TPT January 2025

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

ISSN 0953-2366

JANUARY 2025

VOL 38 NO 1

US$33

Thinking Outside the Box

ThermaView ™ Software

HAZControl ™ Technology

WeldXpert ™ Software

WeldMetric ™ Platform

Thermatool+ Customer Portal

THERMATOOL.COM

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

ISSN 0953-2366

JANUARY 2025

VOL 38 NO 1

US$33

Thinking Outside the Box

ThermaView ™ Software

HAZControl ™ Technology

WeldXpert ™ Software

WeldMetric ™ Platform

Thermatool+ Customer Portal

THERMATOOL.COM

max

min

1 - 3 Measurement axes

12 Min. object diameter (µm)

520 Max. object diameter (mm)

up to 3000 Scan rate (scans/s)

ODAC® Laser Measuring Head For Accurate and Reliable Measurment of Diameter, Ovality, Roundness, Width and Height of Tubes & Pipes, even in the Harshest of Environments

Benefits:

Utilizes cutting-edge optics and laser scan technology providing an exceptionally high sampling rate Practically unrivalled measuring accuracy Reliable measurements in even the harshest of environments (oil, dust, steam etc.) Easy to handle and is almost maintenance free Big installation flexibility of 1, 2 and 3 axis gauges for products as small as ø 0.012 mm – 520 mm

Zumbach Electronic AG | Hauptstrasse 93 | 2552 Orpund | Schweiz Telefon: +41 (0)32 356 04 00 | Fax: +41 (0)32 356 04 30 | sales@zumbach.ch | www.zumbach.com

INDEX Editorial

American Society of Mechanical Engineers.................................47 BLM Group.....................................................................................8 Bültmann GmbH..........................................................................29 Cemsa International Srl...............................................................22 CILT UK........................................................................................33 Combilift.................................................................................31, 35 Cooney Marine International Ltd..................................................10 Danfoss Power Solutions.............................................................32 Danieli Centro Tube.....................................................................12 ENRX........................................................................................... 24 euroTECH Handling GmbH.........................................................33 Fives. ........................................................................................... 21 Fluxtrol......................................................................................... 41 GlobalData................................................................................... 48 Graebener Maschinentechnik GmbH & Co KG...........................26 Inductotherm Group.......................................................................9 KASTO Ltd.............................................................................25, 38 KASTO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co KG......................................30 Linsinger Maschinenbau GmbH...................................................36

Magnetic Analysis Corporation..............................................14, 28 Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.............................................................20 Moreschi Srl.................................................................................43 Nukon Lasers UK.........................................................................40 Numalliance................................................................................. 26 PipeSense.................................................................................... 46 Rädlinger primus line GmbH........................................................51 SKZ.............................................................................................. 50 SL-Laser GmbH...........................................................................42 SSAB. .......................................................................................... 50 STHEMMA Srl..............................................................................37 Syensqo....................................................................................... 49 Tata Steel.....................................................................................12 TechnipFMC................................................................................. 46 Unison Tube LLC.........................................................................17 Violi Macchine..............................................................................23 WITT-Gasetechnik GmbH & Co KG.............................................41 Zekelman Industries.....................................................................47 Zumbach Electronic AG...............................................................19

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JANUARY 2025

TUBES IN LAYER

SEAMLESS TUBE

Cutting

Cutting

STEEL BILLETS AND SINGLE TUBES

TUBE CUT-OFF MACHINE RTM

COUPLING PRODUCTION

Tube Cut-Off

Tube Cut-Off

MULTICUT TUBE CUT-OFF MACHINE

CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TUBE MILLS

LONGITUDINAL SEAM TUBE

Tube Cut-Off

TUBE CUT-OFF MACHINE TRAVELLING MULTI-CUT

www.linsinger.com

CONTENTS

Editor

Rory McBride

Design & production

Lisa Wright

Sales & marketing

Jason Smith UK, Italy, USA, Canada, India & ROW jason@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 834684 Linda Li Asia 亚洲 linda@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 834685

2 Editorial index 8 Industry news 9 Diary of tube events 22 Technology news

Advertising co-ordinator

Liz Hughes

Subscriptions

Louise Jennings

Accounts manager

Louise Jennings

Web Design/Developer

Andrew Barnes

Social Media Administrator Milly Harrison

Founder

John C Hogg

28 Handling, bundling, packaging & logistics 36 Cutting technology, sawing & saw blades 60 Advertisers index

All rights reserved – © Intras Ltd ISSN 0953-2366

Published by Intras Ltd Unit 32, Tangent Business Hub,

Shirebrook, Nottinghamshire NG20 8RX UK Tel: +44 1926 334137 • Fax: +44 1926 314755 Email: tpt@intras.co.uk • Website: www.read-tpt.com

Intras USA Danbury Corporate Center, 107 Mill Plain Road, Danbury CT 06811, USA Tel: +1 203 794 0444 • Email: doug@intras.co.uk

45 Tube Products INTERNATIONAL www.read-tpi.com The trade magazine for tube and pipe products www.read-tpi.com January 2025

This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. Tube & Pipe Technology reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Tube & Pipe Technology expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this disclaimer are governed by the laws of England. US Copies only: Tube & Pipe Technology (ISSN No: 0953-2366, USPS No: 023-507) is published six times a year: January, March, May, July, September and November by Intras Ltd and distributed in the USA by Asendia USA, 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Tube & Pipe Technology, 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA 19032.

January issue • Business & market news • German manufacturer offers a flexible and durable solution for temporary surface pipelines in extreme environments

Photo credit: Benteler Steel Tube

ARTICLES

54

Knowledge is power: keeping the hot rolling process in check while making steel tubes By Alain Saint-Louis, strategic account director, Tecnar Automation Smart building: a tour of the futuristic Murata Manufacturing Innovation Center where pipe sensors are produced By Haga and Yamamoto from Murata Manufacturing

Tube & Pipe Technology magazine is available in print and online. Go to www.read-tpt.com for more information.

56

The Professional Publishers Association Member

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

The January Issue Welcome to the latest issue of

January 2025 Vol 38 No 1

Tube & Pipe Technology magazine. I'd like to wish all of our readers a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2025. This year it will be interesting to see how artificial intelligence begins to influence

Rory McBride – Editor

28

the tube and pipe industry. During 2024 I noticed a surge in interest in automation as companies looked to fill skills gaps and improve safety in their working environments. On page 25 of TPT, Violi Macchine discusses its automatic tube feeding innovations; and on pages 28 and 40 of our cutting feature you can read about automatic cleaning of laser nozzles from Nukon Lasers UK; and automated storage solutions from KASTO. This time of year sees the return of the first major trade events: Tube India; Global Industrie 2025 in France; and Valve World 2024 in Germany. The March issue will also be winging its way to a number of important trade shows, such as Lamiera 2025 and Made in Steel 2025 in Italy; and Tube Eurasia 2025 in Turkey. In the next issue we have features on tube inspection, testing & quality control and advances in measuring & marking. The Tube Products INTERNATIONAL focus is on steel & stainless steel pipes and fittings, valves, flanges & connectors. If you would like to submit editorial for the forthcoming March 2025 issue of the magazine you can contact me at: rory@intras.co.uk. The deadline for the issue is 3 February. I hope you enjoy the magazine.

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On the cover . . . Thermatool Corp, an Inductotherm Group Company, is a worldwide leader in high frequency solid-state induction welding for tube and pipe applications. From API to spirally wound fin tube to engineered structural sections, Thermatool’s innovations consistently push the limits on design and implementation of HF welded products. These improvements have enabled Thermatool to demonstrate excellence in efficiency, weld quality and welding process.

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

JANUARY 2025

VOL 38 NO 1

US$33

ISSN 0953-2366

Thinking Outside the Box

26

ThermaView ™ Software

HAZControl ™ Technology

WeldXpert ™ Software

WeldMetric ™ Platform

Thermatool+ Customer Portal

THERMATOOL.COM

Thermatool Corp is a global supplier with local manufacturing, service and research centres to support its broad customer base. Thermatool is built on the quality of its engineering and the strength of its service. Thermatool Corp offers product and process knowledge compiled over decades of developing new systems and innovative approaches to exceeding product requirements. Services include comprehensive process development and metallurgical capabilities, complete engineering design and equipment manufacturing, a research and development centre, customer training and an aftermarket support and service group.

INDUSTRY

The companies will collaborate on laser cutting and tube bending systems and plasma and waterjet cutting products and software

Strategic partnership between tube cutting, bending and software companies HYPERTHERM Associates and BLM Group have announced a strategic partnership agreement

equipment and erect wind turbines. In addition to cutting systems, the company creates CNCs and software trusted for performance and reliability that result in increased productivity and profitability for hundreds of thousands of businesses. Founded in 1968, Hypertherm Associates is a 100 per cent associate-owned company, employing approximately 2,000 people, with operations and partner representation worldwide. BLM Group is a multinational group with headquarters in Italy and a leader in the production of machine tools for metalworking. Founded in 1960, it proposes itself as a global partner for the entire tube and sheet metal processing process, with a widespread presence all over the world and with thousands of customers and applications. BLM Group prides itself on the quality and specialisation of its workers and technological research.

each company to maintain its current leadership structure, operations and other strategic priorities, while allowing for continuous innovation and consistent operational management. BLM Group has a proud legacy as a global family owned company, with its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Cantù and Levico Terme, Italy. Hypertherm Associates is a 100 per cent employee-owned company based in the US, with plasma manufacturing facilities in New Hampshire, waterjet manufacturing in Minnesota and Washington and laser consumables manufacturing in Sasso Marconi, Italy. This strategic agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration that aims to elevate industry standards and create sustainable value for both companies and their customers. Hypertherm Associates’ products, including Hypertherm plasma and OMAX waterjet systems, are used by companies around the world to build ships, airplanes and railcars; construct steel buildings, fabricate heavy

aimed at expanding the market reach of their respective products. They will collaborate to offer solutions to customers through BLM Group’s laser cutting and tube bending systems and Hypertherm Associates’ plasma and waterjet cutting products and software. The partnership includes a minority stake investment in BLM Group by Hypertherm Associates and a commercial agreement to expand the demand generation for BLM Group’s tube bending and pipe and plate cutting systems, as well as 3D robotics systems in North America and Europe. The combination of BLM Group’s expertise in laser cutting technology and Hypertherm Associates’ experience in integrated solutions presents a significant opportunity for both companies to strengthen customer relationships and respond to the needs of the market. The strategic partnership allows

BLM Group www.blmgroup.com

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DIARY OF EVENTS

New era for Inductotherm Group as it introduces experienced leadership duo

2025

13-16 January SteelFab Sharjah, UAE www.steelfabme.com

innovative induction technologies and exceptional value to our customers. We are confident that their leadership will drive our company to new heights.” “As co-leaders, Mr Nallen and Mr Prabhu will carry on our founder’s legacy of emphasising the importance of responsive customer service delivered by a reliable company, which can react quickly without compromising good decision making. “They will work closely to develop and implement strategies that enhance our product offerings, expand our global teams’ local presence and reinforce our commitment to excellence in the thermal processing industry. Their leadership will ensure that Inductotherm Group continues to thrive and evolve in a rapidly changing market,” she added. Inductotherm Group offers advanced technology for the engineering, manufacturing and service of thermal processing equipment used in the melting, heat treating, forging, galvanising, coating, cutting and welding of metals. Bringing together 40 companies with 38 manufacturing facilities located in 21 countries, Inductotherm Group delivers innovative products globally. Customers rely on Inductotherm, Inductoheat, Thermatool, Radyne, Consarc and other trusted brands in the Inductotherm Group to provide outstanding equipment and services.

INDUCTOTHERM Group has appointed Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu as co-leaders. This move is part of the company’s strategic commitment to fostering innovative leadership and ensuring the continued success of the company. Mr Nallen, a veteran of the industry with 32 years at Inductotherm Group, has a track record of driving operational excellence and strategic growth in North America and the Asia Pacific region. “The fundamentals of our organisation still hold true today. We are entrepreneurial at heart. We are responsive. But, most importantly, we are customer-driven,” said Mr Nallen. Mr Prabhu, a seasoned industry veteran with 37 years at Inductotherm Group, brings vast experience in fostering the exchange of best practices and induction technologies across group companies, significantly bolstering the global strength of the organisation. Mr Prabhu said: “To effectively serve our customers, Inductotherm Group maintains a global, yet locally responsive presence, leveraging manufacturing facilities in multiple countries alongside local sales and service teams to deliver swift and reliable support.” “We are extremely pleased to have Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu take on the roles of co-leaders,” said Virginia Rowan Smith, chairman of Inductotherm Group. “Their combined experience and forward-thinking approach are perfectly aligned with our mission to deliver

11-13 February Tube Mexico Monterrey, Mexico https://wire-tube-mexico.com 11-14 March Global Industrie Lyon, France www.global-industrie.com

9-12 April Tube Eurasia Istabul, Turkey www.tube-eurasia.com 6-9 May Lamiera Milan, Italy www.lamiera.net 6-8 May Made In Steel Milan, Italy www.madeinsteel.it

10-12 May China (Guangzhou) International Metal & Metallurgy Exhibition Guangzhou, China www.julang.com.cn

Inductotherm Group www.inductothermgroup.com

8-11 September FABTECH Chicago, IL, USA www.fabtechexpo.com 10-11 September UK Metals Expo Birmingham, UK www.ukmetalsexpo.com

Mick Nallen

Satyen Prabhu

17-19 September Tube Southeast Asia Bangkok, Thailand www.tube-southeastasia.com

All shows are correct at the time of going to print, but are subject to change. Please check to ensure the event is going ahead

www.read-tpt.com

INDUSTRY

Museum showcases tube bending technology THE Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London, UK this year featured a Christmas sculpture designed by pop artist Anna Lomax entitled ‘All Lit Up!’. It is a dazzling 5m high installation crafted from precision-engineered stainless steel tubing. of an evergreen conifer and the strength of the columns in the museum’s historic dome with meticulous cutting edge technology and ethereal play of light and shadow.

The industrial skill and expertise of Cooney Marine International of Kettering, UK was harnessed to create the artist’s design for the sculpture, transforming steel tubes into a fusion of manufacturing innovation and seasonal creativity. The tree’s defining feature – a smooth, decreasing spiral structure – was achieved using a unique three-dimensional tube bending machine available only in the UK at Cooney Marine. This advanced equipment, renowned for its ability to create freeform shapes for world-class marine applications, from precision mirror-polished handrails to luxury super-yacht quality and architectural projects, was essential in delivering the unconventional and seamless texture and design. Cooney Marine specialises in CNC tube bending and fabrication using conventional and unconventional methods with its Nissin freeform bending machines. James Cooney, MD of Cooney Marine International Ltd, said: “We were really pleased when we were contacted to be part of the project. We have been involved in several stainless steel sculptures before, but never anything like this. The design really showcases what we can do.”

The ambitious project combines innovative manufacturing techniques with creative artistry, resulting in a stunning centrepiece that reimagines the festive season in the V&A’s Cromwell Road entrance, blending the timeless silhouette

The tree’s defining feature was achieved using a unique three dimensional tube bending machine from Cooney Marine

Cooney Marine International Ltd www.cooneymarine.co.uk

SHIJIAZHUANG TENGDI MACHINERY CO., LTD.

37 years tube mill design experience.

MAIN PRODUCTS

Standard

Customized

Committed to providing reliable products and services to customers around the world.

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SST Forming Roll, Inc. 1318 Busch Parkway, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-4507 USA TEL: +1 (847) 215-6812 info@sstformingroll.com

Booth # 620 See us at

INDUSTRY

Coil slitter installed in Tata Steel’s UK tube mill proves its worth AS the new Tata Steel slitter passes 10,000 tonnes of coil processed, works manager, Andrew Ward, has explained the rationale behind the £7mn investment in Hartlepool, UK as well as its collaboration with its sister tube making site in Corby. Mr Ward said: “To produce the hot rolled coil as a substrate for our smaller diameter pipes, we’ve traditionally had to cut the slab in half lengthways in Port Talbot and roll a narrow slab on the hot mill. That impacts speed of work and the mill’s capacity, which was the main reason for the investment here.” The Port Talbot hot mill is the UK’s bottleneck unit, limited to rolling around 3 to 3.5 million tonnes of slab per year. The smaller size range makes up around 60,000 tonnes of Hartlepool’s order book. Mr Ward added: “Being able to slit wider coil here allows the Port Talbot hot strip mill to increase its capacity by around 50,000 tonnes – the benefit is in the millions of pounds. There are additional yield and quality benefits and potential reductions in energy with an increased ability to hot connect (roll slabs that have retained much of their heat from being cast rather than heat up from cold). “It has been a big learning curve as we’ve installed the machine ourselves. We have spent time at Corby where they have multiple slitting lines – their experience has been invaluable. There has been some really good sharing and learning: we’ve been there, they have visited here, and we’ve seen real improvements. Since summer shutdown we’ve seen a real step change in performance,” he said. “Cleaning up the quality of the edge really makes a difference on the fracture toughness performance and mechanical properties of the weld line in our high frequency weld process. “Now we have to carefully manage the transition over the next few years, but this investment has become critical as

The Tata Steel slitter has processed 10,000 tonnes of coil

many overseas suppliers don’t want to supply coil less than 1,000mm wide. We’ve designed it to be one of the widest, thickest slitting lines in the UK, so its massively important until the electric arc furnace comes online. “We have customers specifying low CO 2 ‘green’ steels from us on particular jobs. They are driving us to demonstrate that we are reducing our CO 2 impact – some are prepared to pay more for that demonstration of green steel capability. If we don’t do something we’ll get left behind. “I’m excited about the future here – we’re a multi-functional, multi-operational multi-product business, which enables us to ride different waves of demands. We’ve worked hard to develop new products and the mill is busy. We’ve had support to improve and invest in quality, safety and productivity,” he concluded. In October 2024, Tata Steel ceased ironmaking at its Port Talbot, Wales site and temporarily paused steelmaking pending the construction of an electric arc furnace, due to be commissioned in late in 2027 or early 2028. For that period, the business will import slab and hot rolled coil to support manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and UAE.

Tata Steel www.tatasteeluk.com Danieli Centro Tube technology for ERW mills

sections, with wall thicknesses up to 3 /

NUCOR Tubular Products Marseilles has awarded Danieli Centro Tube a contract for a new orbital cut-off saw for the existing 5K-ERW mill in Marseilles, Illinois, USA. The new orbital cut-off saw will cut to length welded tubes up to OD 6 5 / 8 " (168mm) and equivalent square and rectangular

8 " (9.5mm) at speeds up

to 460fpm (140m/min). The high speed and cut-to-length performances are obtained thanks to a reduced weight of the moving parts and a powerful, ultra-precise traveling system on the cutting head car. The new orbital cut-off saw replaces the existing friction saw, with the main target to improve the cutting quality and eliminate the current cutting burrs. The equipment features cutting-to-length optimisation to minimise scrap tube lengths, a fully automatic set-up, a reduced number of jaws and easy maintenance. In addition, the new cut-off is designed to fit the existing foundations without any major modifications. The start-up is foreseen by the end of Summer 2025.

The new orbital cut-off saw replaces the existing friction saw, with the main target to improve the cutting quality

Danieli Centro Tube www.danieli.com

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MAJOR PRODUCT: HIGH STRENGTH AND PRECISION STRAIGHT-SEAM WELDED PIPE MILL LINE WELDED SQUARE AND RECTANGULAR PIPE DIRECT-FORMING MILL LINE HIGH SPEED AND HIGH PRECISION SLITTING LINE

Add: Cross of Xinzhao Road and Shiji Road, R-1202 No.707, Lianmeng Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China Website: www.kdsz.cc E-mail: info@hebeisz.com Tel: +86 311-85028506 Add: R-1202 No.707, Lianmeng Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China Website: www.kdsz.cc E-mail: info@hebeisz.com Tel: +86 311-85028506

INDUSTRY

Magnetic Analysis Corporation launches Indian tube and bar subsidiary

in MAC’s mission to collaborate with Indian producers and fabricators of tube, bar wire and parts serving industries such as oil country tubular goods (OCTG), aerospace, medical, automotive and infrastructure. MAIPL’s seamless support at every step – from consultation to installation – ensures these sectors have access to the latest in NDT innovation. Leading this new venture is Parag Nag, business development leader, with over 30 years of experience in India’s NDT industry. “MAIPL will enable the team here to better serve our customers, provide innovative solutions and contribute to the growth and development of the Indian market,” said Mr Nag said. Under his leadership, MAIPL will offer MAC’s full portfolio of advanced NDT equipment and custom systems, including solutions in eddy current, ultrasonic testing, magnetic flux leakage and phased array ultrasonic testing. This broad product range ensures that Indian manufacturers can access the most reliable, cutting-edge testing solutions available. MAC’s expansion into India reflects its legacy of innovation, precision and customer-centric service. The company remains focused on quality, collaboration and providing tailored solutions.

MAGNETIC Analysis Corporation (MAC ® ), which has developed non-destructive testing (NDT) for more than 95 years, has launched its new subsidiary, Magnetic Analysis India Private Limited (MAIPL). This expansion highlights MAC’s commitment to supporting India’s industrial growth by providing localised, high quality testing solutions and customer service. The establishment of MAIPL marks a significant milestone Leading this new venture is Parag Nag, business development leader, with over 30 years of experience in India’s NDT industry

Magnetic Analysis Corporation www.mac-ndt.com

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INDUSTRY

The latest tube bending technologies at Tube Mexico

electric dual-stack models are available – a 50mm maximum tube diameter machine and a larger 80mm model. Both are equipped with Unison’s user friendly Unibend control as well as industry leading motors and drives. Visitors to the booth will also be able to discover more about the wire and small diameter tube and bar bending machines from Unison’s sister company, Pneuform Machines Ltd. Unison Ltd acquired Pneuform – a leading name in the manufacture of wire forming machines in the fall of 2023 – and has been working hard to ensure the brand continues to innovate the wire bending machinery market. As standard, all Pneuform machines are equipped with Yaskawa drives and Unison’s user friendly software for easy programming and operation. “We’re looking forward to attending Tube & wire Mexico,” said Stuart

UNISON Tube LLC, the North American division of UK-based Unison Ltd, will be presenting its full range of all-electric and hybrid-electric tube bending machines at booth 511, Wire & Tube Mexico from 11 to 13 February 2025. Unison invented ultra-precise, all electric tube manipulation and offers all-electric benders for diameters from 4mm to 275mm. Available in single stack, multi-stack, left/right, pinball and twinhead versions, Unison’s advanced all-electric machines provide rapid automatic setup, fast tooling changes and right-first-time repeatability – all supported by exceptional power and rigid mechanical design. Unison’s hybrid-electric range of tube benders was developed to make the company’s quality and reliability accessible to more subcontractors and workshops involved in tube manipulation. Currently, two hybrid

Pneuform PF-6600 bending machine from Unison Tube LLC

Singleton, vice president of US-based Unison Tube LLC. “Visitors to our booth will not only be able to find out about Unison’s incredible tube bending machines and Pneuform’s exceptional wire and small-bore tube bending technologies. “They’ll also be able to learn about the latest advances in Unison’s Unibend CNC, tube bending software and tube bending application app.”

Unison Tube LLC www.unisonltd.com

Speeding up tube and pipe production The Weldac is not like any other welder. Unrivalled energy efficiency and un matched performance make it a standout choice. It has automatic load matching for hassle-free operation. Short-circuit-proof, safe and reliable operation means more uptime, which again translates to more output. And, for further peace of mind: The advanced inverter technology is covered by a 5-year warranty.

Choose from a wide power range, from 50 kW to 2200 kW, with a single-cabinet option up to 1100 kW. Visit enrx.com to learn more.

THE RIGHT ENERGY CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE | ENRX.COM

INDUSTRY

Improving quality in steel tubing for

nuclear power stations STEEL tubing is an essential component in the infrastructure of nuclear power stations. These tubes are used in various critical applications, including the transportation of coolant, steam and other fluids necessary for the reactor’s safe operation. In cooling systems, tubing is used to circulate coolant to dissipate heat generated during nuclear fission, preventing the reactor from overheating. Tubes are also used to transport steam from the reactor to turbines, converting thermal energy into electrical energy, and are also used to house and protect sensitive instrumentation that monitors reactor conditions, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection. Given the extreme conditions within a nuclear reactor, the quality and reliability of these tubes are paramount. Within a nuclear power station, steel tubing must be able to withstand high temperatures, pressure and radiation. The tubes are often exposed to corrosive environments, especially when used in cooling systems that utilise seawater. Therefore, the materials used must be highly resistant to corrosion and capable of maintaining structural integrity under stress. Stainless steel, particularly austenitic stainless steel, is commonly used due to its excellent corrosion resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures. Grades such as 304L and 316L are frequently employed within nuclear applications. These materials ensure that the tubes can perform reliably over long periods, reducing the risk of failures that could lead to catastrophic consequences. To meet the stringent quality requirements of nuclear power stations, manufacturers rely on advanced measurement and control systems in the production of steel tubing, and as a global leader in non-contact measuring technologies, Zumbach Electronic offers a range of products including the ODAC ® and USYS that play a crucial role in this process. The high performing ODAC ® laser measuring heads utilise the very latest laser technology to measure the diameter and ovality of steel tubes with exceptionally high accuracy and reliability. These non-contact measuring devices can detect even the smallest deviations from specified dimensions, ensuring that each tube meets the required standard, and can be used in almost every harsh environment. ODAC ® ’s are exceptionally durable and offer virtually maintenance-free operation even where there is the presence of oil, steam and dust in the atmosphere. The high scan rates and accuracy of ODAC ® systems make them ideal for in-line measurements during production, allowing for real-time quality control. The USYS processor complements the ODAC ® by providing comprehensive data acquisition, processing and display capabilities, as well as linking to higher level systems. USYS collects data from the ODAC ® measuring heads (as well as other measuring devices offered by Zumbach Electronic), processing it to provide reports and detailed insights into the manufacturing process. This real-time data allows tubing manufacturers to make immediate adjustments, improving both the quality and efficiency of the production.

The integration of Zumbach ODAC ® and USYS systems in the production of steel tubing offers: • Enhanced quality control: continuous monitoring and precise measurements ensure that each tube meets the highest quality, reducing the risk of defects. • Increased efficiency: real-time data processing and feedback enable manufacturers to optimise production processes, reducing waste and improving throughput. • Cost savings: by minimising defects and optimising production, tubing manufacturers can reduce costs associated with rework and material waste. • Compliance with standards: Zumbach systems help manufacturers comply with stringent industry standards, ensuring that the steel tubing manufactured for use in nuclear power stations is safe and reliable. Zumbach Electronic AG www.zumbach.com To meet the stringent quality requirements of nuclear power stations, manufacturers rely on advanced measurement and control systems in the production of steel tubing

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INDUSTRY

Global collaboration for tube and wire Eurasia 2025

15,000 industry professionals from around 400 companies. The two fairs will present wires, cables, pipes, tubes, profiles, steel production and specialised technologies, bringing together all stakeholders of the metal industry under one roof. They are expected to attract industry professionals from all over the world, mainly from European nations, as a result of the synergy established by the collaboration of two major fair companies. İlhan Ersözlü, general manager of Tüyap Fairs Production Inc, said: “We aim to maximise our country’s potential in the pipes, profiles, steel, wire and cable industries through this collaboration, which combines our 45-year fair experience with the strength of Messe Düsseldorf in Europe.” Messe Düsseldorf executive director Bernd Jablonowski added: “After deciding to work together to combine the

WIRE Eurasia, co-located with Tube Eurasia, will be held from 9 to 12 April 2025 at Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Istanbul, Turkey. The event will be a collaboration between Turkish fair company Tüyap Exhibitions Group and Germany’s international fair company Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. The combined events will feature thousands of products under the headings of iron, steel, pipes, cables and wires. The two shows were launched in 2019 as the WireTech and Tube & Steel Istanbul Fairs and expanded their worldwide reach through the collaboration with Messe Düsseldorf in 2023, then being renamed wire Eurasia and Tube Eurasia. The last edition of the fairs brought together 320 exhibitors and more than 10,000 buyers. For 2025, the aim is to become a broader sales and marketing platform, connecting with more than

Tube Eurasia is taking place in Istanbul

experience in fair organisation of Tüyap Fair with Messe Düsseldorf’s strength in Europe, we had a successful premiere at wire and Tube Eurasia. Our aim is to take this success one step further in 2025.”

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.tube-eurasia.com

ARRIVALs Landing at an exhibition near you…

SteelFab

800-457-7468 • peaktoolworks.com North America’s largest manufacturer of engineered diamond and carbide cutting tools.

13th-16th January 2025 Sharjah, UAE

Stand: Press Stand

Global Industrie 11th-14th March 2025 Lyon, France

Stand: Press Stand

Tube Eurasia 9th-12th April 2025 Istanbul, Turkey

Stand: TBC

Lamiera 6th-9th May 2025 Milan, Italy

Stand: TBC

Made in Steel 6th-8th May 2025 Milan, Italy

Stand: TBC

www.read-tpt.com – www.read-tpi.com

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JANUARY 2025

INDUSTRY

A solution for decarbonising combustion LYFE, which is a pioneer in the production of green and renewable hydrogen, and Fives, a leader in industrial combustion, have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide a complete decarbonised offer for industry, from hydrogen production to combustion. the metals, glass and cement industries and some selected industrial heating processes and applications in Europe and North America.

Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, said: “We are in a pivotal period in the industrial sector and industrial combustion. After several years of development, hydrogen solutions are now mature and available. We are proud and delighted to sign this agreement with a company such as Fives, which is helping to accelerate energy transition in the glass, cement and metals industries, thanks to turnkey solutions for their processes.” Frédéric Thrum, deputy general manager of Fives and president of the energy division, said: “As a pioneer in decarbonisation, Fives supports industrial companies in their energy transition, in particular their switch to hydrogen. Our unique and innovative combustion systems are developed to reduce the environmental impact of our customers around the world. We are proud to be partnering with Lhyfe.”

Lhyfe is one of the world’s pioneers in the production of green and renewable hydrogen. It produces green and renewable hydrogen through the electrolysis of water, at production units powered by renewable energy. The company’s first site has already been operational since the second half of 2021 and two further sites were inaugurated in 2023. Several other sites are being built or extended across Europe. Fives is a leader in industrial engineering with more than 100 years of expertise in industrial combustion. The group has been a technological leader in hydrogen for over 50 years, developing cutting-edge technologies across the entire value chain. Under the ITAS, North American and Pillard ® brands, Fives offers a wide range of hydrogen proven burners available on the market to serve all industries.

This offer speeds up energy transition by facilitating the use of hydrogen in process industries, without needing to modify all the equipment. Lhyfe will produce and supply green hydrogen and Fives will provide optimised and safe solutions for its use in industrial combustion processes. In recent years, the combustion of hydrogen, which emits no CO 2 , has emerged as one of the most promising solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of industrial processes. For example, a secondary aluminium furnace that today produces 120 tons per day using natural gas would tomorrow reduce its annual CO 2 emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes with the use of hydrogen. Lhyfe and Fives will focus primarily on

Fives www.fivesgroup.com

DRAWING STRAIGHTENING PEELING

BARS TUBES PROFILES

Bültmann GmbH www.bueltmann.com

Contact us: +49 2394 180 info@bueltmann.com

TECHNOLOGY

Italian tube and pipe welding machines support the HVAC sector in the US

The initial contact between the two companies dates back to 2018, facilitated through collaboration with another Italian company. This led to the supply of welding machines for stainless steel components for flue pipes, with thickness of 1mm and leakproof welds tested with liquid penetrants. The first machine, delivered in 2019, exceeded expectations, prompting the US company to purchase ten additional machines over the next four years, with two machines deployed to each of its plants. In 2024, the customer had to face a new challenge: the existing machines were unsuitable for welding a new type of galvanised or aluminiumised sheet metal while meeting strict quality standards. Cemsa responded promptly with an innovative solution: the MRT F 2WR welding machine, specifically designed to process galvanised sheet metal with thickness of 1mm. This technology enables the welding of segmented elbows made of zinc or aluminium-zinc with variable diameters ranging from 250mm to 800mm (10" to 30") and thicknesses from 0.5mm to 1mm (24g to 18g). Thanks to a system that implies two copper wires in independent circuits to protect the welding wheels from the zinc impregnation effect and such to reduce the risks of roller breakage, results of the highest quality and productivity are guaranteed. The MRT F 2WR has proven effective not only in the HVAC sector, but also for automotive applications, such as welding fuel tanks. Liquid penetrant testing has certified perfectly sealed welds. Additionally, the integrated inverter allows for energy savings of up to 50 per cent compared to traditional solutions, making the production process more sustainable and eco-friendly. Collaboration with the US customer continues, with negotiations underway for the supply of four more machines, which will enable all five facilities to leverage Cemsa’s most advanced technologies.

CEMSA International is an Italian company that specialises in the design and manufacture of welding machines. It is known for delivering innovative and high quality solutions across various industrial sectors. For the past six years, a US-based multi-national in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) sector, with five production plants located in California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, and Pennsylvania, has relied on Cemsa to optimise the welding of its components.

Cemsa offers gas supplied welding machines for stainless steel components for flue pipes

Cemsa International Srl www.cemsa.it

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JANUARY 2025

TECHNOLOGY

Automated tube and pipe drawing and straightening technology

FOUNDED in 1992, Violi Macchine designs machinery for a variety of industries including precious metals recovery. Its technologies for tubes, wire and metal profiles are considered cutting-edge in national and international markets. When discussing tubes, wire and metal profiles, it is usual to refer to various processes including drawing, winding, straightening and cutting. Violi Macchine manufactures a wide range of machineries for these areas of the industry and is responsible for a number of important innovations. The standard hydraulic drawing bench that Violi manufactures is a machine that reduces the section of bars and tubes by passing the starting product through a calibrated die and pulling it with a mechanical clamp. The traction is in line with the drawing die and the machine maintains a constant drawing speed for the whole working stroke. The operator can vary the machine’s working speed before or during the drawing process. VM/TRI represents a full range of machines for the drawing of round tubes and rods or complex profiles, able to ensure high standards of quality. Manufactured with cutting edge technologies, carefully selected components and innovative design solutions covered by patents, the TRI drawing machines are fully PLC controlled both for working phases and safety protection. Each model can be equipped with an opposite bench for the use of anchored spindles.

continuous production cycles and meeting the high productivity and performance demands typically required of large industries. The plant is composed of independent unwinders with independent cutting units with clamps for wire cutting. Unique structure with double independent drawing pull with the possibility of drawing different diameters and lengths. This is a specialist system that allows the start of the drawing in a gradual manner thanks to the programming of power and speed. The ejection of tubes is fully automatic – they are deposited via pickup in adjacent side warehouses without any interruption of the cycle. All movements are carried out safely using sensors and metal barriers. All working data can be adjusted via the touch panel or by remote control. The logic of the plant, in addition to determining all processing parameters, has the possibility of entering recipes and being able to recall them as necessary. Violi also produces a wide range of straightening machines for wire, bars, round section tubes, square, rectangular and complex profiles. These machineries can be equipped with automatic loading and unloading abilities as required and with cutting edge fly cutting systems.

VM/KTF is a compact drawing bench for the working of tubes or rods or bars either round or with complex profiles with a maximum length of 1.5m. It features a tapering machine for the point of the tube. Starting from standard machinery, Violi develops plants for industrial companies following precise production requirements. Violi Macchine’s automatic drawing line allows automatic feeding, drawing and unloading of tubes. The system offers a hydraulic drawing bench with adjustable pulling power and length, with a front oscillating anchoring structure for easy feeding of the inner spindle. Drawn tubes are automatically unloaded in a side warehouse, ensuring

Violi Macchine’s automatic drawing line allows automatic feeding, drawing and unloading of tubes

Violi Macchine www.violimacchine.it

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JANUARY 2025

TECHNOLOGY

Power and efficiency for the modern tube and pipe industry

ENRX has integrated several features into the Compact Weldac to ensure reliability and ease of use. One of the most important is its short-circuit-proof design, which protects the generator from arcs, flashovers and direct shorts. This increases uptime and minimises maintenance needs. Additionally, the Compact Weldac features automatic electronic load matching, a feature often requested by operators that eliminates the need for manual adjustments, ensuring optimal power delivery across a variety of product types. This “set-and forget” capability suits operators of all experience levels. With a single-cabinet design, the Compact Weldac is easy to install, particularly in retrofit applications where space can be at a premium. This compactness reduces material consumption, making it a more

SINCE its debut in 2020, the ENRX Compact Weldac tube welder has proven a success in the tube and pipe industry, capturing attention for its efficiency and compact design. The tube welder takes advantage of the latest advancements in Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverter technology. The Compact Weldac is purpose-built to address industry needs for sustainability, ease of use and uptime. The result is a welder that helps global producers to stay productive. The Compact Weldac offers 91 per cent efficiency from mains to coil. With its SiC inverter technology, the Compact Weldac delivers higher welding output, lower operating costs and significant energy savings, thanks to its consistently high power-factor of 95 per cent at all power levels. With high power prices the Compact Weldac’s efficiency translates directly to savings.

The ENRX Compact Weldac tube welder

sustainable option than larger machines. The single-cabinet design not only simplifies installation but also supports ENRX’s commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of industrial equipment. Lower energy consumption, minimised raw material use and reduced cooling requirements all add to its appeal for manufacturers looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

ENRX www.enrx.com

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JANUARY 2025

TECHNOLOGY

Fully automated order picking in the steel tube and bar industry FEATURING nine million measuring points and ensuring a fully automated and secure grip: KASTO has introduced its KASTOpick tube and bar robot solution. This system can pick and deliver flat, square and round materials, as well as round and profile tubes, without the need for human intervention. The solution is available for new systems or for retrofitting existing storage systems.

For many years, manipulators, such as KASTOpick sheet, have been used to separate metal sheets neatly stacked on load carriers. However, handling a bar stock cassette with chaotic storage is considerably more difficult. Dealing with non-oriented objects is challenging because their position and arrangement are hard to predict. A complex recognition and adjustment process is required to grip and place the bars correctly. KASTO offers a smart solution for efficient separation: KASTOpick bar optimises the removal of magnetic bright and black steel in both new and existing warehouse systems. This solution allows users to remove and manipulate different bars from storage cassettes without the need for human intervention in three-shift operation. This system recognises and grips not only flat, square and round bars but also round and profile tubes. Users can conveniently link several production steps using this system. KASTOpick bar accomplishes two tasks: it picks the bar stock and prepares bundles for shipping or supplies individual bars for further processing on the saw. Another special feature is that there is no need for teach-in by the user. To start the process, KASTOpick bar moves a 3D sensor measuring probe over the storage cassette, which can be up to 6m in length. An algorithm developed by KASTO is used to process the 3D point cloud generated by this scan. The software analyses the data to identify the bar locations and potential gripping points for the robots. Only those points are considered that allow the machines to deposit the bar without causing a collision. This intelligent calculation of the travel path prevents the robots from colliding and the bar from striking an obstacle in its path.

After scanning, the two robot arms grip a metal bar or tube at the optimum attachment points

To perform this procedure, the software predicts the proposed movement and optimises the route to the target position. The process starts anew with the next scan. The gripper system separates and moves a variety of different formats. This makes the user more flexible in handling and processing steel. The flat, round and profile materials can also be wrapped or labelled. KASTOpick bar also communicates with the ERP system and the upstream and downstream machines to provide the right workpiece at the right time and location. It connects storage system, saws or strapping units. The software also ensures the bars are stacked in an ideal pattern based on dimensions and order volume, using individual bar manipulation. KASTOpick bar can position rectangular material so that it can be ideally formed into a bundle. In its standard version, the system can grip a bar weight of up to 500kg. Higher loads are also possible upon request. A wide range of grippers are available to provide customised solutions – depending on the shape of the objects to be moved. KASTOpick bar automatically selects the ideal gripper for the specific task to safely separate and transport the material. Thanks to the fully automated removal of bars from storage cassettes, the workload of employees is reduced. Employees no longer need to remove and transport heavy and cumbersome material manually or by crane. Companies can therefore reduce physical demands on employees, preventing injuries and accidents. With its intuitive interface, the KASTOpick bar is easy and efficient for operators to use without requiring extensive training or specialised technical knowledge. Following brief instructions, users can work efficiently and productively with the operator-friendly separation system.

KASTO www.kasto.com

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