UWIRA OY

MANUFACTURING METHODS
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Manufacturing methods

PIPE BENDING

We are specialized in a flexible small batch production of bending. We have extensive experience in bending various materials: in addition to carbon steel and stainless steel we can bend super duplex, heat resistant materials and aluminium. Bends can be subjected to method testing as requested by the customer. We use high-quality equipment with camera imaging for measuring the ready products. With the measuring unit we can compile easily and reliably the documents required for the customer. With the measuring unit we can also take measurements of a sample pipe provided by the customer and manufacture a new pipe on the basis of these measurements.

We bend pipes by cold bending. We are able to bend pipes with the external diameters from 6 to 219 mm. The maximum wall thickness of the bent pipe depends on the bending resistance of the pipe and the machine used. With our bending machines and extensive range of tools we are able to bend pipes with a wide range of radii. The table below shows examples of bending radii, intermediate straight sections, diameters and wall thicknesses in the pipes we manufacture. We can also acquire new tools, if necessary for the customer.

SPINNING

In spinning, a tube is attached to a bench, where a rotating tool forms the head of the tube to the shape of the tool. Spinning can be used to narrow or expanding the end of tubes. Typical applications include the tubes of various machines and equipment.

FLANGING (PIPE END FORMING)

We flange tubes with the cold flanging method. Our machines form a flange or lip directly on the end of the tube, allowing the use of loose flanges. This method is more cost-efficient than the neck flange connection. The method can be used both with soft and stainless steels as well as copper alloys. The wall thickness of the flanged pipe can be from 1.5 to 6 mm, depending on the pipe material and diameter.

The flange is produced by forming the end of the tube with a rotating tool, the rotating flange used is the Van Stone type of loose flange. The flange can have a smooth or grooved face, depending on the forming tool used. When two tubes are mutually connected, a gasket is sandwiched between the flanges and the flanges are bolted together with two loose flanges.

COLLARING (PIPE BRANCHING)

We produce collars in pipes with thick walls. With the collaring method, the collar is formed from the material of the run pipe. A branch can be connected to the run pipe collar by welding.

Forming pins of a collaring head extend from a rotating drill bit and form a collar around the hole in the pipe. The collar is trimmed to the desired height. A branch pipe is connected to the collar by butt joint after the trimming. The whole process from drilling the pilot hole to the trimming of the collar is carried out in a single process from outside the pipe.

The advantages of this method include less wasted material, one joint instead of three and low inspection costs. The collar can be produced in any malleable material, such as stainless steel, cupro-nickel, aluminium alloys and copper.

MACHINING

We also subject welded products to machining, if necessary, should the measurements required for the customer not be achieved by welding.

Another company in our group, Kilkanen Oy is specialized in demanding machining. We can provide our customers with flexible and quick deliveries of welded products completed by machining.