Many people think of their fireplace when the word "bellow" is mentioned but there's another type of bellow that may prove to be even more useful. The metal bellow is a connector that allows for many different uses - and some can even be custom made, allowing for maximum adaptability. What exactly is a metal bellow? Though many people have never heard of them, metal bellows are exceptionally versatile. They [...]
Exhaust flex joints are kinds of metal bellows. A bellows is an object or device with concertinaed sides which allow the component to expand and contract. A custom bellows design requires special attention to 12 important qualities: stress modes, flexing, pressure differential, rigid stops, spring rate, life cycles, temperature extremes, exposure, assembly method, vibration, end configuration, and geometric constraints. An exhaust flex joint is a flexible component for exhaust [...]
Expansion joints are very popular in fluid pumping systems. In most cases, they are installed in the piping network near the valve or pump. The expansion joints compensate for thermal increases that cause the pipes to grow. They also help in preventing stress from being directed to the rotating equipment piece or pump. There is always the risk of bearing issues and mechanical seal failure whenever the pump becomes stressed [...]
When it comes to machinery and design, making metal bellows is key to keeping final products flexible and durable. With nearly 180,000 workers in the oil and gas industry in the US — according to the Bureau of Statistics reports of July 2017 — the use of metal bellows will only increase. Selling after-market parts, including pipe expansion joints, stainless steel bellows, and other machinery components allows buyers to save [...]
Making metal bellows, especially custom metal bellows, is a complicated process. There are many steps involved in metal bellows manufacturing, and all of them need to be properly followed. Otherwise, you might end up with faulty equipment or bellows that break well before their expected lifespan. The first and most important step of making metal bellows is, of course, designing them. Here are a few elements of metal bellows design [...]
Metal bellows are elastic vessels that can be compressed upon the application of pressure to the bellows’ outside surfaces, or extended under vacuum forces. When the pressure or vacuum force is alleviated, the bellows returns to its original shape as long as it has not been forced beyond its capacity. They are cylindrical vessels made of heavy duty metals like stainless steel, nickel alloys, titanium, and more. Tube-shaped bellows and [...]
One way or another, things sometimes go wrong and equipment can break. This can cause a variety of problems for your business, since replacing parts can take time and resources that you might not have. Even if you do have the means of repairing your equipment, doing so will interrupt the flow of business and cause problems for your bottom line. Understanding why your metal expansion joints might fail can [...]
A piping system's expansion joints function in a number of different roles. While this versatility makes them very valuable components, it also means that there are many different causes of expansion joint failure. Know these important aspects surrounding the life expectancy of your stainless steel expansion joints and you'll be better prepared to replace them when necessary. What is the life expectancy of pipe expansion joints? When the design, [...]
Metal bellows have been relied upon in various manufacturing methods across various industries. They play a vital role in sensing and sealing applications. Bellows can convert changes in their internal or external pressure into an applied force; at the same time, they deflect elastically in response to this force and exert a reactive force. Essentially, metal bellows act as piston-spring combination. Despite the fact that they are used in so [...]
When it comes to manufacturing parts, it's easy to get certain details confused. Many mechanical items look at least somewhat similar, especially to the untrained eye. However, getting pieces confused can cause problems in your machine design or repair, as well as generally reducing the efficiency of your work setup. Two components that are easy to confuse with one another are exhaust bellows and flex hoses, but the difference can [...]
