Forming thermoplastic pipe joints - using automatic equipment to soften and dilate the end of pipes

摘要

Automatic equipment positions the end of a thermoplastic e.g. PVC pipe on a framework, hydraulically clamps the pipe between saddles, temporarily encloses one end in an oven and then retracts the oven to allow a mandrel to dilate the softened zone into a standard female or 'tulip' coupling. Pref. the other end of the pipe is braced against the mandrel thrust. After chilling the pipe, the mandrel is withdrawn and the shaped pipe automatically jettisoned.