Pipe fabrication is the cutting process, beveling, and welding of piping elements such as pipes, elbows, tees, reducers, flanges, and other piping components according to design documents. Piping fabrication is a key operation in the power and process piping industries because it engages hundreds of elements, thousands of processes, and a high level of precision. Pipe fabrication must be correctly planned, scheduled, and completed as per design specifications in any production project involving piping networks. It is necessary to achieve maximum quality of work during pipe manufacturing in order to maintain system cohesion, proper operation of each component, and reduce accidents. In this essay, we’ll delve deeper into the topic of piping manufacturing which our steel pipe fabricators maintain well.
Various processes such as piping material handling and storage, cutting, cleaning, welding, beveling, testing and inspection, painting, and insulation installation are all part of piping fabrication.
Piping Fabrication Types
They are divided into two groups based on the fabrication work and location.
- Field pipe fabrication
- Shop pipe fabrication
Several factors influence whether pipes are produced in a shop or in the field, or if both methods are used. Both field and shop pipe fabrication are used in the majority of cases. Profitability, project kind and scale, piping size and material, surface treatment after fabrication, environmental conditions, equipment accessibility, qualified staff availability, time demand and availability, and other factors all play a role.
Small bore pipes, socket welded pipes, and threaded are typically field produced, whereas pipe bending, butt welded pipes, modular components, and other things are typically shop fabricated.
Pipe Fabrication Tools and Equipment
Various equipment and tools are utilized during pipe construction to aid in the fabrication process. The following is a list of commonly used equipment by steel pipe fabricators:
- Chain clamps
- Pipe fit-up tools
- Pipe cutting and beveling equipment
- Pipe purging equipment
- Torque /adjustable /combination /hammer wrench
- Compass/contour marker
- Pipe threader
- Fork lift
- Hydraulic crane/tower crane
- Flange alignment tools and pins
- Grinder
- Pipe bending machine, and so forth
- Wraparound tapes
Pipe Fabrication Preparation
Pipe fabricators must compute numerous parameters from the drawing specifications at this point. They must evaluate the welding processes, as well as any distortion that may result from welding. Pipe supports, as well as other instruments used to connect pipes and flanges, will require some thought. Then, using the designs, they must create a rudimentary wire model of the pipe spool. The pipe fabricators are also given a material take-off and the client’s fabrication specifications.
See us at International Pipes in OKC. Since 1978, we are serving in this sector being a family-owned company run by our third generation. Have faith in us!