TPT January 2024

TECHNOLOGY

Production of tube mills for the solar

energy industry OFFICINE MTM is a global tube mill manufacturer, which prides itself on its design, quality and reliability. With 50 years of expertise and a commitment to meeting ever changing industry demands, MTM has recently completed its third dedicated tube mill for producing sector tubes for the solar industry. The line, model MTM 120 CS W HF, will soon be delivered to and installed in the US. This achievement marks another step forward for MTM’s mission to advance a sustainable and eco-friendly future. The tube production line covers a range of outer diameters from 38.1mm (1.5") to 127mm (5") and a maximum thickness of 6.35mm (0.25"). The tubes produced by the MTM 120 CS W HF have a distinctive octagonal shape, serving as advanced, high tech components for solar photovoltaic

MTM has recently completed its third tube mill for the solar industry

solutions to its clients and is ready to see this number grow in the next few years. The company states that it has sustainability at the heart its everyday practices from employee engagement to local supplier sourcing and social responsibility within the local community.

brackets. These brackets play a central role in optimising energy generation by precisely aligning solar panels with the sun’s path. This solution enhances structural stability, simplifies mounting and installation and offers design flexibility for various applications. With three lines installed in just five years within the solar industry Officine MTM has proved his commitment in promoting innovative and sustainable

Officine MTM www.mtm-group.eu

Efficient drawing preparation for every type of tube ECONOMICAL tube drawing requires a technically perfect and equally economical pointing process. The pointing system should be flexibly tailored to the tube geometries and requirements, so that the shape of the drawing tang provides optimum conditions for both solid clamping of the tang and gentle insertion into the drawing die. Both requirements are possible when using Bültmann hybrid pointing systems. These include two pointing processes in one machine – folding tag forming and push-pointing. This well-established technology, based on combined Bültmann tube pointing machine, type HAM/PH, has been specifically developed to handle the increased requirements associated with the pointing of tubes. Due to the combination of both proven pointing methods – folding tag forming and push-pointing – integrated in one machine it is possible to point tubes with small wall thickness as well as tubes with a larger one (ratio > 1:10) in one working station. As this machine type requires very little space it is suited to retrofitting into an existing line. The simple technical concept also offers cost benefits as only one machine for this application has to be purchased instead of two.

The machine requires very little space so it is suited to retrofitting into an existing production line

Low noise emissions, as well as optimal ergonomics due to the use of tool changing devices, are additional advantages of the system. The modular design of the push-pointer modules also makes it possible to retrofit on site already existing folding tag machines with this add-on, so that a state-of-the-art pointing system can be used with a lower investment.

Bültmann GmbH www.bueltmann.com

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JANUARY 2024