Duct elbow fabrication is one of the most important activities during HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, systems’ installation processes. Elbows are placed in various positions along the ducts and ducts where flow requires change in directions making the process of elbow construction very much critical, we will explain the commonly used air duct elbows making methods, present the advantages of multi-segment discriminatory bite joint splicing, as well as cover the tools used for the manufacture of multi-stage bite joint elbows.
Two Commonly Used Methods for Making Air Duct Elbows
In the production of duct system elbows for air distribution, there are two ways that are used primarily:
1. Half Circle Welding
This too half circle welding is the action of creating two half circle pieces of sheet metal and performing welding of the two halves along the seam after the pieces have been joined to form an elbow. This technique is relatively simple and efficient however there is a need for crafting the end product in such a manner that strong and air-tight welds are attained and this more often than not entails a painstaking process. It is very useful for low volume production runs or when standard size elbows are not suitable and specifically made.
2. Multi-Segment Bite Joint Splicing
Multi-segment bite joint splicing is another advanced approach. In this technique, several smaller segments, also known as gores, are cut from sheet metal. Such segments get fastened together with a bite joint or some other fastening form, like a Pittsburgh lock. This method is often preferred for larger volume production and for common duct sizes as it has been shown to be labor saving and easy to fabricate.
The Advantages of Multi-Segment Bite Joint Splicing
Economy and Easily Fabrication
Multi-segment bite joint splicing has a lot of merits and one of them is its economy and easiness of fabrication. Lesser segments blunt as a result of this and other costs are greatly reduced. One can therefore afford to employ lower grade workers at the production stage as the need for very skilled welders is done away with thus cost of production is brought down.
Common Elbow Sizes
In multi-segment bite joint splicing, elbows to air ducts have R curves which are normally not less than 1.5D of the duct dimension. This ratio allows for sufficient airflow within the system without causing too much turbulence which may interfere negatively with the efficiency of the device. Because of the risk of standardization of dimensions and mass production, the multi-segment method is recommended for large HVAC projects.
Four Types of Equipment Required for Making Multi-Segment Bite Joint Elbows
In the mass production of multi-segment bite joint elbows the following four types of equipment are important.
1. Laser Cutting Machine
This machine is employed in cutting the sheet metal into segmental pieces or gores. The segments are laser cut to allow for great fitting of the segments when applied in the final product thus reducing the joint/segment gap and chances of air leak.
2. Bending Machine
The use of the bending machine serves the purpose of die pressing each of the flat segments into the particular bent shapes required. Such mechanism permits.
3. Stitch Welder
A stitch welder is deployed for piggybacking each segment to the next along the edges. Stitch welding engages as a series of tack welds placed at intervals instead of the conventional models of joining. Hence it enables positioning of segments before final shape elbow is formed.
4. Gore Locker
The gore locker is defined as a locking mechanism used to hold together the formed parts lock biting or Pittsburgh locking seam. This locking mechanism is aimed at making sure that the joints do not leak because they are sealed in securely which is very important in preserving the functionality of the ducts as well as their diversity.
Conclusion
In summary, making duct elbows or fabricating ductwork components is an inherent part of ductwork construction processes, and typically the two are half circle welding and multi-segment bite joint splicing. However, half circle welding applies for smaller runs and customized sizes. Multi-segment bite joint splicing presents a lot of benefits in terms of cost, time taken, and fabrication methods.
For the process of multi-segment bite joint splicing, devices like the laser cutting machines, bending machines, stitch welders and gore lockers are essential as they enhance the quality of the output produced. Utilizing such methods and tools, HVAC specialist can develop very good duct elbows that are standards compliant as well as adding to the overall effect.
