The welding process is one of the core ways in which we manufacture precision tubes. Our high quality tubing starts off as a flat strip of metal. The strip is formed into a tube through a series of rollers and the join, also called the seam, is then welded together.

 

Special non-destructive testing methods – including eddy current, ultrasonic and pressure testing - are used to ensure a consistent weld. Just like with seamless manufacturing, welded tubes can be drawn down by plug drawing or sinking. This method can be used to create very long lengths of coiled tube.

 

The main welded tube manufacturing processes used are strip welding and cold drawing, but other important processes in between, or at the end of the drawing process, include:

 

Degreasing/cleaning 

Annealing 

Straightening 

Cutting and deburring 

NDT testing 

Printing 

Packaging 

Shipment

 

Extra optional processes include:

 

Polishing 

Electropolishing