Project Overview
In September, Baoji Lihua Non-ferrous Metal Co., Ltd. completed export preparation for a batch of oversized titanium weld neck flanges supplied to a customer in Indonesia.
The largest flange in this project had an outside diameter of approximately 2.2 meters. For a component of this scale, the challenge is not simply having a large enough machine. Material identification, dimensional stability, machining accuracy, inspection records, surface protection, lifting, and export packaging all have to work together.
This case shows how Lihua approaches the manufacture and delivery of large titanium connecting components from drawing review through shipment preparation.
1. Large Diameter Means More Than a Larger Product
Once a titanium flange exceeds two meters in diameter, ordinary production assumptions no longer apply.
For a titanium weld neck flange, the relationship between the flange face, bore, neck section, and circumferential bolt holes must remain consistent. Flatness, concentricity, bolt-hole positioning, and sealing-surface condition all influence the final assembly of the customer's equipment.
Original project photo: flange face, neck section, and circumferential bolt holes
Large ring-shaped components also require careful planning during support, lifting, internal transport, and packing. After machining, the sealing face, bore, bolt holes, and other finished surfaces must be protected from impact, contamination, and unnecessary friction during handling and transportation.
2. Project Specifications and Identification
The products in this project featured large annular structures, precision-machined bores, wide flange faces, and evenly distributed bolt holes.
The product markings included ASME SB381-F2 and the relevant dimensions. The two representative items were marked approximately as follows:
- OD 2218 mm x ID 2030 mm x T178 mm
- OD 2114 mm x ID 1988 mm x T215 mm
Original project photo: product marking and ASME SB381-F2 identification
These dimensions are project-specific. Final manufacturing data should always be confirmed against the approved drawing, purchase specification, and inspection requirements.
3. Manufacturing Process for Oversized Titanium Flanges
Drawing and Technical Requirement Review
Before production, the engineering team needs to confirm the overall dimensions, tolerances, neck geometry, bolt-hole layout, sealing face, surface finish, product marking, and inspection requirements.
For oversized products, the review should also consider lifting points, support methods, available measurement space, machining allowance, and the risk of deformation during processing and handling.
Material and Batch Confirmation
The titanium material must correspond to the material documentation and batch information throughout machining and inspection. When required by the project, PMI/XRF material verification can be used as an additional check to reduce the risk of material mix-up or marking errors.
Forming and Large-Scale Machining
Depending on the product design and starting material, the manufacturing route may include forging, ring processing, heat treatment, and pre-machining. Large CNC equipment is then used to machine critical areas such as the flange faces, bore, neck, outside diameter, and bolt holes.
Original project photo repeated: large-scale machining details
During titanium machining, particular attention is required for fixture stability, tool condition, cutting heat, machining allowance, and measurement datums. These controls help maintain dimensional stability across a large ring-shaped component.
Dimensional and Surface Inspection
After machining, inspection may cover the outside diameter, inside diameter, thickness, neck dimensions, bolt-hole positions, flatness, concentricity, parallelism, sealing face, and surface condition. For projects with higher inspection requirements, additional non-destructive testing such as UT can be arranged in accordance with the purchase contract or applicable technical specification.
4. PMI Verification: Connecting the Product to Its Material Records
The project photographs show technicians using a handheld XRF/PMI instrument to verify the titanium flanges.
Original project photo: handheld XRF/PMI material verification
A complete quality record normally connects the following information:
- Specified material grade
- Product surface marking
- MTC material certificate
- Heat number or batch information
- PMI/XRF inspection record
- Dimensional and visual inspection record
This connection between the physical product and its documentation is especially important for oversized, customized components. It gives the customer a clearer basis for receiving inspection, project filing, and future traceability.
5. Export Packaging Is Part of the Delivery
After inspection, oversized titanium flanges still need to pass through lifting, internal transport, crating, and export shipment. The products in this project were prepared in wooden export crates.
Original project photo: wooden export crates prepared for shipment
For large titanium components, the crate structure, support points, load distribution, and surface protection are all important. The sealing face, bore, bolt holes, and machined surfaces should be protected against impact, contamination, and unnecessary rubbing during transport.
For this reason, exporting an oversized titanium flange is not simply a matter of putting a finished product into a box. It is a complete delivery process covering manufacturing, inspection, protection, and logistics preparation.
Lihua Titanium: 20 Years Focused on Titanium Products
Baoji Lihua Non-ferrous Metal Co., Ltd. has focused on titanium materials and titanium products for 20 years. The company serves industrial customers that require corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and customized metal components.
This Indonesia export project reflects the combined capabilities needed for oversized titanium flange supply:
- Coordination of products with an outside diameter of approximately 2.2 meters
- Drawing-based production and dimensional confirmation
- Titanium grade and batch information management
- Large ring-component machining and surface protection
- PMI/XRF material verification
- Wooden export crating for oversized industrial products
If you are sourcing large titanium flanges or customized titanium connecting components, send us the drawing, material grade, dimensions, tolerances, service conditions, inspection requirements, and destination. Our technical team can review the project requirements before quotation and production.
Baoji Lihua Non-ferrous Metal Co., Ltd.
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