The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Nathan Crouch, one of the managers at Inductabend, and the standard induction and housekeeping spiel.
We then jumped into an introduction into some of the basics on linepipe for gas pipelines including some key insights into linepipe dimensional tolerances and their implications on induction bends.
A quick summary of other bending methods (including cold field bending) was given before we jumped into the main course – induction bending.
Nathan gave us an overview of how the induction bending machine works aswell as an in-depth look at how the induction heating and bending process effects the mechanical properties of the material being bent.
Focus was then shifted onto the procurement. Nathan stepped us through each stage of the process with references back to ISO 15590-1 (the prevailing standard that governs induction bending in Australia).
Once we had covered off the qualification process and examined the various NDT and Mechanical test requirements, it was time to switch up the pace and jump into the factory and check out the induction bending process up close and personal.
It was great to see some of the elements discussed earlier in the day up close and ask various questions further strengthening our understanding of the process. We were even able to go up onto the machine to see how all the process parameters are controlled. Out In Inductabends yard we got an appreciation of the full range of different bends Inductabend is able to produce and learnt about some of the innovations Inductabend has brought to market.
After retreating inside to escape the cold we finished off the procurement process with a look at production bends & coating of pipe. Then we jumped into key considerations for high grade carbon steel induction bends and duplex & stainless steel bends. To finish off the session we recapped the main points and covered some common pitfalls people fall into when ordering induction bends, before tucking into some food and having a chat with everyone in attendance.
A big thankyou to Nathan and Inductabend for opening their doors and putting together an enjoyable and highly informative morning!