Rotary Tube Drawing
Rotary tube drawing is a metal-forming process used to manufacture seamless metal tubes and pipes. The process is similar to conventional tube drawing, but it uses a rotating mandrel to draw long lengths of metal into a seamless tube or pipe. It is used for a variety of metals and alloys and is capable of producing tubes or pipes in a range of diameters and wall thicknesses.
Rotary tube drawing involves pressing a strength-hardened metal bar, or a series of bars, through a rotating, tapered die. This die acts as a reducing die, compressing the metal into a long tube. As the metal is drawn down the die, it flows around the mandrel within the die, forming a continuous tube without seams. Depending on the requirements, finished tubes may require further reduction, heat treatment, or other processes.
One of the main advantages of rotary tube drawing is that it can produce large, seamless tubes in high volumes. For example, it can produce a single tube up to 28ft (8.5m) in length with a consistent wall thickness of 0.004” (0.1mm). Furthermore, the process can produce sturdier and more consistent tubing when compared to other tube drawing processes.
The process is relatively easy to use and maintain, making it an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing option for many industries. It is used extensively in automotive, construction, aerospace and other industries that require large quantities of seamless metal tubes and pipes.
The process of rotary tube drawing has gone a long way towards improving the capabilities of tube making. The process offers considerable cost savings and greater efficiency by producing seamless metal tubes efficiently, quickly, and in large quantities. The process is suitable for a wide range of tube diameters, wall thicknesses, and metal alloys and is an invaluable option for many industries.
