TPT July 2012

Industry News

Schuler acquires large pipe expertise THE demand for large pipes for the construction of pipelines is currently growing. Schuler AG, Germany, has reacted to this trend and expanded its product spectrum to include turnkey systems solutions for the economic production of large pipes. This was made possible by the company’s acquisition of ATIS GmbH, an engineering firm specialising in this field. The respective contracts were signed in April. Schuler has more than 170 years of expertise in the field of metal forming, as well as extensive know-how in research and development, large equipment manufacturing, project processing, and global service network. ATIS will provide detailed knowledge of the planning, development, delivery and modernisation of complete pipe equipment and systems throughout the world. “This strong partnership offers numerous benefits for our customers,” said Jochen Früh, managing director of Schuler Pressen GmbH. Pipelines have to span huge distances across inhospitable terrains and are often exposed to extreme conditions. Temperatures well below freezing and

View of a spiral pipe plant

enormous pressures, such as on the seabed, exert huge loads on the pipes. At the same time, the pressure inside the pipes is being constantly raised in order to extend the distances of the transported materials. “The stability and absolute quality of the manufactured pipes is therefore all the more important,” explained Dietmar Rieser, managing director of ATIS. During their manufacture, pipes are carefully scrutinised using ultrasonic devices, X-rays and water pressure (with a hydrotester). There are two basic methods for the production process itself: “Large pipes are either welded together as spirals from a long metal coil or bent to an ‘O-shape’ with a longitudinal weld,” explained Manfred Wischnewski, managing director of Schuler SMG GmbH & Co KG. Spiral-shaped pipes can be manufactured in lengths of up to 24m, with

diameters of 450 to 3,500mm and wall thicknesses of 6 to25mm. The formingand welding stages can directly follow each other (online process). Longitudinal weld pipes with diameters of up to 1,625mm and wall thicknesses of up to 65mm are produced using either crimping presses, U-forming and O-forming presses, or equipment for the step forming process – such as Schuler’s Linear Feeding J-Press (LFJ press). Longitudinal weld pipes are usually produced in lengths of 12 or 18m. The new LFJ press can also produce lengths of up to 24m. A lower-priced alternative to stainless steel pipes, needed for the transport of aggressive or sensitive substances, are lined pipes – a combination of thin- walled stainless steel and conventional carrier pipes. They are produced using the hydroforming process during which the pipes are also sized. They can be produced in lengths of up to 12m and reach diameters of up to 530mm.

Schuler AG – Germany Fax: +49 7161 66 907 Website: www.schulergroup.com

ATIS GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 7555 927530

Email: info@atis-germany.de Website: www.atis-germany.de

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July 2012