FOCUS ON TUBE FORMING
THE TUBE FACTOR
“ Tube and pipe manufacturers face growing production challenges from increased competition , rising material costs and thinner profit margins .”
Tube display at Wire & Tube , Düsseldorf , Germany .
In Part One of this article , we highlight a selection of some of the latest global tube and pipe forming innovations , including cutting and bending .
Tubes and pipes are some of the most versatile products and design elements in general . Whether in the energy sector ; mechanical ; power ; automotive engineering ; chemical ; petrochemical ; construction or other areas , tubes and tube designs in different shapes , sizes and weights can be found everywhere . Steel tubes and pipes cover a particularly broad spectrum , as these products are conquering new applications partly due to the innovative strength of manufacturers . However , thanks to new and further developments , they are also maintaining a strong position in traditional applications .
In the energy sector , pipes have become indispensable for the transportation of oil and gas , while also playing a major role as design elements . In fact , most structural foundations of offshore wind turbines consist of pipe elements . Pipes also fulfil important functions in the offshore production of oil and gas .
“ Other growth areas that will be supported by research and development projects over the next few years will focus on the customised optimisation of pipe and tube properties . Take , for example , new developments for automotive engineering . In non-motor applications , tubes with variable wall thicknesses can be used to support load-optimised lightweight construction ,” commented Messe Düsseldorf , which ran the Wire & Tube exhibition in Germany last year .
Image : LAMIERA 2022 .
Right : Laser-cut tube part ( image : LVD ). Forming operations
Tube and pipe manufacturers face growing production challenges from increased competition , rising material costs and thinner profit margins . Demand continues to rise for low weight and durable tubes and pipes . Seamless tubes and pipes with multiple bends are also needed in sectors such as energy , healthcare and transportation . Tube and pipe processing operations often take place in sheet-metal job shops .
Tubes are measured by their outer diameter and are usually smaller and less rigid than pipes . Bending involves metal forming processes used to permanently form pipe or tubing . The objective is to obtain a smooth bend without flattening the tube or pipe . Bending processes include form-bound and freeform , as well as heat-supported and cold forming . Factors such as material wall thickness , tooling and lubricants used all affect the bending process .
Generally , round stock is used in tube bending . However , square and rectangular tubes and pipes may also be bent to meet job specifications .
Form-bound bending , such as press bending