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Stainless steel fabrication refers to the shaping and bending techniques of stainless sheet metal processing. Stainless steel can be given all different types of sections and complex hollow shapes. The equipment which is used for these processes can range from sophisticated power tools to simple hand held tools.

When starting out on a stainless fabrication job, it generally begins with a preliminary action such as perforating, slitting or cutting, with tools that perform some type of shearing action. These may be power operated machines such as bench shears for heavy gauge material, or simple hand held scissor like cutting tools for thin lightweight stainless steel materials.

There are different types of power driven shearing machines, and these machines will comprise of a moveable blade and a fixed blade.

Punching is another process carried out by the use of a punching machine and it is used to punch or pierce a hole in the metal workpiece.

Shaping is a sheet metal process, and a wide range of shaping operations known as bending or folding are done on presses. Other operations carried out on presses can include;

o Crimping and beading

o Grooving and seaming

o Stamping

Most of these processes are used to stiffen and shape the stainless steel pipe sheet, and these machines may also be used for creating tubular and circular shapes and other numerous purposes. Sections and angles may be formed by folding or bending.

Coiling is another process used to produce a coiled edge on a sheet metal component. Coiling helps to provide a suitable edge and increase the strength of the article. Cylindrical and other circular or curved shapes such as tubes are produced on a roll-forming machine.

There are many different techniques used in the fabrication of stainless steel and other sheet metal processes, and some of these are:

o Embossing

o Cupping

o Deep Drawing

o Marforming

o Spinning

o Flow forming

o Milling & Turning

Most of these techniques and processes are now produced with the aid of computer controlled machinery due to the rapid advance in todays technology. Most of the above processes can be easily carried out on many different types of metal such as mild Stainless steel and aluminium etc.

Tags: seamless pipe, Stainless steel, Stainless steel pipe

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For those involved in product development, engineering, and other form-giving applications, Rapid prototype(RP) technology can offer an excellent deliverable for various applications. Prototyping can be used for concept generation, ergonomic testing, test fitting, functional testing and even small-batch production.

There are various rapid prototyping technologies available for use including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (STL), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and 3D Printing. Each of these technologies has advantages and disadvantages.

Fused Deposition Modeling technology is marketed commercially by Stratasys, which also holds a trademark on the term. Like most other RP processes FDM works on an "additive" principle by laying down material in layers. A plastic filament or metal wire is unwound from a coil and supplies material to an extrusion nozzle which can turn on and off the flow. The nozzle is heated to melt the material and can be moved in both horizontal and vertical directions by a numerically controlled mechanism, directly controlled by a computer-aided design software package. In a similar manner to stereolithography, the model is built up from layers as the material hardens immediately after extrusion from the nozzle.

Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process utilizing a vat of liquid UV-curable photopolymer "resin" and a UV laser to build parts a layer at a time. On each layer, the laser beam traces a part cross-section pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. Exposure to the UV laser light cures, or, solidifies the pattern traced on the resin and adheres it to the layer below.

Selective laser sintering is an additive rapid manufacturing technique that uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass powders into a mass representing a desired 3D object. The laser selectively fuses powdered material by scanning cross-sections generated from a 3D digital description of the part on the surface of a powder bed. After each cross-section is scanned, the powder bed is lowered by one layer thickness, a new layer of material is applied on top, and the process is repeated until the part is completed.

3D printing is a unique form of Rapid prototype creation that is rooted in traditional rapid printing technology. A three dimensional object is created by layering and connecting successive cross sections of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive fabrication technologies. While prototyping dominates current uses, 3D printing offers tremendous potential for retail consumer uses, especially because the cost of production is less than other methods, and the part build time is minimal. In the latest incarnations, 3D color printing is also available. This means that a part can be printed to represent the colors of the finished product, to show label concepts or requirements, or to indicate the results of stress analysis or other failure mode effects (FME) analysis.

For the most part, all rapid prototype systems require a 3D computer model to start the process. In most cases a significant amount of file preparation must be undertaken to get a file to generate a correct rapid prototype model.

As part of the innovation process, some companies may employ one or several rapid prototyping technologies in-house. However, being a new "cutting-edge" technology, many firms can make use of service bureaus to provide their rapid prototyping as the need becomes evident. Most service bureaus have detailed websites to market and serve their customers.

A handful of service bureaus are fairly large companies with numerous employees and locations. Many provide related services and technologies, such as tooling, industrial design, molding and production. However, service bureaus are typically small companies, and while they may be small, many of them are vertically integrated and can provide services from concept models to finished functional parts.

Service bureaus tend to specialize in one or more areas such injection molding, casting, etc. Examine a company’s portfolio or case histories on their web pages, or discuss previous projects with the company to try to better understand areas of particular expertise. Sculptors have also used the technology to produce complex shapes for fine arts exhibitions.

In the near future, rapid prototype technology will become more widespread and pervade even to the home. For now though, for timely and expert delivery, the use of a service bureau is the best way for most innovative companies, individuals and organizations.

Tags: Plastic mold, Plastic mould, Rapid prototype

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One of the most commonly Stainless steel remodeled and refurnished rooms in most homes these days is undoubtedly the kitchen. This is because it’s a great way to increase the amount of the productivity and space that one may need to, or desire to, achieve while adding a very modern and stylishly sleek look to the house.

It is definitely a room that is meant to remain unique to the rest of the house. For this reason, as well as many others, a increasingly popular look is that of stainless steel. While this rings true for most kitchen appliances, it is especially true of the refrigerator.

Stainless appliances are taking over more and more kitchens everyday. However, while many individuals are investing in a variety of stainless products that include the oven, microwave, or dishwasher, there is no question that the monstrous refrigerator is the most common and immediate investment to be turned stainless by many.

The fact that they are so massive and have the potential to be such an eyesore plays a rather large role in the growth in popularity of stainless steel pipe. It’s the first thing that anyone will see walking into a kitchen, making it the most important appliance to have looking sleek and stylish.

Part of what makes these refrigerators so popular is the clean look that they provide. After all it’s all in the name: stainless steel. They make for a very elegant and clean look that is remarkably easy to maintain, which in turn makes keeping the kitchen tidy a much easier task. With a kitchen that is armed with one of these appliances, an individual will never have to worry about fingerprints, smudges, or even smears again.

Let’s be honest, when it comes down to it, a kitchen appliance needs more than style. While having an inviting and well furnished kitchen is something to be proud of, without practicality it’s all for nothing. Many of these fridges have great features to go along with the elegant style.

For example they may have a plethora of interior and exterior features including, temperature adjustment for the fridge as well as deli drawers, humidity adjustment for drawers, a freezer and ice and water machine, and even child locks.

There’s no doubt that these refrigerators are quickly becoming the staple for the modern kitchen. For low prices on high quality seamless pipe, try shopping at your local appliance store.

Tags: seamless pipe, Stainless steel, Stainless steel pipe

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Plastic is one of the most used materials in the manufacturing of toys, tools, and other consumer goods. It’s very name, ‘Plastic mold‘, from the Greek ‘plastos’ refers to ‘molded’. It is clear that the material plastic’s real value lies in the ways in which it is used and molded. Plastic is extremely malleable, and allows or it to be pressed, extruded, cast, or molded into many different shapes and forms.

Plastics are used in a wide range of products, from every day office products such as pens, clips, and printers, to high-end uses such as TV’s, stadiums, and space shuttles. Before plastic’s wide adoption across many different industries, other materials such as wood, stone, glass, ceramic, and leather were the standard products used. Now, to find products made of leather and stone indicates a certain quality and ‘rareness’ because most of our ‘stuff’ is plastic. Plastic has displaces all of these traditional materials and is now the dominant material in all of manufacturing.

The drawbacks to using plastic stem from its chemical makeup. The compounds comprising plastic limit its ability to withstand heat and makes it vulnerable to hard impacts and weight. Plastics are limited in how dense and hard they can be made to be which causes many of these weaknesses. Additionally, plastics are not highly conductive of electricity, and so they are limited in use around electronic components. Additionally, the price of plastic mould and work limits its use as a building material (aside from PVC) in construction projects because it is still to expensive when compared to working with concrete and lumber.

Polyvinyl Choloride is an extremely useful plastic. Commonly referred to as PVC, it is used heavily in plumbing but also has many practical uses such as framing out large shapes and many other uses where tubing is involved. It other forms, PVC can be used in rain gear, packaging of food, shrink wrap, home siding, computer enclosures, and many other places in which most people don’t expect.

Plastic has truly revolutionized how the world operates. We now can have many tools and utensils because they can be developed and manufactured very cheaply with plastic. If plastic were not around, many of our standard household items would have to be made out of more expensive materials, thus limiting the ability for most people to obtain them. Plastic is cheap, extremely malleable, and very stable, and thus has many different uses which people all over the world have researched and continue to research to push the possibilities of plastic.

For research, data, and information on Plastic Mold visit Michael’s Rapid prototype Site.

Tags: Plastic mold, Plastic mould, Rapid prototype

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Bearings play an essential role in food processing from bakeries to seafood canneries to bottling plants. Like any component in a high-speed, high-volume production line, their unexpected failure or unscheduled maintenance can be devastating. To reduce the risks and avoid painful consequences, engineers must observe housing and insert materials as well as the type of Stainless steel pipe bearing itself. What follows is a review of these important factors and practical advice for times when bearings are in contact with food.

In the house

When specifying bearings, designers must often choose housing and insert materials. Common housings include thermoplastic composites, nickel-plated cast iron, stainless steel, and polymers. In most cases, the application environment — daily exposure to high-pressure washdowns, humidity, caustics, and antibacterial solutions — dictates which housing material to use.

Sometimes, for example, acids, cooking fats, and other chemicals used in food and beverage processing may come into contact with the bearings. This can be avoided by employing composite or thermoplastic-housed units. Another option is cast stainless steel (usually made of AISI 300), which withstands strong chlorine and hydrogen peroxide concentrations.

Other materials such as high-strength, cast iron work best for red meat, pork, and poultry processing. Nickel-plated, cast-iron housings, on the other hand, are easier to clean and rid of debris and bacteria because of their smooth surface finish and solid-base mountings. The most common plating — CNC (copper, nickel, chrome) — durably resists corrosion and appears bright and shiny. Proper CNC sanitation prevents E. coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus aureus growth. Many of today’s bearing housings also contain antimicrobial coatings to further thwart bacterial and fungal growth.

In addition, polymer housing offers excellent corrosion resistance, a chip-free exterior (as opposed to plated housings), and economical prices compared to stainless steel. But unlike stainless steel, polymer materials do not provide equal load strength.

Insert here

Bearing inserts are made variously from stainless steel, thin dense chrome (TDC), and zinc. Stainless-steel inserts — although expensive — are regularly found in the food industry as they offer high-corrosion resistance. Generally, their outer and inner rings and balls consist of AISI 440C stainless steel. TDC coatings offer an alternative to this as they resist corrosion up to 15 times more than normal 52100 bearing-quality steel and provide greater surface hardness.

Zinc-coated inserts also guard against corrosion, come in most sizes, and cost less than stainless steel and TDC. However, plane bearings are needed during severe operating conditions where rolling-element inserts are not allowed. They usually install into any mounted housing that accepts rolling-element bearings. In addition, polymer and seamless pipe combinations comply with requirements for a bushing-type design.

Lube stop

Normally, an FDA/USDA-approved grease (classified as H1 for incidental food contact) lubricates food-grade bearings. H1 lubricants are odor-free, tasteless, washout resistant, and harm-free to food. Whenever possible, bearings should be relubricated to replenish the old grease supply and purge contamination.

When relubrication is not possible, however, polymer-solid lubricants can be employed. During bearing operation, they release a small amount of oil to coat rolling elements and raceways, resist washout, and reach hard-to-maintain areas. On the downside, they handle speed and environmental limitations poorly.

Daily specials

Over the last 10 years, many special bearings (both mounted and unmounted) were created to improve food processing. Concerns influencing these designs include:

Wet environments — due to water and equipment washdown

Harsh chemicals — sanitation and cleaning requirements

Excessive heat — baking and frying

Excessive cold — freezer applications

In any of these environments, bearings must be shielded from corrosion. This is achieved through corrosion-resistant platings, coatings on metal surfaces, or materials that inherently offer corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel or polymers. Stainless steel offers the best corrosion resistance in the aforementioned environments and is therefore preferred in meat-processing plants for equipment and bearings.

Plated bearings, on the other hand, best suit wet areas with limited chemical washdown. Their lubricants must be USDA-approved food grade (H1 or H2) only. Many high-end, food-grade greases lubricate as effectively as conventional petroleum greases and contain additional qualities such as low-temperature operation and washout resistance.

Basic styles

Mounted bearings typically come in three basic housing-material combinations: plated or coated cast iron; polymers or composites; and stamped, cast, or machined stainless steel. Insert bearings are available in several corrosion-resistant platings or coatings: Zinc chromates, TDC, and black-oxide coatings are most prevalent.

Unmounted bearings are made of stainless steel and other highly corrosion-resistant materials such as high nitrogen corrosion-resistant steel (HNCR). HNCR resists corrosion better than any stainless steel while maintaining a material hardness similar to average bearing steel. HNCR materials therefore eliminate the capacity reduction inherent in stainless-steel bearings.

High-temperature bearings generally incorporate a graphite separator that lubricates bearings at temperatures above 600° F — something conventional lubricants such as grease and oil cannot do effectively. These mounted bearings increase life and lower maintenance costs in difficult baking, frying, and drying applications.

Plane bearings consist of a bushing-type design where two surfaces mate to each other without a ball or roller. They are available in several housing styles and bearing-material combinations for lubricant-free operation (sometimes required for sanitation) and easy cleaning. Unlike conventional ball bearings, they can be completely disassembled, cleaned, and reinstalled for safe use in and above the product zone — where conventional rolling-element bearings are unapproved. However, this style limits both speed and load compared to conventional ball bearings. Plane bearings are made of stainless steel or polymers for various operating requirements and temperature ranges.

Other options

Seals are one of the more common options used with bearings. They are intended to keep lubricants in and contaminants out and are an important consideration in food-processing applications. They vary from conventional single-lip rubber types to double-lip designs and are often coupled with metal fingers fitted outboard for added protection. For high-temperature applications, various silicone materials are available and advised.

End closures added to housed units further protect the inserts, prolong bearing life, and act as safety measures against rotating parts. There are open-type units, which allow shafts to extend through and closed types for stub shafts. Most often, covers are made from either stainless steel or composites.

Other options for a complete food-grade bearing assembly include stainless steel or nylon cages, Stainless steel setscrews, stainless steel or corrosion-resistant coated fingers, corrosion-resistant collars, and Stainless steel grease fittings. Survivability is key for the bearing, as well as the load.

Tags: seamless pipe, Stainless steel, Stainless steel pipe

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Ever wondered how plastic is moulded into the exceptionally useful things that we employ in our daily life? Is it as simple as melting plastic and lathering the sides of a mould with it and cooling it, much like chocolate? The answer, actually, is no. Moulding plastic is a little more complex than that. Plastic mold is made using a process often called plastic injection moulding.

What is this type of moulding

Plastic injection moulding is the method of manufacturing parts made of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic by melting and forcing into moulds where they cool to form the desired object.

How does plastic injection moulding work?

The process of plastic injection moulding usually begins with an industrial designer or engineer who designs a product. This is followed up by the work of a toolmaker or mould maker who makes the mould to fit the design created. These moulds are metallic and usually made using either steel or aluminum. Using machines, they are made to acquire the exact shape desired by the design. Once this is done, the process of actually making the plastic follows. This involves thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic being fed into a heated barrel and mixed. This melted material is then forced into the cavity of a mould and there it cools and hardens to form the desired part.

Some characteristics of the process:

1. I uses melted and mixed thermoplastic or thermoset plastic as the base

2. It uses a plunger which acts like a screw or a ram to force the melted material in the Plastic mould

3. It makes a shape that is open-ended and has taken the shape of the cavity of the mould

4. It shows a parting line and gate marks on the finished products and the ejector pin marks can also usually be made out

Some history

Alexander Parkes invented plastic in 1851 in Britain. This was worked on and bettered by John Hyatt, an American inventor in 1868. He also patented, in 1872, the first injection moulding machine. In the 1940s, the need for mass production of plastic products increased and saw the invention of the first screw injection machine by inventor James Hendry of America. This increased not only the speed of production but also the amount of precise control that could be exercised on the finish of the product.

Since then, this type of moulding has been used widely in the production of everything right from milk cartons to entire car panels and automotive parts. Since it is not a very costly material, it is best suited for mass produced goods.

Advantages of this type of moulding:

1. The rate of production are very high and therefore mass production is much benefitted

2. Since tolerance levels are high, they can be repeated

3. The labour cost is very low

4. The losses in scrap are very minimal

5. The products require very minimal finishing

6. A wide range of materials can be used

Disadvantages using this type of moulding:

1. Although labor expense and scrap loses are minimal, the cost of equipment and therefore investment is high

2. The running costs have the potential to be high

3. There is also need to design the correct parts

With the development of the market, the diversification of molding methods and new plastic materials would be developed in the future. In order to meet the needs of the market, whether plastic mold species, structure,Rapid prototype,performance or processing are bound to faster development. What’s more such a development must keep pace with the times.

Tags: Plastic mold, Plastic mould, Rapid prototype

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Moving massive structures, in the hundreds or thousands of tons range, special flange methods need to be employed. Specially designed and built hydraulic systems are capable of achieving some amazing results using three techniques, each suitable for different applications. Which to use, depends on a number of factors, but is best illustrated by examining some applications and how those problems were solved.

When offshore drilling rig jackets are built, they’re often built on their sides and then dragged onto a barge for transport out to sea where they are positioned, shoved off the barge to float, then gradually flooded as they’re tugged into position to settle on their pre-cast sub sea bases. Skidding a huge structure up to 25,000 tons to load it on a barge required the use of re-positionable hydraulic jacks. Most often the structure is just dragged along a row of wide flange steel I-beams.

The hydraulic jacks are positioned by either a latching mechanism engaging a hole in the beam of a gripper mechanism that uses hydraulic pressure to clamp on the beam flanges. One or more jacks can then exert their massive push forces on the structure to move it ahead some distance, usually on the order of 4 feet (1 meter.) Once the jacks are fully extended, the gripper disengages or the advancing load relaxed in the case of a latch, so that the jack can then retract and draw the gripper or latch ahead to re-position itself for another push. This inchworm sequence: clamp, push, unclamp, advance is repeated until the structure is moved the desired distance.

The same method, using wide flanged beams as skidding surface, is used to move drill towers about on offshore drilling rigs. In shipyards where ships are built in sections, this method can be used to marry sections together, accurately positioning them to be welded together.

An interesting variation on this technique is used on structures that require many movements, such as the Denver Mile High Stadium east stands. A 16 story tall, 5000 ton section was moved back and forth 165 feet to reposition the section to account for the different sizes and shapes of baseball and football fields. In this case the grippers and jacks were permanently attached to mounts in the ground,, while the wide flange jacking beams were attached to the moving structure. The entire structure was floated on water bearings to reduce the friction and allow it to be moved with minimal effort. This was so successful that a restriction on wind speed had to be imposed to prevent the structure from blowing away when floated on the film of water.

Another technique for moving massive loads has been applied in shipyards to move up to 12,000 ton ships about in the yard. A wheeled train with hydraulic jacks is rolled under the blocked up ship, and the ship lifted using the on-board jacks. A hydraulic gripper and jack system can them be used on the rails to inch-worm the ship along the rail tracks. Instead of gripping on a wide flanged beam, the hydraulic clamp actually grips on a standard train rail, so that off-the-shelf commercially produced rail and track can be employed.

When contemplating moving massive structures, it is prudent to think through the moving method before the civil engineering is done so that accommodations can be made to design the site to best accommodate the function. A number of innovative hydraulic solutions are possible, when faced with this daunting task.

Jeff Spira is a mechanical engineering consultant and runs Spira Engineering specializing not only in design and engineering, but also in tooling, design, process design and quality system consulting. He has been acted as project engineer for a number of hydraulic systems used to move massive structures.

Tags: Flange, Flanges, Stainless Flange

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Compresses are used for a variety of purposes from powering pneumatic or power tools (like nailers, and staplers) blowing dust and debris off/out of those power tools, or as an inflation device for tires, flotation devices, and etc. Available in a variety of sizes and capacities, air compressors are versatile and surprisingly long-lasting; a good model could certainly last a lifetime if properly cared for. Using compressor powered pneumatic tools offers a number of benefits; pneumatically powered tools tend to be more brawny than those powered with strictly electricity, they offer greater torque and higher RPM for quick work and rapid firing. Pneumatic tools also offer an environmentally friendly alternative to toxic battery waste.

There are two types of air compressor, gas or electric, but each of these types is available with a few variations. Some compressors are small and portable, others are very large and stationary – the amount of power your compressor has generally coincides with its size. These large, stationary compressors are best suited for industrial applications and can be used by more that one person simultaneously. Compressors also vary from single stage to two stages; a two stage motor has the ability to change speeds during more constant and rigorous actions – essentially a two stage motor works harder when you need it to. Lastly, some compressors require oil lubrication while others run entirely without oil. Oil lubricated compressors tend to run more quietly; they do, however, require oil changes, operation on a flat, level surface, and may release an oil mist into the air which is highly ill-suited for applications like painting. Although many craftsmen prefer to use oil-lubed compressors because they tend to last longer and run quieter (as with any other type) they may not be practical for some applications.

Gas powered compressors are optimal on jobsites or construction zones that have not yet been outfitted with electrical power. These compressors provide the power and speed of pneumatic tools without the need for power cords or electricity. Gas compressors must, however, be used in open and well ventilated areas. Electric compressors are generally the best choice for home and shop use. They tend to run more quietly and don’t stink up the joint, if you will, with a gas motor.

Keeping your air compressor well maintained will truly determine how long your compressor will keep on kicking. There are a few simple steps to ensuring your compressor remains in optimal condition, and you certainly won’t regret the time you spend caring for your tool. The compression that occurs in the air tanks of your compressor causes moisture to accumulate inside those tanks. That moisture, in turn, runs the risk of rusting out the tanks, and potentially destroying a paint mixture (if used with a paint sprayer). On the bottom of the compressor there is a moisture release valve; it is crucial to release this valve with every use, this should prevent rust or other water damage. An in-line filter can also be be purchased for any compressor to eliminate water mist in your air lines.

Its important to inspect your compressors; periodically check and tighten any fasteners, make sure your air filters are running clean and replace them when necessary, check your hoses often for breaks, cracks, or leaks and be prepared to replace them when needed as well. Its also important to be certain that the compressors safety valve is functional. The safety valve (either automatically or manually) releases air should the compressor become over-pressurized; a vital feature, so be sure its operational or have it repaired. If you have an oil-lubed compressor, check the oil levels before each use to make sure the tool is properly lubricated. Change the oil as the manufacturer recommends. As far as cleanliness is concerned, its always beneficial to keep all your tools clean as a whistle and especially important to keep the compressor’s intake vents clean and clear. If you have a gas compressor you may also consider periodically cleaning the fuel tank for good measure.

A good compressor is a superior tool, and can truly take the edge off a jobsite or home-repair project. With unmatched speed and power a compressor and their partnering pneumatic tools will change the way you build. Love your compressor, purchase the model that best suits you, keep it well-maintained, and your compressor will work as hard as you do.

Tags: pneumatic, Pneumatic Components, pneumatic tool

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You still aren’t over the shock of the esitimate your chimney sweep left you for what he says is needed to use your chimney safely. He told you that you need to install a stainless steel chimney liner in your existing masonry chimney. You have no idea what a stainless steel chimney liner is. Most of all you have no idea why the sweep wants so much money to do the job.

Chimney Liner Metal Alloys

You found your way to this site, so you must be interested in doing the job yourself. So lets discuss some options you have and the types of stainless steel chimney liner that are out there.

First thing you should be aware of is that most manufacturers won’t honor a warranty for a stainless steell chimney pipe installation if a non professional does the work. However, Royal Chimney Supply, the manufacturer of Flex King chimney liners will honor the warranty if you do the job yourself.

You can choose to use either a rigid stainless steel chimney liner or flexible pipe. Flexible pipe should be used if your chimney is less than perfectly straight with no joggs or offsets. If you have a nice straight chimney you most definately should use rigid chimney pipe.

Compare Chimney Liner Brands

Rigid stainless steel chimney liner is the best product available to line a chimney. It’s thick, and cleans the best. It’s the most durable and will never rip if you clean it agressively. Light flexible chimney liners need to be cleaned with a type of plastic chimney brush because they are so thin.

There are different types of thicker more durable flexible liners available. Flex King Pro is a double wall, smooth interior liner. It cleans much better than standard Flex King liners and is more durable.

Heavy Flexible liners are very thick and durable. The only problem with them is that they are very heavy. A homeowner may have some trouble when installing a heavy flex stainless steel chimney liner.

More info about Stainless Steel Chimney Liner

If you are going to purchase a light flex stainless steel chimney liner you should buy one that is made from 316TI stainless steel. A lot of lesser quality liners are made from 316L. The TI stands for titanium. The addition of titanium gives the liner the ability to withstand less than perfect chimney conditions

Should I insulate my liner?

You should definately insulate your liner if you have the room. Why? With a wood or coal stove you will lose a lot of heat up the chimney. When hot flue temperatures meet with cold temperatures it will create condensation. When flue gases meet with condensation the result is creosote. By reducing the formation of creosote you will lengthen the life of your chimney liner. Keeping your chimney liner warm will also keep the draft consistent and will improve the performance of your stove.

What is a Rigid Chimney Liner?

Most rigid chimney liner sections are made of nonmagnetic, series 304 or series 316 seamless pipe. Unlike the flexible stainless steel liner, rigid pipe comes in sections and is usually round in shape and one to four feet long and five to ten inches or more in diameter. The most common wall thickness is 24-guage (0.024 in.) or 22-guage (0.029 in.) stainless steel.

The seam running down the length of each liner sections is factory sealed. Individual liner sections are joined together with the crimped, male end facing down. Stainless steel pop rivets and stainless steel screws secure the joints.

Pop rivets are recommended by most manufacturers since screws may work themselves loose from the expansion and contraction of the liner. Usually rigid relining jobs are supported at the bottom of the chimney or at the thimble area.

Stainless steel tee sections are used at the thimble and clean out areas. Rigid stainless steel liners can expand several inches during heating. To accommodate for this expansion the liner moves up and down in a sleeve at the top of the chimney.

A storm collar over the sleeve prevents moisture from entering the chimney along the outside of the liner. The area around the sleeve at the top of the chimney is sealed with either a stainless steel plate or a concrete pad.

The opposite of rigid chimney liner, flexible chimney liner

The use of rain caps are recommended for use on chimneys with stainless steel liners. It can be very important to have the most efficient venting possible.

A smooth walled rigid liner offers the most efficient venting due to the decreased turbulence. You can shape it to take full advantage of every cubic inch and offer maximum draft. It can be shaped into rectangular, square or oval.

Stainless steel resists corrosion, maintains it’s strength at high temperatures and is easily maintained. For these reasons, it is used widely in items such as automotives, home and food processing products, as well as medical and health equipment. The most common types are: 304; 316; 316Ti; 316L; 29-4C.

316TI Stainless Steel

316TI is a stainless steel alloy with a small amount of titanium added. It’s make-up allows it to resist acids and the stresses of hot and cold cycles. It can be used with solid fuels (wood, coal and pellet), gas and oil. It can withstand temperatures up to 2100 degrees.

316L Stainless Steel

316L chimney liner metal is commonly found in some thicker flexible chimney liners as well as in rigid chimney liners. The titanium is left out because of the added thickness of liners made from 316L stainless steel. 316L stainless steel is acceptable for use with coal, wood, gas or oil systems.

304L Stainless Steel

304L is best for chimneys venting a wood burning appliance. This alloy is commonly found in rigid chimney liner.

The most commonly specified austenitic (chromium-nickel-stainless class), it accounts for more than half of the stainless steel produced in the world. This grade withstands ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments and resists most chemicals.

Al 29-4C Stainless Steel

This chimney liner metal alloy is used most often when relining a masonry chimney or clay lined chimney that will vent a modern high efficiency gas or oil furnace.

It is an alloy of stainless steel pipe that is highly resistant to corrosion. It is used for relining flues where flue gases may contain highly corrosive elements. Being that most of the heat generated by such a high efficiency appliance goes into the home, the flue gas temperatures tend to be relatively low.

Low flue gas temperature keeps moisture in the flue gases from evaporating and being eliminated up the flue. The combination of moisture in the flue gas along with other chemicals that may be inducted into the flue from the surrounding environment, such as those from chemical cleaners and laundry supplies, can contribute to a very corrosive flue gas composition.AL29-4C is made to resist such corrosive environments over a long period of time.

Tags: seamless pipe, Stainless steel, Stainless steel pipe

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Several DIY Rapid Prototype techniques have come up off late. Making a 3D printer at home can prove to be quite cost-effective. The other names for such sort of prototyping are fabbing, three-dimensional printing, reprapping, and fabrication. RepRap is one such 3D printer. Let its making be studied in detail.

RepRap: RepRap is the abbreviation for Replicating Rapid-prototype. In other words, it can be said to be a Practical Self-copying Printer. RepRap would make metal, ceramic, and plastic parts. It’s itself made up of plastic. This is done in order to facilitate the making of multiple copies of its own self. The final product can be described as a 3-axis robot moving numerous material extruders. Fine filaments are produced by these extruders. The filaments are made up of their own working materials. This process has a paste-like consistency.

If one intends making plastic cones, RepRap would make use of the plastic extruder for laying down a 0.5 mm quickly hardening filament made from molten plastic for drawing the filled-in disc. The Plastic Intrusion Head would then be raised and the layer following that would be drawn, exactly on the top of 1st. This process keeps on repeating till the complete cone is formed. If making an Inverted Cone is on the agenda, the same procedure is followed. The only difference would be laying down the support material beneath the parts that are overhanging. The removal of support would take place after the completion of cone. Intermixture of conductors with Plastic mold is allowed. This can help in the formation of circuits.

The process described above is known as Fused Deposition Modeling. These machines, though useful, are not very much prevalent. The software of the above process is believed to work on all the computer platforms, that too, free of cost.

Fabr: The Fabr makes use of parts which are commonly available. The other advantages include requirement of minimal fabrication of parts, high accuracy and availability of enough power for not only plastic, but also wood or metal.

The key components of Fabr include 80X20 extruded aluminium, fasteners and bars, drive and anti-backlash nuts, couplers, bearings, aluminium bars, screws, pulleys, timing belts, and ‘A Custom Stepper Motor Controller Board’. The learners are advised to use an Allegro 3967 Micro stepping Stepper Motor Controller. The board contains three drivers, and connectors to have end stops.

DIY 3D printer made from pure sugar: The objectives behind making the above-stated DIY 3D printer are cost-effective design using recycled components, huge printable volume emphasizing over better resolution, and ability of using low-cost print media inclusive of granulated sugar. The process of printing starts with the bed of granular print media which has low melting point. The printing media is fused selectively with a directed, narrow, low-velocity beam. This beam consists of hot air. The bed is then lowered by a diminutive amount. The bed’s top portion is then bombarded with a flat thin layer (of media). By this process, a 2D object is formed. If this process is repeated, 3D object is formed.

Go to Rapid prototype Zone to get your free ebook on Prototyping at Prototyping. Prototype Zone also has Rapid Prototyping Forum, 3D Printer Blog and other information on Prototype Information and daily news.

Tags: Plastic mold, Plastic mould, Rapid prototype

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