Free Forming Systems On March 21, 1972, Pacific Roller Die Company, Inc. (PRD) received U.S. Patent No. 3,650,015 for method and apparatus to manufacture spiral weldseam pipe. This Patent is the foundation for PRD's proprietary technology. PRD utilizes the proprietary "Free Forming" System to form the spiral pipe from coils of carbon steel and other metals  A plurality of rolls are lined up with the helical direction of the steel strip from the coil and the strip is formed into a geometric tubular shape based on the width of the strip and the helical angle of entry into the pipe forming apparatus.  With high quality steel strip and an experienced operator, PRD's "Free Forming" System makes the best quality welded pipe in the world with very little scrap.  Competitive pipe making systems for high quality pipes utilize external and/or internal forming devices to push the strip into the desired pipe diameter. Pushing to form the pipe created stresses in the pipe. In high yield pipes, these stresses created by pushing become very important and can dramatically affect the long term performance of the pipes under working pressures.  Spiral pipes or pipes such as longitudinal pipes which are pushed into final shape will not be straight and uniform and welding is required to hold the pipe together. Typically these pipes will not be round or the correct diameter and typically require additional pushing with pipe body sizing.  In contrast, pipes formed with PRD's Free Forming System will be very uniform and straight even without being welded. Little or no stresses have been introduced in the pipes formed with PRD's Free Forming System.  There are also other distinct advantages to PRD's Free Forming System:    Free Forming Systems allows for a large range of pipe diameters at minimal additional cost; PRD's pipe diameter range is from 219mm to 3692mm. Free Forming Systems greatly decrease the change over time. The change over time with PRD Free Forming System is between two to eight hours depending upon the pipe product and diameter.   [Home]  [About PRD]  [Products]  [Press Releases]  [Contact Us] [Latest News]  © Copyright 1997-2008, Pacific Roller Die Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.