Tube end preparation

Parker Tube Assembly Tube assemblies are great alternatives to rubber lines when flexibility of the hose is not required. Many tube assembly advantages include more compact package (smaller OD and minimum bend radius than a comparable hose), better flow and less pressure drop.

 

Follow the guide below (and links on this page) to learn about proper tube assembly fabrication techniques.

Regardless of the tube assembly’s end configuration employed, tube end preparation is a very critical first step in tube assembly fabrication process. It is necessary in order to produce a leak-free tube assembly. The three steps in proper tube end preparation are cutting, deburring and cleaning.

1 - Cutting

Cut tube square within +/- 1°, using a circular toothed cut-off saw or a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade guided by a saw guide.

Cutting tube end with a Parker cut-off saw  Cutting tube end with hacksaw
Using Parker Circular Toothhead Cut-Off Saw  Using Hacksaw with a Saw Guide
Cutting tube end with a Parker cut-off saw Using Parker Circular Toothhead Cut-Off Saw  Cutting tube end with hacksaw  Using Hacksaw with a Saw Guide

 

IMPORTANT: If tubing is not cut square, the integrity of a tube assembly may be affected.

Effects of uneven cut on flare-less assembly

 Effects of uneven cut on flare-less assembly

Effects of uneven cut on JIC assembly

 Effects of uneven cut on JIC assembly

Effects of uneven cut on ORFS assembly

 Effects of uneven cut on ORFS assembly

Effects of uneven cut on brazed ORFS assembly

 Effects of uneven cut on brazed ORFS assembly

 

2 - Deburring

Lightly deburr the I.D. and O.D. of the tube end to remove burrs and sharp edges. For steel and stainless steel tubing, use the In-Ex deburring tool or power deburring tool. For soft tubing, use emery paper. Use front mounted deburring tools if using Parker TP432 or TP1025 tube preparation center.

TIP: Point tube end downward during deburring to keep chips from entering the tube.

Parker In-Ex deburring tool P/N 226a Parker deburring tool P/N 972125 
Parker In-Ex Deburring Tool Parker Power Deburring Tool
Parker In-Ex deburring tool P/N 226a Parker In-Ex Deburring Tool Parker deburring tool P/N 972125  Parker Power Deburring Tool

 

3 - Cleaning

Remove metal chips from inside of the tube with a brush or compressed air. Wipe the inside and the outside of the deburred tube end with a clean rag. 

IMPORTANT: If debris is present in the tube end, it leads to hydraulic system contamination. Debris can also get embedded into the flange or flare which potentially creates leak paths and the tube assembly has to get replaced.

Once the steps above are completed, you are ready for the next step in fabrication your tube assembly, which is typically either tube flaring, flanging, brazing, pre-setting or tube bending.

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