“The technology is unlike anything we have seen from other suppliers. T-DRILL has the most advanced pipe joining methods we have ever encountered.”
– Arto Koljonen, CEO, SP Stainless
When customers are looking to increase their production volumes, improve their product quality and cut costs at the same time, they choose T-DRILL. This article introduces the 10 facts that make T-DRILL collaring one of the most advanced pipe joining methods in the world.
The T-DRILL collaring method, developed in the 70s, was designed to improve the efficiency of pipe joining. The method forms outlets for branch connections directly from the run material. After the tube wall is penetrated, the collaring head withdraws from the main run pipe and forms a collar. The joint can then be either brazed or welded. The process from hole cutting to collar trimming is carried out in a single workstation in one set-up from outside the pipe, with no access into the pipe needed from the end of the pipe. The T-DRILL method also requires 66 % less welding than traditional pipe joining methods as well as less pipe cutting. The result is drastically reduced amount of labor and therefore, increased production volumes.
As the T-DRILL method forms the collar directly from the run material, no T-pieces are needed in the process. In addition to being costly and requiring more storage, the use of T-pieces also means more pipe cutting and more welded joints, which, in turn, mean more time consumption. The use of T-pieces requires 3 welded joints, whereas with the T-DRILL method, only 1 welded joint is needed.
With the traditional pipe joining method, companies are compelled to maintain a costly inventory of related materials, such as expensive T-fittings and various other pipe pieces. With the T-DRILL collaring method, only 2 simple pieces of pipe are needed.
While the traditional pipe joining method with T-pieces requires 3 welded joints, the T-DRILL method only requires 1. Less welding means less time consumption, less work, a smaller carbon footprint, and a more reliable product.
T-DRILL collaring machines enable the forming of pipes of various diameters. The collaring tools that form the collar directly from the run pipe can be adjusted to form a collar of the desired size. For example, with the TEC-220 collaring machine, the branch tube’s outside diameter can range from 17 mm (3/8 inches) up to 219,1 mm (8 inches). The traditional method would require having a costly inventory of multiple types of T-fittings, with not all sizes even being available. The T-DRILL method therefore offers much more flexibility in tee ratio variation.
The T-DRILL collaring method enables remarkably faster throughput times. The method is considerably faster than traditional methods – the time needed for forming an outlet using the T-DRILL method varies from seconds to minutes. Combined with T-DRILL flanging, the T-DRILL collaring method can be up to 6 times faster than the traditional method with welded fittings.
Since the T-DRILL collaring method only requires one welded joint, the costs of joint inspections and the time it takes to perform them are brought down to a minimum. The traditional joining method requires 3 welded joints, which means that with the T-DRILL method, the costs and the time consumption are only 1/3 in comparison. Welded joints are also prone to leaking – less welded joints means less chance of leakage and therefore, less call-backs and a higher-quality product.
With the T-DRILL collaring method, welding is not only brought down to a minimum, but it is also made easier. In the T-DRILL method, the collar is formed from the run pipe and trimmed to the desired height. A straight collar makes butt welding easier and faster – without a collar, the branch pipe must first be formed to fit the run pipe and then welded in a more time-consuming manner. The straight T-DRILL collar is also high enough for orbital welding.
The T-DRILL method ensures optimal flow characteristics in the formed branch. Since the collar is formed on the outside of the pipe, there is no material left inside that could disturb the flow. Good flow characteristics and cleanliness are especially important in the fields of food processing, pharmaceuticals and stainless steel piping systems.
T-DRILL Collaring unit HFT-2000 SS
The T-DRILL method can be used to branch all malleable materials, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and copper-nickel.
SP Stainless visiting T-DRILL
Want to learn more?
Read more about our collaring technology and our collaring machines!
COMPARISON: Welded Fittings vs T-DRILL Collaring & Flanging
CUT COSTS, IMPROVE EFFICIENCY, AND SAVE A MILLION PER YEAR WITH T-DRILL METHOD.
Use the calculator to see how much you can save with T-DRILL method.
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