Page 65 - Energize May 2022

TECHNICAL

allows the exact shape to be achieved.
Steinmuller employs a Cojafex PB850
induction bending machine, which can
handle pipes with diameters of between
150 and 850 mm and wall thicknesses
of between 5 and 100 mm in the main
arm, and pipes of diameter 40 to 426
mm and wall thicknesses of 5 to 40mm
in the auxiliary arm.
Induction bending involves heating
a short section of the pipe to a high
temperature using an induction coil
and applying a small bend angle to this
section. The pipe moves continuously
through the induction coil and the bend
angle is increased as the pipe moves
forward. The heated section of the
pipe is water cooled immediately after
Figure 2: Induction bending machine ((Steinmüller) being bent. The bender is also capable
of doing three-dimensional bends on a
from scratch, making use of explosive complete system. Complex pipe shapes single pipe.
technology, and remains the only can be constructed by joining straight Although the company primarily
company in South Africa qualified and pipe and preformed bends of set bend- serves the coal-fired power and
approved to perform explosive welding angle and radius, but this requires industrial sectors, it is capable of
for the power generation sector. numerous welds and the preformed handling product for the nuclear power
bends do not always allow the exact industry as well.
Induction pipe bending machine shape required to be formed.
Power station piping includes large- A better alternative is to bend the Contact Steinmüller Africa,
diameter thick-wall pipes which need pipe into the shape required, which Phone 010040-7448,
to have specific shapes to fit into the reduces the number of joints and https://steinmuller.icedev.co.za

Figure 3: Diagram showing how the bend is
formed (Steinmüller) Figure 4: Example of a pipe bent by induction bending (Steinmüller)

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