Fusion MachinesPIPEFUSION Services Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Checkout Help     ^TOP^

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2. Fusion     ^TOP^

  1. What is butt fusion?
    Simply put, butt fusion joints are made by joining two molten pipe ends together under pressure. There are six steps to fusing pipe:


    • Secure and clean the pipe

    • Face the pipe ends

    • Align the pipe profile

    • Melt the pipe ends

    • Join the two pipes together

    • Hold under pressure while the pipe cools


  2. Are butt-fused joints as strong as mechanically coupled joints?
    When properly made, butt fusion joints are stronger and more reliable than mechanically coupled pipe. The joints don’t leak and are as strong as, or stronger than, the original material.
  3. What does "DR" designate?
    "DR" stand for "dimensional ratio." The dimensional ratio is the nominal outside diameter of the pipe divided by the wall thickness of the pipe. It is used to determine the pressure rating of the pipe. Since the DR is an indicator of wall thickness, it can also be used to determine the proper interfacial force required to properly fuse a pipe. "SDR" stands for "standard dimensional ratio," and refers to standardized dimensional ratios as referenced in certain ASTM standards.
  4. What is the “interfacial pressure?”
    Interfacial pressure is the force, in lbs. per square inch, required to fuse a polyethylene pipe. This number is used in a calculation with the surface area of the pipe end to determine the total fusion force required to fuse a given pipe. The gauge pressure that is used on a fusion machine is determined by a calculation utilizing total force and the cylinder area of the fusion machine.
  5. How can I easily determine proper fusion pressure
    In simple terms, fusion pressure is determined by the size of pipe, the DR designate, and selected interfacial pressure. PPI’s generic fusion guidelines (TR33) give general recommendations on interfacial pressure, or they may be specified by the owner of the pipeline.

  6. Are there published procedures for fusing polyethylene pipe?
    Yes. The Plastics Pipe Institute has published generic guidelines for fusion of plastic pipe. You can download its TR33 from here.
    http://www.plasticpipe.org/pdf/pubs/reports/TR-33-2003.pdf.


    The entire PPI Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe, covering all aspects of design and installation of polyethylene pipe can be downloaded from http://www.plasticpipe.org/applications/ppihandbook03_8_4.php.

  7. How can I determine the quality of a fusion joint?
    The Plastics Pipe Institute’s website outlines simple procedures, including the Bent Strap test, that help you determine the quality of both fusion joints and your fusion method. View the document here: http://www.plasticpipe.org/pdf/pubs/handbook/inspection.pdf


    Additionally, Pipefusion Services Inc. sells a Connectra® unit called DataConnect data recorder. This unit measures and records the critical machine parameters during a fusion. This data can be stored electronically or printed out to verify proper machine performance. However, use of a data recording device is costly and usually not necessary for most applications. Sometimes, particularly on very large diameter or special applications, a data recording device may be desirable.

  8. What is facing?
    Facing is the procedure of evenly cutting off pipe-end material so that the two pipe ends are parallel and clean of any contaminants. On Connectra® equipment, facing is done by the machine as part of the fusion procedure.

  9. How much material should be removed in facing?
    Generally one should face to the facer stops on the machine. Removing this much material will help ensure a clean and square fusion face.

  10. What is an IPS pipe size?
    IPS stands for “Iron Pipe Size”. IPS pipe is sized with nominal outside diameter, and has been the way that most polyethylene pipe has traditionally been sized.

  11. What is a DIPS pipe size?
    DIPS stands for “Ductile Iron Pipe Size”, a sizing standard based on the outside diameter of ductile iron pipe. DIPS pipe sizes are primarily used in water systems where ductile iron pipe sizes were commonly used, and is becoming an increasingly popular sizing standard for polyethylene pipe.


  12. What is a “DN” pipe size?
    DN stands for “diametre nominelle”. These sizes, in millimeters, are set by the International Standards Organization and are in use throughout the world. They roughly correlate, converting inches to millimeters, with the nominal pipe sizes commonly in use in North America.

  13. What is a “CTS” pipe size?
    CTS stands for “Copper Tube Size”. Polyethylene pipe is available in small diameters to match this standard, which is primarily used in the plumbing industry, as well as occasionally in natural gas applications.

  14. How long does it take for a Connectra® machine to make a fusion joint?
    The time it takes to make a joint depends on the pipe size, wall thickness, and specific conditions of the jobsite and construction procedures. Connectra® machines are as efficient and productive as more expensive and complicated machines. Additionally, our customers report that they have less down time for maintenance when compared with more complicated equipment.

  15. Do you need extensive training to operate Connectra® fusion machine?
    Connectra’s fusion machines are designed to be simple to operate. Training on many Connectra® machines is much faster and easier than on more complicated machines. Pipefusion offers orientation and certified training in the use of fusion equipment. For more information please contact Pipefusion Services Inc. at info@pipefusion or call (705) 789 - 9411.

  16. Can Connectra® equipment be operated by one person?
    Connectra® fusion machines are designed to be easily operated by one person. Additional equipment or labor may be needed to handle pipe or transport equipment.

  17. Will I need a generator for my Connectra® machine?
    If the Connectra® equipment is designated SC (self contained) the generator comes with the equipment. Please review the Product section to determine the capabilities of each piece of equipment. Also, review the technical bulletin section to determine generator size requirements.

  18. What pipe sizes will Connectra® machines fuse?
    Connectra’s line of butt fusion machines will fuse pipe from 1/2” CTS to 42” IPS. Connectra® makes equipment to fuse pipe in IPS, DIPS, CTS, and DN sized pipes.

3. Fusion Equipment     ^TOP^

  1. How long does it take for a Connectra® machine to make a fusion joint?
    The time it takes to make a joint depends on the pipe size, wall thickness, and specific conditions of the jobsite and construction procedures. Connectra® machines are as efficient and productive as more expensive and complicated machines. Additionally, our customers report that they have less down time for maintenance when compared with more complicated equipment.

  2. Do you need extensive training to operate Connectra® fusion machine?
    Connectra’s fusion machines are designed to be simple to operate. Training on many Connectra® machines is much faster and easier than on more complicated machines. Pipefusion offers orientation and certified training in the use of fusion equipment. For more information please contact Pipefusion Services Inc. at info@pipefusion or call (705) 789 - 9411.

  3. Can Connectra® equipment be operated by one person?
    Connectra® fusion machines are designed to be easily operated by one person. Additional equipment or labor may be needed to handle pipe or transport equipment.

  4. Will I need a generator for my Connectra® machine?
    If the Connectra® equipment is designated SC (self contained) the generator comes with the equipment. Please review the Product section to determine the capabilities of each piece of equipment. Also, review the technical bulletin section to determine generator size requirements.

  5. What pipe sizes will Connectra® machines fuse?
    Connectra’s line of butt fusion machines will fuse pipe from 1/2” CTS to 42” IPS. Connectra® makes equipment to fuse pipe in IPS, DIPS, CTS, and DN sized pipes.

4. Product Information     ^TOP^

  1. For further product information please contact us:
    sales@pipefusion.com

5. Purchases     ^TOP^

  1. Credit Card Security
    All credit card information is encrypted and stored on our secured server (Utilizing SSL). Access to this information is only available to authorized staff of Pipefusion who directly decrypt the information only when it is needed for the completion of the purchase. The information remains encrypted on the server and only a decrpted copy is given to the staff. This copy is held only for the duration of the purchase and is then destroyed.
  2. Credit Card Processing
    Credit Card purchases are not processed until after a final bill has been determined and confirmation of product availability is established. This is usually done within 48hours of receiving the order but can vary depending on the product.

6. Shipping     ^TOP^

  1. Timing
    Orders are usually processed the next business day from submittal. This means that the order and products still need to be verified and the shipping calculated. This whole process should not take more than 48hours with the exception of orders placed on a weekend or Canadian holiday.
  2. Delivery Details
    Items ordered through Pipefusion.com will be shipped by Courier, LTL or full truck load by default unless other accounts/methods are requested for use. The default shipping method will be determined by the weight, dimension and volume of your order.

    Shipping and handling fees will be charged based on:

    + Shipment Weight / Volume
    + Delivery Destination

7. Shopping     ^TOP^

  1. Why is there a Minimum Order / Handling Fee?
    As our product price range is so varried it is important to level out the operational or processing costs associated with processing orders submitted through the website.

    Our minimum order amount is designed to do this by applying a handling fee in the difference of your order balance and the minimum order amount set by Pipefusion Services Inc.