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Wall thickness uniformity in plastic pipes: Computer simulations of the effectiveness of die mandrel offsetting and pipe rotation in combatting sag
Author(s) -
Pittman J. F. T.,
Whitham G. P.,
Farah I. A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760351106
Subject(s) - mandrel , materials science , rotation (mathematics) , die (integrated circuit) , composite material , concentric , pipe , flow (mathematics) , mechanics , geometry , physics , mathematics , nanotechnology
A computer simulation, based on a thermoviscous model of cooling and gravity induced flow (sag) in plastic pipe manufacture, which has previously been described in detail and validated against experimental results, is here used to investigate the effectiveness of die mandrel offsetting and pipe rotation in combatting sag. SDR11 MDPE pipes of 315, 560, 800, and 1000 mm diameter are considered. Results are examined in terms of a waste percentage, representing polymer used in excess of that corresponding to the minimum wall thickness. With a concentric mandrel, waste is predicted to be 4.3, 14.0, 17.9, and 18.7% for the four sizes, respectively. Optimum offsets and minimum waste percentages are found to be: 2 mm, 0.8%; 15 mm, 4.6%; 42 m, 9.8%; 63 mm, 12.7%, respectively. For the largest pipe this corresponds to a wall thickness variation of 19.6 mm. Simulations of rotation of the 800 mm pipe show waste falling rapidly to 5% at 1 revolution/4800s, then a slower decrease, reaching 1.6% at 1 revolution/600s. The simulation is equally applicable to all grades and sizes of pipe, and provides a valuable computer aid for the design and operation of pipe cooling lines.