Optimized performance of equipment for ship pipe spool fabrication

In this study, the optimized performance of laser cutting and roundness correction equipment used for pipe welding interfaces during ship piping spool fabrication was investigated. First, the heat transfer phenomena generated during pipe cutting using laser equipment were examined. To analyze thermal deformation at the cut surface, transient heat transfer analyses were conducted following a defined thermal analysis procedure, considering variations in pipe material, diameter and heat source characteristics. In addition, thermo-structural interaction analyses were performed to verify the structural integrity of the pipe under thermal stress, and the effects of heat source travel speed on thermal distribution and structural response were evaluated. Thermo-structural interaction analyses were carried out for a total of eight comparative cases based on combinations of pipe material, diameter and heat source travel speed. The results indicated that the travel speed of the heat source had a dominant influence on the resulting thermal distribution. Furthermore, to reduce machining inaccuracies and welding errors during pipe fitting by improving pipe roundness, the optimal pressing force of the roundness correction equipment was evaluated through reaction force measurements. Based on these analyses, optimal correction pressures and device settings suitable for the elastic recovery characteristics of each material were derived. In particular, material-specific optimal correction pressures were determined to ensure appropriate loading conditions on both the pipe and the roundness correction device.