One of the things that make us the top ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands is we ensure all of our tubing is high quality. This means we achieve high standards at every stage of the step by step manufacturing process. We want to have a closer look at this today so you can see how the tubes are made. It will give you a better idea of why they are the best option for many projects.
Selecting coil
The starting point is to order the raw materials to turn into tubing. Many producers will choose steel coil because it is more convenient than ordering sheets. Most crucially, coils are easier to handle and ship. What you need to do is ensure you select an appropriate kind of steel. Think about the final application for the tubes, as well as the properties they need. Carbon steel can be a great choice if you need high strength.
Uncoiling
Starting off with coils of steel means the first real step is to uncoil and straighten them. This ensures you have sheets ready to cut into strips before making them into tubing. While it is an extra step, it does offer some benefits. Most importantly, it means you can ensure the steel strips are a consistent thickness and have a good surface finish. Additionally, you can ensure they will feed smoothly into machines.
Tube formation
Next the skelp (a flat strip of steel) will go into a rolling machine. Here, forming rolls will adapt it into a cylinder. It also ensures the edges are close together ready for the next stage.
Welding
One of the things that make us the leading ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands is our welding skill. We have exceptional equipment and a talented team. As a result, we can do high quality, high-frequency welding to fuse the edges of the steel together. It creates a strong, nearly seamless weld.
Bead removal
Pressure pushes the molten edges of the steel together during the welding process. It is important for creating a strong joint. However, it can also squeeze some material out. This leads to a weld bead. To improve the appearance and performance of the tubing, the next stage is to remove the bead carefully.
Sizing and shaping
Next, and maybe the most interesting stage, is the forming processes to achieve the final shape and size. Rolling machines can adapt the cylindrical tubing to create round, square, rectangular, and oval tubes in different sizes.
Finishing
There can then be several different steps to finish the tubing, depending on the requirements. Typically you will have cutting to ensure the tube is the relevant lengths. Then there can be end finishing, including things like beading, beveling, or threading. There can even be processes here like galvanisation and applying protective coatings.
Work with an ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands
Union Steel Tubes has a fantastic reputation, with happy clients in numerous industries. We’re an ISO 9001 company, so quality is pivotal to everything we do. We’ll deliver tubing with excellent properties, accurate dimensions, and a great finish.
So, if you want to order from the best ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands, feel free to speak to us. We’ll be happy to provide advice if you need it, including recommendations of steels for different needs.
