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Why Manufacturing Is Still Important

Many people think that manufacturing is dead or that it has all been outsourced to foreign countries. However, that is not the case. In many industrialised countries, manufacturing has actually increased over the last few decades. However, due to improvements in processes, more advanced machinery and even the rise of artificial intelligence, a lot of manufacturing is no longer done by a human. However, it's still critical. If you are a consumer, a product developer, or even someone who works in the industrial and manufacturing industries, check out these posts. They explain and explore a lot of the reasons why manufacturing is still important and arguably more important than it has been in years.

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Why Manufacturing Is Still Important

3 Common Types of Steel Tube

by Terra Franklin

Manufacturers who plan to use steel tube need to know the different kinds of steel tube that exist on the market so that they select what is best suited for their application. This article discusses some common types of steel tube based on how those tubes are fabricated.

Seamless Steel Tube

A seamless steel tube is produced through the extrusion process. A long section of a bar of steel is forced through a die. The die forces the steel to take on the desired shape and dimensions. This type of steel tube is ideal for highly sensitive applications, such as pressure pipes. This is because the seamless tube rarely has points of weakness that can allow the pipe to leak or burst. The only potential downside of this type of pipe is that it may not be available in larger diameters.

Electric Resistant Welded Steel Pipe

ERW, or electric resistant welded steel pipe, is pipe that is welded using a technique that produces a tiny weld seam. The method involves getting a rolled steel sheet and passing it through a pair of weld rollers. The groove in the circumference of the rollers allows an electrical current to weld the steel sheet so that a tube is formed. The resultant weld is small and hardly visible. This eliminates some of the concerns about the appearance of welded tube. The small weld seam is also very strong and can last for long without failing. This manufacturing method can produce steel tube of varying diameters and sizes, unlike the seamless steel tubes that are available in a limited range/dimensions.

Drawn-Over-Mandrel Steel Tube

DOM (drawn-over-mandrel) steel tube refers to tubes that are made using the support of a mandrel (metal piece). The mandrel forms the core around which a sheet of steel is wrapped. The support provided by the mandrel averts any wrinkles that would have formed as the tubing is drawn through progressively smaller dies in order to get steel tube of the right dimensions. This method of steel tube production is the best when you want tubes that meet strict tolerance requirements. It is particularly suitable for making smaller steel tubes.

The exact type of steel, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, may have an influence on the particular way in which the tube is made. For example, carbon steel can have its chemical composition altered by heat exposure during welding. It is therefore prudent to consider the different fabrication processes the steel tube will be subjected to so that you select a manufacturing process that is compatible with those additional processes. For more information, contact a metal services professional.

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