Swaged Tube Products, Explained

Woodsage was founded as a steel tube swaging company back in 1975. Since our inception we have expanded our operations to include many different tube fabrication capabilities, however, swaging remains one of our core competencies and no one in the industry does it better.

Swaged tubes are essential components in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy. They offer exceptional strength, durability, and the ability to withstand extreme conditions, making them ideal for demanding applications.

The swaged tube manufacturing process is a precise operation that involves the following steps:

• Material selection and preparation: Common choices include carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. The selected material is cut into suitable lengths and prepared for the swaging process.
• Tube heating: The prepared tube is heated to a specific temperature range to enhance its malleability and make it easier to manipulate. Temperature control is crucial to avoid overheating and compromising the material’s properties.
• Swaging: The swaging process involves reducing the diameter of the tube while increasing its length. This is accomplished using specialized machinery known as swaging machines. These machines consist of a series of progressively arranged dies with different diameters, which the tube passes through to achieve the desired size reduction.
• Annealing: Following the swaging process, the tube may undergo annealing to relieve internal stresses and restore the material’s ductility. Annealing also reduces the risk of cracking.
• Finishing: After annealing, the tube may undergo additional finishing operations, such as cleaning, polishing, or machining, to achieve the desired surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance.
• Quality control: Stringent quality control measures are implemented throughout the manufacturing process. These measures include dimensional inspections, material testing, surface quality assessments, and verification of mechanical properties.

Benefits of swaged tube

Swaged tubes offer a number of advantages over other types of tubing, including:

• Enhanced strength and durability: Swaging improves the grain structure of the metal, resulting in a stronger and more durable tube.
• Increased dimensional precision: Swaging machines can produce tubes with precise dimensional tolerances and a smooth surface finish.
• Tube product versatility: Swaged tubes can be manufactured from a variety of materials and in a wide range of sizes and configurations, making them suitable for a diverse range of applications.

Applications of swaged tube

Swaged tubes are used in a wide variety of industries, including:

• Aerospace: Swaged tubes are used in aircraft engines, fuel systems, and landing gear.
• Automotive: Swaged tubes are used in fuel injection systems, brake lines, and power steering systems.
• Medical: Swaged tubes are used in surgical instruments, implants, and drug delivery devices.
• Energy: Swaged tubes are used in oil and gas exploration, power generation, and renewable energy systems.

Conclusion

Swaged tube manufacturing is a precise process that produces essential components for a variety of industries. Swaged tubes offer a number of advantages over other types of formed tubes, including enhanced strength and durability, increased precision, and versatility.

For more information about how swaging works click here.