The oil and gas industry demands high quality when it comes to the components and parts it uses to ensure operations run efficiently and safely. This requires a manufacturing process that can produce accurate and complex components and parts repeatably and with minimal waste which is exactly what computer numerical control (CNC) technology does.
This post looks at what oil and gas parts machining is, its benefits and how Washington Components is a leading manufacturer in this sector.
What is CNC machining in the Oil and Gas Industry?
The level of demand placed on components and parts in the oil and gas industry means high-performance metals and speciality alloys are required to ensure that the quality and integrity of each piece remains high.
The bespoke components are integral to gas and oil equipment and are critical to their efficiency, reliability and safety. The implications if a part or piece of equipment fails can be catastrophic so each component must be of the highest quality which is why CNC turning and machining is the best manufacturing process for this sector.
Oil and gas precision engineering involves creating CNC machined parts that include:
- fluid ends that have to withstand extremely high pressure
- heat exchanger components that regulate temperatures during the refining process
- pipe fittings and flanges that ensure leak-proof connections
- pump and valve components that control the flow and pressure of oil
What are the benefits of CNC machining in this sector?
With such high demands of the parts and components required in the oil and gas industry to ensure equipment is efficient, reliable and safe, precision machining services are required to ensure each part provides the same level of quality and can be created in high volumes.
There are many benefits of using oil and gas CNC machine tools for the engineering process to create the level of tolerance and quality required. Some of the key benefits are:
Consistency
CNC machines can manufacture parts that give a high level of consistency so that the first part produced is exactly the same as the 99th part. This level of accuracy is crucial for the oil and gas industries where parts need to be replaced quickly and reliably.
Customisation
Innovation is a key aspect of the oil and gas industry so being able to create customised parts is vital to ensure unique products have the right components.
Efficiency
CNC turning machines can reduce the time and labour required to manufacture parts by operating continuously when needed which helps to reduce costs and increase productivity.
Materials
The types of materials used to create equipment for this sector varies depending on what it does therefore being able to work with a wide range of materials from composites, metals and plastics is a huge benefit. This level of versatility means a wide range of d parts can be manufactured using CNC machines.
Precision
The oil and gas industry operates using high-precision parts that ensure its equipment runs efficiently and, most importantly, safely. One of the key benefits of oil and gas CNC machining is its ability to produce accurate and precise parts with tight tolerances which is vital to ensure equipment is safe.
Washington Components’ expertise in precision and complex parts
With over 40 years of experience in CNC milling and turning, fabrication, welding and project management, Washington Components has a wealth of expertise in creating precision parts for the oil and gas sector. Our teams manufacture high volumes of custom pieces that meet the complex challenges of this industry and the high demands of its equipment from extreme temperatures to harsh conditions.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your precision machining for oil and gas needs.
