to cut pipes along a pre-set path. A hot cutting torch is used to heat the pipe to a high temperature, and then a cutting wheel is used to finish the cut. This method is popular because it is fast and accurate, and it produces a clean cut that requires little post-processing. Pipe cutting is an essential part of the fabrication process, and hot cutting is one of the most popular methods.
Cold Cutting
Cold cutting is a pipe machining process that uses air or hydraulics to power a cutting head. The cutting head is a mechanism with rotating blades or teeth that are used to cut through steel. The process of cold cutting is very precise and helps to ensure that the final product will be the correct size and shape. It also helps to prevent damage to the pipe during the fabrication process. Cold cutting is an essential part of pipe fabrication and is used in a variety of applications, such as removing old pipes, creating new pipes, and modifying existing pipes.