We have been very fortunate. In the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic thing, we are doing very well and just hired a new CNC machinist in the shop. I find it amazing how much a new hire teaches us. After reviewing the manuals, we began teaching Brandon about our primary product line; pipe flanges. It’s amazing just how much there is to know about this “simple” product.
First, there is all of the industry specific terminology. The nominal pipe size that each item will be used for is easy enough but try to explain to someone why a 2″ pipe is not 2″ on any dimension?!? Then there is the pressure “class” which determines the flange dimensions but has no other relationship to what actual pressure the flange connection will hold. I don’t even want to talk about Navy flanges. The Navy, who when they come in for an audit of our QA system, wants every part of your operation to be uniform, has prints that are all over the board and then they deviate or modify those prints even more when ordering to meet their needs. Try explaining that logic to a new person anywhere in your operation!
Second is the machining terminology that we casually throw around in the shop. From cutting tool geometry and grade like “oh, I used the CNMG 643 15 degree corner in the 25B grade to form the hubs on the duplex stainless parts for Charlie”. What did he just say and who is Charlie? And it gets weirder from there.
Brandon is a good hire and I am sure he will be talking just like us soon and not even be thinking about it. He listens well, takes notes and asks the right questions. All important things.
I’m sure Brandon isn’t the only one who needs more information about pipe flanges. Here is a great link for the basics. https://www.theprocesspiping.com/introduction-to-flanges/
Any detailed questions … call us. Maybe we can help. Enjoy. Joe