---
title: Pipe Welding
description: "A **Pipe** weld is a specialised node for welding circular profiles such as pipe joints. Select **Pipe** on the SmoothTool X start page to add a template pre-configured with a circular segment extended to a full 360-degree circle. ## How…"
url: "https://hub.smooth-robotics.com/docs/usage-guides-pipe/"
updated: "2026-09-23"
category: Usage Guides / Templates
---

# Pipe Welding

A **Pipe** weld is a specialised node for welding circular profiles such as pipe joints. Select **Pipe** on the SmoothTool X start page to add a template pre-configured with a circular segment extended to a full 360-degree circle.

## How It Works

The Pipe node is structured identically to a General Weld — an **Airpoint** (Approach), a **Weld Seam** holding the circular path segment, and an **Airpoint** (Exit) — but the path is pre-set as a full-circle arc. You only need to teach the **Weld Seam**, a **via point**, and an **end point**; SmoothTool X automatically computes the complete 360-degree loop.

 ![Pipe template in the program tree with the circular segment](https://hub.smooth-robotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/manual-usage-guides-pipe-pipe-tree.webp)

## Teaching a Pipe Weld

Once you have inserted the Pipe template into the program tree, you can teach the entire program using the programming flange by enabling **Flange Mode**. While in Flange Mode, the options available at each step are shown in the guide at the bottom of the screen.

1. Teach the **Airpoint** (Approach): move the robot to a safe position near the pipe and register the point.
2. Teach the **Weld Seam**: position the torch where welding should begin on the pipe circumference.
3. Teach the **circular via point**: move the torch to a point roughly halfway around the pipe.
4. Teach the **circular end point**: this completes the circle definition. SmoothTool X calculates the full 360-degree arc automatically.
5. Teach the **Airpoint** (Exit): move the robot to a safe retract position.

## Exit Point Placement

Important

Because the pipe weld ends exactly where it started, the **Exit** point must be set relative to the **Weld Seam** position — not relative to the taught end point of the arc.

Set your exit point by moving away from the **Weld Seam** position to avoid the torch re-entering the workpiece after the arc extinguishes.

## Weld Parameters

Pipe welds use the same parameters as General Welds — Travel Speed, End Blend, Stickout Offset, Angles, Weaving, and Slope. See the [General Weld](/docs/usage-guides-general-weld/) guide for a full description of each parameter.