Swaging machine is a type of metal forming tool that reduces the diameter of pipe or solid rod by using a series of rapid successions of hammer strikes. This technique is also known as a chipless method of metal forming, and it produces high-quality products with a minimum of material waste. There are a variety of swaging machines available, from small portable devices for service level needs to large, fully automated industrial-scale machinery.
There are two main types of swaging: tube swaging and rotary swaging. The former involves the use of a reduced-diameter end profile to facilitate its easy insertion into a hardened steel swaging die, which then deforms it to a larger diameter. This form of swaging can be used to increase or decrease the diameter of tubes and can even expand them to a circular shape.
The latter, on the other hand, uses a mandrel to achieve this result. A mandrel is placed inside the tubing, which can be expanded to a shape similar to that of the die it was forced through. This form of swaging can produce long or steep tapers and is often employed to make large reductions. The swaging process can also be used to form notches or slots into the ends of tubes and rods, making it possible to connect pieces of different diameters.
There are several advantages of using a swaging machine to point rod or tube, such as:
Speeds assembly process – Fittings produced through swaging can easily be attached to other components such as wire cable, tubings, hoses and flexible tubings. The process is also economical in that it saves on labor and materials costs, as fewer steps are needed to complete the job.
Provides a high finish – The result of swaging is an extremely smooth surface that eliminates the need for additional finishing processes, saving both time and money. It also prevents the formation of burrs and other flaws.
Controls wall thickness – The internal diameter of the swaged piece can be adjusted by utilizing a shaped mandrel, which allows for greater precision and consistency of the overall product.