Not just anybody can shape and cut steel – it can be a difficult task that requires skill, experience, and knowledge of the industry.
Steel is a fairly robust metal, which is ideal for creating durable products such as those used in infrastructure. However, this means that it is generally quite difficult to manipulate.
Although it’s possible to do so using hand tools, most steel profiling services will use machinery to ensure that the job is done accurately and meets expectations.
There are a variety of ways that steel can be shaped – keep reading to learn more about steel profiling and the processes used.
Steel profiling is essentially a way in which steel is cut, bet, and shaped into specific shapes.
Trained and skilled workers will do this to create a variety of products – from machine parts and tools to construction materials.
Steel profiling can be completed in a number of ways, including laser cutting, profile cutting, and plasma cutting – all of which have different designated machines to complete the final product.
If you plan on hiring steel profiling services, it’s always best to consult with them to develop an understanding of the methods used and to communicate clearly what your desired final product is.
Different types of steel can be used in the steel profiling process, providing that the work completed is accurate, intricate, and uniform.
The steel profiling process may vary depending on the requirements, the company, and the resources available.
The method in which the steel is manipulated depends entirely on what the desired outcome is – however, the general process goes as follows:
As there are a variety of methods available to manipulate metal, it’s important to gain a firm understanding of the requirements in order to decide the best approach.
Creating a brief is key to creating an excellent product. Before getting started, the steel profiling provider should discuss the task with the client and ask a variety of relevant questions in order for the final product to meet expectations.
It’s always good to check if the steel cutting provider is quality certified, as well as checking for relevant accreditations and experience.
One of the main ways in which steel is manipulated is by using CNC profile cutting machines. With these machines, you can program the design with precise specifications to achieve the desired results.
Using a machine instead of completing the task by hand ensures a steady, precise, and repetitive flow, which is essential for an accurate result – especially with commercial steel preparation.
There are a number of different CNC machines that can be used to cut steel – it all depends on the desired result, and of course, the machinery available.
Metal can come in all shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, so not all forms of metal can be cut using the same method. There are typically three main choices for steel profiling – laser, plasma, and oxy.
Profilers allow fabricators and manufacturers to use mechanized processing, saving precious time and resources that would otherwise be spent on hand processing. Without mechanized pipe profiling machines, getting the right cut is a long, labor-intensive process requiring highly trained, expensive welders. They have to handle the pipe, lay out a pattern on the steel per a drawing and then hand cut the tracing on the steel. Pipe profiling machines take care of this process so these skilled craftsmen can spend their time in fit-up and assembly, greatly increasing efficiency for fabricators and OEM’s.
The pipe profiler was originally designed to help fabricators who need a constantly changing mixture of parts. Many fabricators have their own machines, but their machines also have set schedules and limited capacity. At American Piping Products, we have invested in a pipe profiler so we can handle one-off sections for fabricators who don’t want to break their machine’s schedule or use hand processing.
We chose the Vernon Pipe Cutting Machine, model 0224MPM-5. It’s a top-end model that can cut a wide variety of pipe and make life a lot easier for pipe fabricators who use our services.
Here are some of its capabilities:
There are two broad types of torch cutting in the market, Plasma and Oxy. Both have their benefits and limitations. At American Piping Products, we chose Oxy because we cut a large range of wall thicknesses, and this torch can cut up to 4” thick material. That’s twice the thickness that Plasma technology can cut, but at a much slower speed than plasma. Since we serve a wide variety of customers and process unexpected, after-hours orders, we chose flexibility over speed.
Profiling machines that can cut with 5-axis capability can make complicated parts, e.g., when bevels are needed inside the openings cut into the pipe. We have a 5-axes machine that handles 2”– 30” pipe, allowing American Piping Products to meet the needs of OEM companies that require complicated assembly parts. The CNC programing of our profiler also gives us the ability to replicate these parts at a later date, as an OEM requires.
Our profiler works well with steel over .25” in thickness but does not do stainless or light wall parts normally processed by CNC lasers. Our machine handles tubular shapes, not plate or structural shapes. But we do offer extra services if they help our customers get the piping products they need. We offer blasting, heat treating, coating, galvanizing and drop shipping if that is what our customers need for their supply chain.
To learn more about our pipe cutting services, visit our services page or contact one of our piping products experts.
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