The pipe production line involves introducing raw materials, adding additives, mixing, cooling, extrusion, shaping, cutting, and quality control measures. Different materials may be used, and the process varies slightly for metal and plastic pipes. The finished product is tested for quality before being cut and stacked.
The parts or sections that make up the typical pipe production line will vary slightly, depending on the type of pipe being produced. While there are subtle differences between the manufacturing process of metal pipes and plastic pipes, there are some basic steps that apply in almost all situations. These basic steps or steps include the introduction of raw materials, the combination of additives with those materials in a blending process, and some sort of extrusion step. From there, the pipe production line will also include some means of shaping and cooling the product, cutting sections of pipe, and finally ending up with a finished product. At various points along the production line, quality control measures are taken to ensure that blending and extrusion produce tubing that meets the manufacturer’s standards.
Each pipe production line will start with the introduction of raw materials into the process. From there, other materials are added to the mix, with each ingredient carefully measured to ensure product stability. Some examples of other materials that may be used in different pipe manufacturing operations include antioxidants, stabilizing agents, and possibly additional metal or plastic compounds in addition to the primary material used for the pipes.
The process will continue with a careful mixing of all the ingredients used for the product. This is usually accomplished in a type of high-speed mixer that is capable of thoroughly mixing all the ingredients into one cohesive material. Typically, heat is used during mixing to aid the process.
Once the ingredients are mixed properly, the pipe production line process will move to cooling the material to a specific temperature range. From there the extrusion phase will start. This part of the process is set up to control the extrusion of the material, helping to ensure that only enough product is extruded to enter a machine cylinder and form the pipes. The barrel rotates and uses centrifugal force to begin forming the tube, allowing the shape of the finished product to emerge.
After extrusion, it is not uncommon for the next stage of a tube production line to include the so-called forming box. This is a stage where the material cools further, allowing the shape of the tube to become firm and solid. Sometimes known as a forming tank, this section of the line may also employ machinery to expose the pipe to alternating hot and cold in order to aid in the final shaping of the pipe.
A final step in the pipe production line involves cutting and stacking the completed sections. Typically, cutting is semi-automatic, allowing operators to make changes to the cut when and as needed. The equipment is used to stack the cut sections on decks or in bins as they leave the tube production line. A portion of these finished sections are pulled out for quality control testing, making sure the current batch meets the standards set by the company.
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