LSAW Pipe Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for LSAW pipes can be divided into two methods: UOE and JCOE. These methods have distinct characteristics.

UOE Pipe Manufacturing Process

UOE is a formingprocessing method used for production of large diameter longitudinally welded pipe.

Three Main Forming Steps of UOE Pipe Forming Process Are As Following:

First, steel plate pre-bending

Second, U forming

Third, O forming

Each step is completed by adopting dedicated forming press in sequence to deform the steel plate into a circular pipe.

JCOE Pipe Manufacturing Process

JCOE is a forming process used to produce large diameter longitudinally submerged arc welded (LSAW) steel pipes. The process involves pre-welding, forming, and cold expanding after welding according to the ‘J-C-O-E’ sequence.

To manufacture JCOE pipes, steel sheets or plates are first cut to the required size and then fed through a series of rollers to form a J shape. The edges of the plates are then trimmed to be straight and parallel for welding. The plate is formed into a C shape through additional steps on the forming machine, with incremental corrections made for ovality and straightness. Finally, the plate is expanded to form the final O-shaped pipe blank.

JCOE Process Has The Following Characteristics:

First, high forming accuracy

Second, high efficiency

Third, balanced distribution of forming stress

Comparison of JCOE and UOE Process:

JCOE is a method of forming steel pipes that offers greater flexibility in terms of diameter and wall thickness, allowing it to meet a wider range of user specifications. While the investment required for JCOE is relatively small, its production efficiency is lower compared to UOE molding.
UOE molding, on the other hand, utilizes U and O twice pressure molding, resulting in a larger capacity and higher output. However, due to its high investment cost, it is more suitable for mass production of a single specification.