Pipe expansion machine makes better joints

A high performance pipe expansion machine can achieve professional joints within seconds on a wide range of pipe diameters and without the need for specialised operators.

The practice within the building industry and construction industry of fabricating drain, chimney and ventilation pipe joints on site is both time consuming and expensive.

Traditionally short collars are cut from metal pipes, then welded to pipe lengths of smaller diameter to create the necessary socket joints for the long continuous runs often required on larger buildings or industrial premises.

This practice, however, may require specialised tradesmen and equipment for cutting and welding, particularly for aluminium pipework.

A high performance pipe expansion machine, called the W6 from Eckold , can achieve professional joints within seconds on a wide range of pipe diameters and without the need for specialised operators.

Pipe material thicknesses from 0.4 to 2.0mm, and diameters from 66 to 1200mm can be handled, with expanded socket lengths created in lengths from 10 to 100mm, on one or both ends of a pipe length.

A hydraulic pump is used, in conjunction with six-fold split tools to create the expansion section of tube.

The tools comprise hard plastic jaws, which minimises the weight particularly for large pipe diameter operations, with release springs also incorporated in the tools for sizes of 300mm diameter and over.

The machine can also be set for single or repeat operation cycles, with a wear-resistant sensor provided for setting the expansion stroke which eliminates the need for test run expansions.

The unit is trolley mounted and the expansion head can be tilted in excess of 90º from horizontal to past the vertical, with an additional height adjustment of 285mm.

These features ensure easy handling of long pipe lengths, which can be up to six metres, even when operating in confined areas.

Although designed for building site work, this economical and versatile W6 machine could potentially have applications within a wide range of general engineering situations.

Additional machines, with well established industrial engineering pedigrees, are also available in the Eckold Kraftformer range.

This includes two mobile units which have proved to be particularly useful to the building trade for on-site modifications to metal cladding materials.

Operations include shrinking, stretching, doming and planishing as well as general shaping, flattening and straightening.

A wide range of forming tools are available, suitable for operation with both mild and stainless steels as well as aluminium, including coated sheets.

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