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Orbital welding: the perfect method for stainless steel pipe welding
Pipelines are an essential component of bothindustrial and agricultural systems. They encompass not only various oilpipelines but also other types of conduits, widely used in factories,residential buildings, and public utility systems. Their primary functioninvolves transporting fuels, lubricants, or supplying heat. Installingstainless steel pipelines requires specialized professional expertise. Thestainless steel used in pipeline manufacturing is a highly practical anddurable material with distinct characteristics—most notably its inertnesstoward the majority of flowing media. Structural components are joined throughwelding techniques.
Stainless steel pipelines are extensively appliedin the following sectors: food production, cosmetic manufacturing,pharmaceuticals, and engineering system installations. Installation standardsfor stainless steel pipelines are established according to their specificapplications. The operational safety and efficiency of these systems directlydepend on the accuracy of design documentation and the quality of subsequentinstallation.
**Food Production Pipelines**
Food processing pipelines fall under the categoryof process piping and are exclusively made from stainless steel. Thesepipelines connect various production zones, forming integrated systems withrequired functionalities. Stainless steel exhibits inert behavior towardnumerous substances and is highly resistant to corrosion. This property iscrucial when selecting piping materials—since there is no risk of corrosion orchemical reactions when in contact with food-grade media, contamination of thetransported substances is effectively prevented.
Stainless steel pipelines are reasonably appliedin:
- The confectionery industry
- Dairy processing
- Brewing
- Production facilities for alcoholic andnon-alcoholic beverages, juices, and processing of vegetable or fruit rawmaterials
Depending on the production type, food industrypipelines can transport various media such as water, syrup, milk, liquidsemi-finished ingredients, juices, beverages, beer, and more.
**Dairy Industry Pipelines**
Dairy production technology involves many intricaciesthat require specialized equipment, particularly during raw material processingstages. In dairy processing, there are two main types—primary and secondary.Together with a series of dedicated machinery (such as separators,homogenizers, and coolers), this enables resource optimization and theproduction of genuinely high-quality and safe dairy products. Continuous andcoordinated operation of all equipment is key to business profitability, makingthe correct installation of milk pipelines one of the most critical aspects.
For food pipeline installations, orbital welding isstrongly recommended. This technique ensures that welds meet the requiredquality and strength standards.
**What Is Orbital Welding?**
Orbital welding refers to an automated processperformed using specialized equipment that ensures full penetration of the weldalong the entire circumference of the pipe. This is achieved by bending theelectric arc between electrodes through a full 360-degree rotation. Orbitalwelding is particularly necessary when a large number of high-quality,consistent welds are required within a short timeframe. The welding processtakes place in an inert gas environment (typically argon), which eliminatescontact between the weld surface and oxygen.
**Where Is Orbital Welding Used?**
Orbital welding technology is in high demand acrossvarious industries, especially those with strict cleanliness requirements fortransported media (such as pharmaceuticals and food processing). The followingtypes of connections are typically installed using orbital welding:
• Flanged connections
• Butt welds
• T-joints
• Welds between elbow fittings
• Pipe-to-tube-sheet joints
After orbital welding, the resulting welds aresmooth, free of drips or defects, ensuring both structural integrity andhygienic compliance.