Once the pipe is cut to the desired length, we’re going to transfer over to the bell expander.
There are various joints you can utilize for steel water pipe. Usually they’re selected based on the project specifications and the installer’s needs.
The most popular is the lap welded joint. A critical part of the lap welded joint is the bell expander.
On the bell expander, segmented dies specific to the pipe diameter are utilized. Once these dyes are in place, the pipe end is placed over the dies.
While the dies are being expanded, the operator is taking measurements to ensure that the tight tolerances required for the lap welded joint are met. The ID of the bell and lap welded joint versus the OD of the spigot are only 1/8 of an inch different.
Once the expansion is complete, the pipe end is backed off the bell expander and then transferred to the hydrostatic pipe section.
