search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • EBOOKS
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!
Plumbing NewsColumnsTechnology for Contractors

Pipe fabrication enters the digital age

By Matthew Puzio
Pipe fabrication enters the digital age

In today’s age of connected devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), customers demand digital precision from their equipment and tools.

Matthew Puzio

Matthew Puzio is technical leader in the Tool Technology Department at Victaulic.

Pipe fabrication enters the digital age
Matthew Puzio
June 28, 2017

In today’s age of connected devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), customers demand digital precision from their equipment and tools. In response, manufacturers are developing smarter and more automated connected solutions.

Within the pipe fabrication industry, the IoT has massive potential and the machine tool industry is at a pivotal point where automation controls and feature-rich computer systems are merging to create a whole new generation of manufacturing equipment.

For contractors and engineers, the biggest challenge is to find a reliable shop that can guarantee that their grooved pipe is up to the specifications required. Roll grooving machines currently on the market require the tool to be manually adjusted, and, following completion of the groove, require manual measurement of the pipe — leaving an opening for inaccuracy.

IoT-enabled products, including Victaulic’s RG5200i, automate these processes, modernizing and simplifying pipe grooving while ensuring accuracy in the grooving process and reliability in the finished piping system operation. With data from these tools in hand, the operator doesn’t have to measure things like the circumference of the pipe and the groove by hand. For any dimensions out of spec, these tools will display what adjustments are needed.

The IoT and cutting-edge technology are converging to make pipe fabricators more efficient and competitive. Using integrated sensors and instrumentation roll groovers puts real-time quality-control data in the hands of machine shops, enabling them to guarantee the consistency and integrity of the grooved pipe when it leaves the shop.


As consumer products get smarter, we can also expect the devices we use on the job to be smarter.


But another important aspect of any IoT product is its post-sale support services. Every provider of a product or service understands the critical role of post-sale support, but what’s less well understood is how dramatically the nature of that support has shifted when it comes to the IoT. For example, Victaulic provides support 24 hours a day through the installation of cameras and computer connections monitored by engineers who have control and easy access to each client’s system for remote support. This facilitates upgrades and the process of adding on new features as they become available to these IoT-enabled products.

Another benefit of the usage of smart tools relates to insurance companies. IoT-based analytics can be used to predict future events, for example, such as major weather patterns. This can help insurance companies better price policies and prepare customers for upcoming incidents, which should help reduce damages. 

Additionally, home insurance companies are incentivizing customers to install connected devices that warn of potential danger to properties, auto insurers are offering clients the opportunity to potentially lower their premiums by allowing the insurance company to monitor their driving habits, and property insurance companies are increasingly using drones to assess damages after an incident has occurred.

In our industry, when contractors can demonstrate to insurance companies that they work with manufacturers that have these smart technologies at hand, which lowers risks and provides pipes free of defects time and time again, the cost of premiums should drop considerably.

This trend toward automation and connected machines will certainly continue and become more prominent as manufacturers recognize and respond to industry demand for such products. As consumer products get smarter, we can also expect the devices we use on the job to be smarter. Industry demand is certainly a driver of this trend, but so is the evolution and cost of the technology embedded in the products.

Smart tools will continue to be used to create improved work environments, measure success and efficiency and simplify communication so users can get the most out of every technological asset and investment in the industry. The timing makes efficiency, productivity and competitiveness more imperative than ever.

In this new era, contractors and engineers should demand more from their suppliers in terms of digital technologies that help them ensure the quality and consistency of their finished products. Companies that remain hesitant to integrate new technologies into their systems and processes to meet the needs of today’s customers will find it difficult to stay competitive, while those who can stay ahead of the curve will thrive.

To learn more about Victaulic and the technology behind the RG5200i, visit bit.ly/RG5200i.

KEYWORDS: pipe smart technology

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Matthew Puzio is technical leader in the Tool Technology Department at Victaulic, where he manages the engineering team in charge of next-generation tool development. Achieving several patents over the past 10 years at Victaulic, Puzio has led the development of some of the company’s major product lines, including a hybrid fire-suppression system and smart balancing valves. A recipient of the Bedford Award for Innovation, Puzio holds a BSEET (1998) of University of Hartford and an MS (2013) in Engineering Management from Penn State University.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

    Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

    Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative...
    Green Plumbing and Mechanical
    By: Nicole Krawcke
  • Uponor employee, Arturo Moreno

    The reinvestment in American manufacturing and training

    Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke and...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke and Natalie Forster
  • March 2024 Women in Plumbing hero image of woman engineer overlayed by circle of hexagon shapes with numbers from 1 to 10

    Celebrating 10 Influential Women in the Plumbing Industry

    Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • J.J. Keller CMV vehicles on road
    Sponsored byJ. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

    The dash cam game-changer for small business safety

Popular Stories

Heat pump of air-water technology for the home.

Rethinking Heat Transfer: Why 'Natural' Isn't Always Ideal for Air-to-Water Systems

Bath & Kitchen Pro 2025 Cover 900x550 hero image

eBook | Fifth annual Bath & Kitchen Pro

Solar rooftop on apartment condo building in Nashville, Tennessee. Production of clean ecological electrical energy. Renewable electricity with zero emission.

The Age of Deregulation? Proposed Changes to Federal Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Standards

2025 Bath & Kitchen Pro eBook

Events

November 13, 2024

Future Proofing MEP: Navigating the 2026 High Efficiency Water Heating Standards

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Download the FREE Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook: Plumbing Trends Increasing Safe Water Availability

Related Articles

  • Nicole Krawcke

    Nicole Krawcke: Managing productivity in the digital age

    See More
  • PM Product Of The Month
    CTS Fabrication Flanges

    See More
  • The Age Of The Electric Service Truck

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • The ACCA Job Safety (1).jpg

    The ACCA On-The-Job Safety Handbook (Pack of 5)

  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Plumbing\new sites\classic_hydronics.gif

    Classic Hydronics - How To Get The Most From Those Older Hot-Water Heating Systems

See More Products
×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing