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Our fabricators are also capable of handling carbon and stainless steel, alloy 20, aluminum, chrome-moly and nickel-based pipe in sizes ranging from one-half to 42 inches in diameter, and wall thickness from one-sixteenth to 8 inches. Chapman's capabilities have also extended to the fabrication and assembly of custom skids, modules and devices as well as exotic shapes.
 Our newest enhancement to fabrication operations is the purchase of a Vernon Pipe Cutting Machine. In addition to our uses, we are offering this machine’s capabilities to pipe suppliers, engineering firms, structural fabricators and other contractors. Please click on the Pipe Cutting link to see more information.
Purchasing of stock pipe and sheet as well as fittings, flanges and other components play a critical part in the fabrication process, particularly on fast-track projects. Chapman maintains nearly 50 tons of inventory stock that includes the most commonly used ferrous and nonferrous sheet, pipe and structural steel.
Chapman's engineers and draftsmen can design your next new construction or renovation project in their state-of-the-art CAD/CAM Center. An advantage to using Chapman's CAD capabilities is that the same draftsmen responsible for the engineering drawings are also assigned to design the fabrication details. In this manner, the draftsmen can include information required for erection such as hangers, elevations or locations off columns or coordinates as well as fabrication details simultaneously. This process eliminates the need for costly redraws as well as possible installation problems.
Following reviews of either customer or Chapman-originated ISO and vendor drawings, our draftsmen can "field verify" them if necessary for the most cost-effective fabrication and accuracy as well as check for interference and areas in which to minimize field welds. Changes are also noted on interference locations such as ducts, conduit banks or steel columns. Revisions are then recommended with the approval of the customer's engineer before Chapman issues "Released for Fabrication" drawings.
 CAD’s Role Extended
Chapman has extended CAD's role in the engineering field and has utilized its capabilities in the manufacturing environment. Data is electronically transferred from the CAD terminal to an automated plasma arc cutter in the Fab Shop.
This computerized plasma arc cuts 5 by 10 foot sheets up to one inch thick and facilitates the precise nesting of complex shapes which results in reduced layout time, maximization of materials, repeatable quality, and, ultimately, reduced customer costs.
CAD information is also used to develop layout labels, job summaries, and a variety of lists for shipping, joint and angle frames, accessories, straight duct and others for the accounting of all shop fabricated items.
Veteran Work Force
Chapman Corporation holds the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) "PP", "U" and "S" stamps, and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors' "R" and "NB" stamps. Weld procedures are qualified routinely for stainless and carbon alloys as well as nickel-or-cobalt-based super alloys and dissimilar metal welds. Chapman's veteran work force utilizes Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) and Flux Core Arc (FCAW) weld processes at its work stations.
Chapman's shop is fully equipped with a variety of machine tools for tight tolerances and excellence in cutting, bending, forming, fitting, tacking, welding or brazing. There are automated cutting systems for pipe and special shapes, hydraulic shears, power rolls, a 175 ton press brake, a 100 ton punch and shearer for performing multiple operations, automatic positioners for pipe bore up to 36 inches, dual feed MIG guns, and victaulic roll grooving from 1-1/2 to 16 inches.
Indoor Sandblast / Paint Facilities Allow Year-Round Applications
 Chapman's enclosed indoor 2,400 square foot painting facility can also handle various coating applications year-round. Our painters are experienced in various industrial coatings - epoxies, zincs, urethanes, polyurethanes and coal tar epoxies. Also indoors is a 1,400 square foot sandblasting area as well as over 40,000 square feet of storage and staging space.
Chapman goes the "extra mile" in providing an efficient and virtually error-free assembly in the field that includes installation drawings or color-coded pipe by areas as well as lifting lugs on every large assembly for ease in handling and installing.
Transportation Fleet
 Additionally, you can count on Chapman for transporting your fabricated materials safely, efficiently and on-time to your site aboard our own fleet of trucks, box trucks, tractor trailers and flat beds or service from all major common carriers.
Proud of Our Fab Shop Union Affiliations
Chapman’s Pipe Fab Shop is a United Association (UA) union label shop signatory to the National Commercial Pipe Fabrication Shop Agreement. Our Pipe Fab Shop is also certified to fabricate fiberglass piping to ANSI B31.3. We are also associated with the Sheet Metal Workers Local #12 of Western Pennsylvania (SMWIA) and a member of SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors of North America. |
