Large pipe tee

[Hitch]

Had some pipe fittings delivered today, quick look had me wondering how they are formed....

About 12" diameter, about 1/4" thick stainless.

Welded seam along the back, opposite the branch.

I'm guessing pressed out, then the sides formed round and then welded
Most be some press.

Anyone know?

 

[hotrodder]

Dunno but my guess would be hydroforming... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50H8dzGgb_4

 

[Hitch]

Ah yeah, never gave that a thought. That's the way.
Suppose the seam is there from the manufacturering of the straight sections.

Solved

 

[brightspark]

note the chinese operator and no guards on the machine

 

[madkayaker]

must have some power that machine!

 

[Tengtooltom]

That Die was not made with a hammer and half round file

 

[madkayaker]

so an apprnetice didn't serve his time filing it out?

 

[Big Pete]

some of them are forged from solid, (altho that one obviously isn't if it's got a weld seam), some are cast, some are made from tube by drilling a hole in the tube wall, then pulling a mandrel through the wall, which cold forms the branch. Some of the really big ones are fabricated from forged plates.