What is the function of mechanical structural pipes?

As the basic components in the industrial field, mechanical structural pipes, with their high strength and easy processing characteristics, undertake core functions such as support, transportation, and protection in various equipment and projects. Their performance directly affects the stability and safety of the overall structure.

Structural support

In mechanical equipment, structural pipes are the main load-bearing components. The square structural pipes of the machine tool bed are welded into a frame, which can withstand a working load of 5-50 tons. With the reinforcement rib design, the deflection is controlled within 0.1mm/m to ensure processing accuracy. The booms and frames of construction machinery use a large number of high-strength alloy structural pipes with a yield strength of more than 355MPa. They resist impact and vibration during frequent operations and extend the service life of the equipment.

Temporary support systems in the construction field （such as scaffolding and formwork supports） use Q235 structural pipes, which are connected by fasteners to form a stable frame. A single φ48mm steel pipe can bear 2-3 tons of vertical load, meeting construction safety requirements. In temporary bridge reinforcement, thick-walled structural pipes （wall thickness 10-20mm） can disperse structural stress and ensure traffic safety during construction.

Media transportation

Mechanical structural pipes are widely used in fluid transportation systems. Precision structural pipes (inner wall roughness Ra≤0.8μm) in hydraulic equipment can transport hydraulic oil with a working pressure of 16-31.5MPa, and can achieve leak-free transmission with sealed joints. Pneumatic systems use thin-walled structural pipes, which drive actuators through compressed air. The transmission response speed in automated production lines is fast, with a delay of ≤0.5 seconds.

In material transportation, wear-resistant structural pipes (such as porcelain-lined composite pipes) can transport abrasive materials such as ores and mortar, and their service life is 3-5 times longer than that of ordinary steel pipes. Stainless steel structural pipes (304 material) for food processing meet hygiene standards and are used to transport materials such as juice and sauces. The inner wall is smooth and not easy to retain impurities, reducing cleaning costs.

Protection and isolation

Structural pipes can provide physical protection for sensitive components. The cable protection pipes of automation equipment use galvanized structural pipes, which can resist mechanical collision and dust erosion, while shielding electromagnetic interference to ensure stable signal transmission. In outdoor equipment, anti-corrosion treated structural pipes (such as plastic-coated pipes) can protect internal lines from rain and ultraviolet rays and adapt to extreme environments of -40℃ to 80℃.

Precision structural pipes (such as titanium alloy pipes) in medical equipment are used as protective shells to reduce the weight of the equipment and isolate the impact of external vibration on the instrument to ensure detection accuracy. The gas delivery system in the laboratory uses seamless structural pipes to isolate different gases (such as oxygen and nitrogen) to avoid cross contamination and meet safety regulations.

Modular connection: simplify assembly and improve flexibility

The standardized characteristics of structural pipes make them the core of modular design. The assembly line equipment is quickly assembled through structural pipes and connectors, and it only takes 30 minutes to adjust the spacing or layout, which is 80% more efficient than the transformation of welded frames. The columns of the storage shelves are made of perforated structural tubes, which can flexibly adjust the height of the shelves to accommodate the storage of goods of different specifications. A single set of shelves can bear a load of 1-5 tons.

In the construction of temporary facilities, lightweight structural pipes （such as aluminum alloy tubes） are connected by snaps, and 2-3 people can complete the assembly. They are widely used in exhibition booths, temporary fences and other scenes. They can be reused after disassembly, reducing costs by more than 30%.

With the development of material technology, new products such as carbon fiber structural pipes（5 times stronger than steel and 60% lighter） and antibacterial stainless-steel pipes are constantly emerging, which are promoting the application of mechanical structural pipes in high-end fields such as aerospace and medical devices, and continue to expand their functional boundaries.