TPT May 2024
The international magazine for the tube and pipe industry
The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries
ISSN 0953-2366
MAY 2024
VOL 37 NO 3
US$33
Thinking Outside the Box
ThermaView ™ Software
HAZControl ™ Technology
WeldXpert ™ Software
WeldMetric ™ Platform
Thermatool+ Customer Portal
THERMATOOL.COM
THE MAC EDGE ®
Test Welded Tube With The Robotic Echomac® PA TW System mac-ndt.com/ echomac-pa-tw-tester/
mac-ndt.com
The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries
ISSN 0953-2366
MAY 2024
VOL 37 NO 3
US$33
Thinking Outside the Box
ThermaView ™ Software
HAZControl ™ Technology
WeldXpert ™ Software
WeldMetric ™ Platform
Thermatool+ Customer Portal
THERMATOOL.COM
min
max
4 - 8 Number of cameras
5 Min. object diameter (mm)
720 Max. object diameter (mm)
PROFILEMASTER® SPS Profile Measuring System The PROFILEMASTER® SPS is a light section measuring device for measuring contours and dimensions on profiles of all kinds in cold and hot steel applications.
Benefits:
Highest measuring accuracy due to thermally stabilised measuring unit Surface defect detection based on intelligent software algorithms (Utilising machine learning) Detection of smallest defects due to high sampling rate Designed for measuring complex profiles from rebar’s to train rails Easy maintenance and quick cleaning thanks to proven concept
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
Mastercam................................................................................... 40 Messe Düsseldorf GmbH...............................................................9 Monolith. ...................................................................................... 45 N’Genius Materials Technology...................................................49 PipeSense.................................................................................... 40 Plymouth Tube Company.............................................................48 RINA SpA..................................................................................... 44 Rocklin Manufacturing Co............................................................23 Sikora AG..................................................................................... 10 SMS group.............................................................................14, 24 Sofratest....................................................................................... 44 Soleno.......................................................................................... 52 Sonotec GmbH............................................................................37 Sweco.......................................................................................... 50 T&H Lemont.................................................................................18 Tri Tool Technologies...................................................................53 Unison Ltd....................................................................................12 Voortman Steel Machinery...........................................................26 Yamazaki Mazak UK....................................................................21 Zumbach Electronic AG............................................................... 42
Alleima......................................................................................... 48 BLM Group UK.............................................................................30 Bültmann GmbH..........................................................................25 Danieli Group...............................................................................16 Dietronic Srl.................................................................................28 ESAB.....................................................................................22, 33 Esco Tool.....................................................................................30 Fives. ............................................................................................. 8 Fluenta......................................................................................... 38 GEMÜ.......................................................................................... 41 GF Piping Systems......................................................................28 HBK.............................................................................................. 41 Hexagon....................................................................................... 37 Paul Horn GmbH..........................................................................24 iNPIPE Products..........................................................................38 Kemppi...................................................................................18, 32 Kocks Measure + Inspect GmbH & Co KG..................................36 LAP Measurement Technology GmbH.........................................36 Lawton Tubes...............................................................................50 Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co..........................................................26
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MAY 2024
CONTENTS 2 Editorial index 8 Industry news 9 Diary of tube events 24 Technology news 34 Industry 360 36 Tube inspection, testing & quality control 60 Advertisers index
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
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
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
47 Tube Products INTERNATIONAL www.read-tpi.com The trade magazine for tube and pipe products www.read-tpi.com May 2024
Intras USA Danbury Corporate Center, 107 Mill Plain Road, Danbury CT 06811, USA Tel: +1 203 794 0444 • Email: doug@intras.co.uk
May issue • Business & market news • Cordless tube saw delivers precision cuts for high purity applications
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.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
56 ARTICLE
Preparing for the future with smart robot tube welding technology By Fronius
Tube & Pipe Technology magazine is available in print and online. Go to www.read-tpt.com for more information.
The Professional Publishers Association Member
When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it
The May Issue Welcome to the latest issue of Tube & Pipe Technology magazine. I hope that all of our readers who attended the recent Tube Düsseldorf had a safe journey home after what was a very busy and successful show.
May 2024 Vol 37 No 3
Rory McBride – Editor
I was impressed by the positive feedback I received from many of the exhibitors about the high quality of leads they managed to obtain and the new lists of contacts built up through valuable face-to-face discussions. I am told that there were more than 1,200 tube exhibitors from 54 different countries present – and trade visitors from a staggering 135 different countries – showing the true global nature of the event. This year saw a big boost in the number of visitors from the US, Central America and Asia, which were noticeably down in 2022 due to the remaining Covid travel restrictions and issues with international flights. When you include the joint wire event, the total was more than 2,700 exhibitors, which I believe makes it the largest show so far in its 40 year history. In the next issue we have features on tube straightening technology & equipment; tube software & control systems; and advances in tube measuring & marking. The Tube Products INTERNATIONAL focus will be on tube handling & logistics; and aerospace tubes & pipes. If you would like to submit editorial for the forthcoming July issue of TPT magazine you can contact me at: rory@intras.co.uk. The deadline for the issue is 5 June. I hope you enjoy the magazine.
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The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries
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.
MAY 2024
VOL 37 NO 3
US$33
ISSN 0953-2366
Thinking Outside the Box
24
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.
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INDUSTRY
World’s fastest tube mills to boost productivity and capacity at US producer
The high speed OTO tube mills from Fives are capable of producing tubular products at a record-breaking speed, the company said
“Thanks to our dedicated team of engineers and technicians, the four tube mills were commissioned in December 2023, just one and a half years after the order was placed, which was a challenge in itself,” added Luca Cagnolati, sales and marketing director at Fives OTO, a Fives subsidiary specialising in tube mills. Fives has been a market leader for OTO welded tube mills for over 40 years, having delivered more than 1,200 installations worldwide. It designs and supplies machines, process equipment and production lines for the world’s largest industrial players in various sectors such as steel, aerospace and special machining, aluminium, automotive and manufacturing industries.
panels and construction, in both the US and Mexico. “Our goal was to increase the overall efficiency of our plant in Rochelle, Illinois to achieve the fastest possible production in the shortest possible time, as well as to reduce manual intervention to almost zero in order to utilise our personnel for more skilled and productive tasks within the company. Our long-standing relationship with Fives led us to choose its high speed OTO tube mill technology with fully integrated automation to reach our goal,” said John Chatterton, group technical president at Zekelman Industries. “We are proud that we have been able to combine our high quality, high performance equipment with breakthrough technology designs that have enabled Zekelman Industries to set a production record in the manufacture of such tubes.
ZEKELMAN Industries has contracted Fives, an international engineering group, to supply high speed tube mills to increase its productivity capacity for the ever growing domestic US market. Zekelman Industries, one of the largest independent steel tube manufacturers in North America, was looking to increase production, save energy and enhance safety to stay competitive in the domestic market. Drawing on its technical expertise and capabilities, Fives designed and delivered four OTO tube mills that represent a world record in production. The high speed OTO tube mills from Fives are capable of producing tubular products at a record-breaking speed of 900ft per minute. The mills process tube and pipe from 18mm to 130mm in diameter for a wide range of applications, from conduit to solar
Fives www.fivesgroup.com
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DIARY OF EVENTS
Tube 2024: largest event in 40 years helps to shape the future of the industry
2024
11-13 May China (Guangzhou) International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition Guangzhou, China www.julang.com.cn
already achieved on the way to decarbonisation. Trends in wire and cable machines, manufacture and trade, as well as the latest developments in the field of glass fibre technologies, mesh welding machinery, spring making and connection and fastener technologies, were presented in exhibition halls 9 to 17. Dr-Ing Uwe-Peter Weigmann, board spokesman at Wafios AG, said: “Wire & Tube is the place where the future of the wire and tube industries is actively shaped and we introduce the innovations of the last two years to our customers. This year, our new developments received extremely positive feedback, which was also reflected by the high number of visitors at our exhibition stand. Alongside new machine concepts such as the modular transfer bending machine BQ10, the theme of ‘assisted machinery’ went down especially well in the context of skilled labour shortages.” The exhibition stands in Halls 1 to 7.1 made it clear that the tube industry not only “thinks big” but also has sustainable concepts for the use of renewable energies and the reduction of CO 2 emissions. The sectors using tubes and pipelines are as highly diverse as the requirements for the material properties and sorts/grades. Plastic pipes play an increasingly important role, as mirrored by the high footfall in the Special Area Plastic Tubes & Pipes in Hall 1. Trade visitors from 135 countries attended the event. The major producing countries have also traditionally been where most trade visitors come from. Apart from Germany, these once again included Italy, Spain, Belgium, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland, the UK, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, the USA, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, India and Japan. Notably, more visitors than before came from Central and North America, Turkey and Asia. In 2026, Tube and wire will again take place in Düsseldorf, from 13 to 17 April.
TUBE 2024, held in April in Düsseldorf, Germany, hosted 1,200 exhibitors from 54 countries in a 52,200m 2 space, making it the largest edition in its near 40-year history. The simultaneous wire event had 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries, in around 67,400m 2 . Over five trade fair days, the exhibitors showed that the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries and their upstream suppliers are ready for future energy related challenges. The fact that they are also among the system-critical sectors worldwide also strengthens the position of the Düsseldorf trade fairs. “The world seems to turn faster and we turn with it,” said Daniel Ryfisch, director wire, tube and flow technologies at event organiser Messe Düsseldorf. “Every two years our industries get together here in Düsseldorf – the community stands by its location on the Rhine. We are very grateful for this and are working consistently to ensure that wire and Tube will also remain their industries’ No. 1 trade fairs in future.” Insights into the transformation processes going on in their industries did not only come from the 2,700 exhibitors. For the first time, a programme of lectures, presentations, special shows and digital guided tours accompanied the exhibitions. Special areas and digital trails on topics such as ecoMetals, hydrogen, plastic pipes, separating, cutting, sawing and stainless steel provided information on their news and trends. Experts from numerous exhibiting firms presented their companies’ sustainability strategies, and discussed paths towards the green transformation and energy and climate policy with the audience, or presented successes Tube Düsseldorf – already looking ahead to 2026
11-13 June FABTECH Canada Toronto, Canada www.canada.fabtechexpo.com 25-28 September Tube China 2024 Shanghai, China www.tubechina.net 15-17 October FABTECH Orlando, Florida, USA www.fabtechexpo.com 22-25 October EuroBlech Hanover, Germany www.euroblech.com 27-29 November Tube India Mumbai, India www.tube-india.com 3-5 December ValveWorld Expo Düsseldorf, Germany www.valveworldexpo.com
2025
13-16 January SteelFab Sharjah, UAE www.steelfabme.com
6-9 May Lamiera Milan, Italy www.lamiera.net
Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.messe-duesseldorf.de
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
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INDUSTRY
Sikora shows range of tube products at NPE SIKORA, a manufacturer of innovative measuring, control and sorting
enables fast centering of the extrusion tools and automatic control of the minimum wall thickness for optimum material usage and overall sustainability as well as cost saving. With the X-Ray 6000 Pro, Sikora presented a system based on X-ray technology that continuously provides measuring data on wall thickness, eccentricity and inner and outer diameter of hoses and tubes in extrusion lines. These are clearly displayed on the monitor of the Ecocontrol 6000 processor system. The X-Ray 6000 Pro can be used either after the extruder, between two vacuum tanks/cooling sections, or at the end of the line for cold measurement. From the first day of commissioning, the system enables the wall thickness to be reduced to the smallest permissible value. This results in significant material and cost savings for the user. At NPE Sikora also exhibited the Purity Scanner Advanced that is used for inspection and sorting of plastic pellets. Even the smallest, critical contamination are reliably detected and sorted out by the system. Thanks to the modular concept, different camera types can be used depending on the inspected material. In addition to optical 25µm high-resolution cameras, which detect black specks and discolorations, an X-ray camera can be installed to detect metallic contamination down to 50µm in the pellet. Common systems on the market have a maximum of two optical cameras. However, these quickly reach their limits due to relatively low coverage as soon as the contamination are outside the cameras’ field of view. The Purity Scanner Advanced automatically sorts out detected contamination via a blow-out unit. For optimising the by catch, Sikora has also developed a ‘hybrid blow-out’ feature. In the area of plastics, visitors were able to bring small quantities of opaque and amorphous pellets, flakes or plates to be inspected and analysed for impurities with the inspection and analysis system Purity Concept V during the exhibition. The system is suitable for reproducible laboratory applications and detects black and coloured contaminants from a size of 50µm as well as discolorations.
technologies, recently exhibited its wide range of technology for quality control and cost optimisation in hose, pipe and tube extrusion and material production and processing at NPE 2024 earlier this month in Orlando, USA. At NPE 2024, Sikora presented new measuring devices that aim to redefine the segment of measuring technology for hose and tube extrusion lines. “Our customers can look forward to reliable, future-oriented products that continue to offer excellent performance and make a significant contribution to increasing productivity and cost efficiency in production,” said Katja Giersch, head of corporate communications at Sikora. Visitors were able to see the benefits of the systems for themselves live at the exhibition stand. For measuring tubes and pipes with a diameter from 32mm to 1,600mm, Sikora showcased the Centerwave 6000 at NPE. All models of the Centerwave 6000 device series are characterised
by their innovative measuring principle based on millimeter wave technology. Operation is intuitive at the push of a button. Once activated, the operator immediately receives continuous and precise measured values – without pre setting the product parameters, without the influence of a coupling medium (water) and without any calibration. Right after the first vacuum tank, the system provides all product dimensions. A continuously rotating transceiver measures the diameter and wall thickness in 360 degrees across the entire product circumference. The extensive and precise measuring data
When you´ve got no second try, it´s all in your hands.
www.fronius.com/artis
Sikora AG www.sikora.net
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INDUSTRY
Refurbish and re-control for tube bending machines UNISON Ltd, the UK-based
1 /3 Page Horizontal Windows-based system allows for ease of setup and network integration of various coordinate measuring machines, while existing tube bending templates can be easily modified to adapt to new part requirements. By using TeamViewer connectivity software in conjunction with their Unibend CNC, Unison can also remotely access both machine and data, to help resolve issues and assist with new application requirements – often eliminating the need for a site visit. Unison’s new refurbishment and as many of the former Addison team members as we could justify, in order to keep their considerable skills in the UK. It was a move that helped grow our consumable tooling offering in particular, as well as expand our reach both at home and overseas,” said Unison’s joint managing director, Alan Pickering, “However, talking to users of Addison tube bending machines over the last 12 months led us to realise that a very real need also existed for a refurbish and re-control service tailored to Addison tube benders. After all, many of these machines have been in operation for a good number of years. Additionally, not all owners have the desire or the budget to purchase a new tube bending machine.” Re-controlled Addison tube bending machines benefit from Unison’s proprietary Unibend CNC. This
manufacturer of tube bending machines, has introduced a ‘refurbish and re control’ service specifically for Addison tube bending machines. The service has been designed to provide owners of Addison tube benders with a cost-effective, quality assured means of upgrading their older machines with the latest operating technologies, for enhanced levels of control, productivity and performance. It involves the use of Unison’s latest servo-drive platform, new control and drive chassis plates, a replacement machine controller, an updated safety PLC and a new Windows 11 PC running the latest version of Unison’s Unibend CNC. All replacement parts are covered by a comprehensive warranty, and a full machine inspection and condition report is included. A detailed quotation is provided prior to work commencing and additional operations can be included if required. Back in autumn 2022, Unison Ltd recruited a number of former key employees from the recently defunct Preston-based Addison Forming Technologies Ltd (previously known as Addison McKee). “With new Unison technologies in the pipeline and exciting long-term strategic plans, our aim at the time was to employ
re-control offering follows on from its recently launched consumable tooling service – the result of a £750,000 investment. At the heart of the service is a new consumable tooling centre in Scarborough, UK. From here, tooling agreements are prepared and tooling, including mandrel balls and wiper dies, is held in stock for next-day delivery. “Through our re-control opportunity for Addison machine owners, and our new tooling service for owners of Unison and other makes of tube bending machine our objective is to help as many organisations as possible that are involved in tube manipulation to improve accuracy and efficiency, and to also save time and money,” added Mr Pickering. Unison’s refurbish and re-control package for Addison machines includes: the latest servo drive platform; machine inspection and condition report; and new control and drive chassis plates. Not all owners have the desire, or the budget, to purchase a new tube bending machine
Unison Ltd www.unisonltd.com
Equipment carrier for electroslag welding (ES-Welding)
Equipment carrier with control station for electroslag welding GT500F-Z4.250K-X1.500Z-ZT4.200SP Xs250-Ys100 vertical welding of pipes and plates
Machine
Type
Application
Wall thickness Stroke range welding heads
50-400 mm
650-5000 mm (Weld length approx.4000mm)
approx. v=10 - 100 mm/min, infinitely adjustable 400V/3P/N/PE/50Hz, 35 kW, 63 amps
Welding speed
Power supply Welding heads
3 pcs.
Payload
3.000 kg (3x welding wire reel) Coesterweg 45, 59494 Soest, Germany
Tel.: +49 2921/3690 223 email: info@mechacon.de Website: www.mechacon.de
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MAY 2024
DFT - DIRECT FORMING TUBE
ERW Tube Mills able to produce square or rectangular tubes directly from sheet metal, without the need to make a round tube from which shape profiles are later derived. This technology, together with the ‘universal roll’ design, allows for certain advantages over traditional forming: > Reduction in the number of tooling required, as ONE set of rollers allows all sizes included in the range to be made seamlessly, enabling special profiles to be made without the need for ad hoc tooling. > Reduction in change-over time or, by comparison with traditional profiles equipped with quick change-over, reduction in the labour required for size change-over. > Savings in the material needed to form the tube.
FIMIGroup will exhibit at: Fabtech Mexico | May 07-09, 2024 | Monterrey - Mexico | Stand 3006 Aluminium | October 08-10, 2024 | Düsseldorf - Germany | Hall 4 - Stand F44 Euroblech | October 22-25, 2024 | Hanover, Germany | Hall 17 - Stand E100
INDUSTRY
High capacity mill set up in record time SMS RECENTLY put the new high capacity hot strip mill (HSM) at Jindal Steel Odisha Ltd (JSOL) into operation. To JSOL’s satisfaction, the erection and commissioning of the plant took place in record time, despite temporary restrictions caused by the Covid-pandemic. SMS implemented the new HSM in the Angul works of JSOL in the Indian federal state of Odisha. This is the first hot strip mill at this location. JSOL is a subsidiary of the OP Jindal Group. The company has had a long co-operation with SMS, because SMS has already supplied several metallurgical plants to the Indian steel producer. Based on this, JSOL placed an order with SMS in 2021 for the erection of a 1,780mm HSM, to be equipped with the world’s most advanced technologies in the field of hot strip production, especially when it comes to rolling of hot strip to thin final gauges. SMS’s main scope of equipment included the primary descaler, roughing stand No. 1 in 2-hi design with attached edger, roughing stand No. 2 in 4-hi design also with attached edger, transfer bar cooling system, HIBOX ® heat preservation hoods, mandrel-less coilbox, edge heating equipment, drum shear, secondary descaler, a seven stand finishing mill, laminar cooling and three downcoilers. SMS’s integrated business unit AMOVA supplied a coil conveying system, coil strapping machines, marking machine and an inspection line. In the roughing mill section, slabs with 12m length maximum, a thickness range from 180 to 260mm and a width range from 800 to 1,680mm are rolled down to transfer bar thickness. The range of hot strip thicknesses is 1.20 to 20mm. In total, JSOL’s HSM is designed for an annual capacity of five million tons. The range of steel grades that are to be processed is very wide. These include sophisticated grades such as HSLA, pipe grades and silicon steels. The share of harder material grades is more than 20 per cent. Furthermore, very thin strips can be rolled reliably and stably. This is possible by implementation of various innovative rolling technologies. Transfer bar cooling – for optimal temperature regulation in the roughing mill, SMS installed the transfer bar cooling system. HIBOX ® heat preservation hoods – JSOL’s HSM is equipped with the latest generation heat panels of the HIBOX ® type. This simplifies the inspection and maintenance of the elements and increases the service life by factor four compared to conventional preservation hoods. Mandrel-less coilbox – arranged between the second roughing stand and the finishing mill, the coilbox forms transfer bar into coils and thereby equalises the temperature over the transfer bar length. Edge heater – the edge heater, located upstream of the finishing mill descaler, utilises inductive heating. The primary role is to enhance strip edge quality by maintaining optimal pre-rolling temperatures. Finishing mill – the seven-stand finishing mill in 4-hi design is equipped with hydraulic adjustment systems, hydraulic loopers and latest generation CVC ® plus combined work roll shifting and bending systems.
DFT
"MKK Metal to Introduce DFT Line to Double its Production Capabilities in Next 3 Years. "
They ‒ are the largest manufacturer of steel products in South India. The DFT LINE mentioned is produced and manufactured by Tengdi.
TEL:+86-13831146634
SMS group www.sms-group.com
SAVE ROLLERS
SAVE TIME
SAVE WORKERS
AUTO ADJUST
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MAY 2024
INDUSTRY
Tributes paid to Gianpietro Benedetti of Danieli Group who has sadly passed away
Danieli Group managing director in 1986. Four years later he ascended to group president and CEO. From October 2003 he drove the company as chairman of the board of directors of the Danieli Group and, from 2017, also as chairman of the executive board. Mr Benedetti was also a member of the board of directors of Acciaierie Bertoli Safau SpA since 1994. Backed by an extraordinary imagination Mr Benedetti impressed his ideas upon the group and the industry, which led to an ongoing transformation process, establishing a path for continuous growth. Mr Benedetti received honorary degrees from three different universities, in mechanical engineering, in management engineering, and international business, between 2010 and 2018. His passion for art and his
AN “endless passion for work and innovation for more than 60 years” – this, along with more than 80 patents registered from his original ideas, is the most tangible asset left by Gianpietro Benedetti – company developer of Danieli plant making and steelmaking business – to the Danieli team and the metals industry when he sadly passed away on 28 April at the age of 81. His successful career started under the Danieli flag in 1961 as a designer in the technical office for long product rolling mills, and continued as a project engineer and then plant start-up engineer. Mr Benedetti became manager of the rolling mill process and roll pass design offices in 1968 and director of research and development in 1976. He worked as sales director in 1982 and was appointed
Gianpietro Benedetti
sense of social responsibility led to several significant restoration projects across the Danieli homeland. With strong beliefs towards the regional education system, he launched and developed several scholarship and international university programmes, including Danieli’s educational projects. In June 2006, the National Order of Chivalry made Mr Benedetti a knight of the Order of Merit. In 2018, in recognition of his leadership in steelmaking technology and plant building, he received the Tadeusz Sendzimir Memorial Medal from the AIST association, USA.
Danieli Group www.danieli.com
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MAY 2024
F OREVER Shijiazhuang Forever Machinery Co., Ltd.
F OREVER Shijiazhuang Forever Machinery Co., Ltd.
HF Tube/Pipe Mill Line Cold Roll Forming Machine Slitting Line and Cut-to-length Line Directly Forming to Square and Rectangular Tube Mill Line Tube/Pipe Mill Line ld Roll Forming Machine tting Line and Cut-to-length Line ectly Forming to Square and Rectangular Tube Mill Line
www.pipemill.cn
INDUSTRY
T&H Lemont expands sales team with two hires T&H LEMONT has added made two additions to its sales department – Terry Steigmeier joins as sales manager and Latoya Hill as sales engineer. Terry Steigmeier
engineer for roll forming equipment for Yoder, overseeing projects from concept to sale. Other roles throughout his career include sales and marketing positions for welding-related products and services. His most recent role was sales manager at TEKFAB, a manufacturer of roll forming machines and related equipment. Newcomer Latoya Hill’s duties are focused on sales of mills, components, tooling and consumables. Ms Hill has held various customer service positions, including a stint with Main Steel LLC.
Industry veteran Mr Steigmeier will oversee the company’s sales and marketing department. In this new role, Mr Steigmeier will be responsible for all of the company’s sales and marketing activities, including new business development, building customer relationships and sales growth. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Mr Steigmeier’s first role in the metal fabrication industry was as a sales
T&H Lemont www.thlemont.com
Kalle Suurpää appointed CEO of Kemppi Oy KALLE Suurpää has been appointed as the new CEO of Kemppi Oy. He will take up his role in August 2024. Mr Suurpää brings many years of leadership experience, having served as vice-president of the valve controls and actuators business unit at Valmet Corporation, a position he held until his recent appointment. With a career spanning role at Neles Oy and Metso Flow Control, Mr Suurpää is recognised for his prowess in product and technology development. His tenure at Nokia further underscores his understanding of innovative technologies. Kemppi Oy www.kemppi.com
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MAY 2024
INDUSTRY Focus on short lead-time machines results in successful MACH for Yamazaki Mazak UK
Customers showed particular interest in the productivity benefits of unmanned running to expand production, with several robot-ready machines on display and the Variaxis i-800 NEO equipped with a Multi-Pallet Pool all proving popular. Making its UK debuts was the HCN-4000 NEO, a high performance horizontal machining centre offering productivity, accuracy and environmental performance; and Mazatrol DX, a CNC that can improve production with rapid and automatic quotations, automated part programming, machine process analysis and optimisation. A free trial of Mazatrol DX has been made available to all existing Mazak customers to experience the productivity improvements on offer.
The further development of Mazak’s NC Mazatrol Smooth also generated interest from customers in search of digital solutions to minimise costs and increase productivity. Alan Mucklow, managing director UK, Ireland and national distributors at Yamazaki Mazak, believes Mazak’s message of British-built affordability is resonating strongly with machine users. “The real success of MACH 2024 demonstrates that UK manufacturers are ready and willing to invest in new technologies and that our own investment in R&D and in our European manufacturing plant, which has dramatically shortened lead times, was money well spent.” Mazak brought its successful CV5-500 5-axis machining centre to the show and four years on from its launch, it continued to generate attention from visitors looking to make the move into 5-axis machining.
YAMAZAKI Mazak’s investment in affordable, British-built machines with short lead times, combined with its commitment to developing the newest technology, has resulted in record visitor numbers and new business leads at MACH 2024. The company showcased eight machines in total, including three UK debuts and its latest innovation, Mazatrol DX. The recent emphasis on the expanding range of entry-level machines created strong interest from machine users looking for affordable new technology to expand their capabilities into 5-axis work, vertical machining and high-performance turning. In addition, Mazak’s latest laser processing machine, the Optiplex 3015 NEO 12kW complete with new Smooth Lx control proved popular with attendees looking for efficient and powerful fibre technology solutions.
Yamazaki Mazak UK www.mazakeu.co.uk
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INDUSTRY
ESAB Corporation wins three Red Dot awards for innovative product design
Renegade TIG power source and RobustFeed wire feeder. “It is a tremendous honour to be recognised by the Red Dot expert jury for our continuous pursuit of welding and cutting equipment designs that meet the needs of customers all over the world,” said Flavio Santos, vice-president, global products, ESAB. “To win not just one but three awards speaks to our culture of product innovation that goes back 120 years to ESAB’s founding in 1904. “I would like to recognise the achievements of ESAB’s design and engineering teams who have advanced our welding and cutting equipment with state-of-the-art digital technology. Their work leads to breakthroughs that improve performance, productivity and quality results for millions of welders.”
VOLT provides fleet managers with the fastest, lowest cost deployment possible for field welding applications and eliminates the need to drag hundreds of feet of heavy and expensive welding cables or extension cords. The Rustler™ series of powerful yet compact industrial welders for MIG/ MAG, FCAW and MMA welding. They meet EU Ecodesign Directives for energy efficiency, address the shortage of skilled welders through factory-optimised programs and Synergic Control and feature an operator-friendly case design. The Rogue 210 EMP PRO, which embodies ESAB’s ability to transfer the features and benefits of industrial machines such as Rustler into light industrial welders that meet the diverse needs of welding professionals and first time welders. ESAB has won the Red Dot Award for product design in the past for its
ESAB Corporation has announce that three of the welding machines in its ESAB ‘ultimate line-up’ have received the coveted 2024 Red Dot Award for product design. The Renegade VOLT™ ES 200i, which is the first battery-powered welder that uses interchangeable batteries and also connects to 120V/230V mains power to provide up to 200 amps for MMA and Live TIG welding. Renegade Welding machines from ESAB have received the coveted 2024 Red Dot Award
ESAB Corporation www.esab.com
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INDUSTRY
Rocklin Manufacturing celebrates 90 th anniversary and regional export award
invention of the Rocklinizer Carbide Applicator, which applies wear-resistant coatings onto steel to reduce wear and to optimise grip. After several evolutions, the Rocklinizer remains the company’s core product. Later, the company introduced the MoldMender Micro Welder for mold and die repair. These products are now sold around the world through independent sales representatives. In recent years, Rocklin formed North American distribution partnerships with international manufacturers producing complementary portable products, including the battery powered FlyMarker dot peen marking units and the MobiLase and LaserEvo portable fibre laser marking units. In early 2024, the company launched a portable laser cleaner for removing rust and oil.
ROCKLIN Manufacturing, a family business based in Iowa, USA, is celebrating its 90th year in operation. The company was also recently honoured with the 2024 SBA small business exporter of the year award for both Iowa and the Great Plains Region. Founded in 1934, during The Great Depression, by IJ Rocklin, the company’s initial offerings focused on safety and efficiency on farms. Later, the focus shifted to around-the-clock WWII support, including escape tank hatches and running gear. The company received the rare Ordnance Award for its wartime production, and this flag is proudly displayed in the company’s recently renovated, certified historic building that has the unique claim of supporting both WWI and WWII within its walls. The company’s post-war focus shifted to manufacturing portable products to boost productivity, leading to the
Ross Rocklin, third generation owner of the business, celebrates with his family and co-workers at the historic building
Rocklin Manufacturing Co www.rocklinmfg.com
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TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY High quality drill pipe and coupling connections for extreme requirements
met and the oil deposits safely tapped. In addition to premium threads, API and GOST threads are used. “The API and GOST thread types are for less demanding tasks. However, the production of these threads is also subject to strict quality requirements,” explained Horn product manager Matthias Götze. So-called sour service pipes with premium threads can withstand aggressive and corrosive substances such as hydrogen sulphide or sulphuric acid. The large deposits near the Arctic Circle can only be tapped using premium threads developed especially for the harsh conditions and special high-strength, high-alloy pipe materials able to withstand the large temperature fluctuations. In the offshore sector on production platforms, the premium threads help to ensure that the production strings can withstand high intensity movement over the long term. Drilling does not always take place vertically, but has to change direction
WORKING in the oil drilling industry is not for the faint-hearted – handling the drill head with lashing chains, casing pipes weighing tons and the deafening noise all demand a lot from the workers. At the same time, the strenuous work makes it difficult for onlookers to imagine that the drill pipes and couplings are made using precision technology to µ-accuracy. The economical production of gas-tight threads requires a great deal of expertise and precise interaction between machine and tool. SMS group offers this combination using stable RMG coupling threading machines and tool systems from Paul Horn GmbH. In tough conditions, oil riggers do not wear kid gloves when screwing together drill pipes. Consequently, the threads have an average service life of five tightening cycles. During these cycles, a gas-tight connection between the pipes and couplings must be ensured. Only with premium threads meeting the highest ISO-13679 standard can the diverse and complex requirements be
for geological reasons. OCTG drill pipes with premium threads also have to withstand these enormous challenges. Productive and economical thread production requires a stable machine and a rigid tool system, as the materials to be machined are high-strength and difficult-to-cut steels. “The materials to be processed always depend on the required pipe grade. There are steels that are easier to machine, but we always talk about heavy-duty machining when it comes to thread production,” explained Benjamin Henkel, sales manager cold finishing long products at SMS group. SMS group developed the RMG threading machine for manufacturing pipe couplings. The machine was designed together with international customers and tool manufacturers right from the start. This has resulted in a solution that is in line with the market and its requirements. The pipe and tool manufacturers contributed their priorities and ideas for the machine. On this basis, engineers at SMS group developed various concepts and analysed them in a benefit analysis. The result: a horizontal coupling threading machine with a turret head and a rotary indexing chuck for premium socket production. This concept combines the most important advantages: productivity, precision and flexibility. The RMG internal thread Premium threads can be produced with just two Horn tools instead of the usual five when using other tool systems
SMS group developed the RMG pipe coupling threading machine
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TECHNOLOGY
combination for coupling machining to avoid unnecessary tool changes. The System 315 is used to machine the internal threads. A triple, highly accurate, reversible insert with two or three teeth roughs and finishes the threads. The inserts, having a maximum width of 15.5mm, machine the tools
cutting machine for couplings is based on the field-proven, successfully established TCG pipe threading machine. From this machine for cutting premium external threads, the RMG adopts its core components to provide a rigid machine tool that ensures high precision. Both machines deliver high quality end products in accordance with international standards, such as API or GOST. In this way, the SMS group is defining new standards as a holistic supplier in the field of OCTG production technology and strengthening its market leading position. The RMG has six tool holder positions that can be equipped with combination tools. Thanks to intelligent use of three cutting inserts on the combination tools, three work steps can be carried out without having to index the turret, which minimises cycle times. In addition, the horizontal design facilitates chip evacuation and offers significant advantages when feeding workpieces and changing tools. A highlight of the operation is the integrated machining cycle simulation. This allows the user to simulate the entire process before coupling threading starts and use the visualisation to check whether the programming meets all requirements and target values. “Visual simulation of the workpiece on the HMI before the first chip is even cut avoids expensive errors and creates a high level of process reliability,” said Mr Henkel. “The tools must deliver top performance during the turning process, as the load on the cutting edges is very high,” said Mr Götze. Horn provides
A successful collaboration: Benjamin Henkel (left) with Matthias Götze
threads economically thanks to their long life and low cost. Integrated chip breakers ensure good chip control. Coolant is supplied from below and above the insert. A stable clamping screw ensures excellent ergonomics when changing inserts. To minimise machine downtime, the tool holder can be removed in a few simple steps using a precise polygon shank interface (size 80) and replaced with a sister tool, allowing the inserts to be exchanged outside the machine. The System 315 is suitable for producing API buttress threads, API round threads, premium threads and other thread forms. Thanks to the repeatability achieved, machine operators can cut high quality threads with an elevated level of process reliability. Rework is minimised thanks to the precision tool holder interface. The long tool life ensures few interruptions to the production process.
ISO insert then produces an internal taper and chamfer. The Horn indexable ISO insert then performs the threading in three passes. Two combination tools are needed to produce a premium thread. The internal taper is pre-turned and finished and the sealing seat is pre-turned. After tool change or turret indexing, the type 315 insert carries out thread cutting in ten successive partial cuts. An ISO insert then performs finishing of the internal chamfer and the sealing seat. The SMS group has been working with Horn for several years. Mr Henkel rates the cooperation positively: “Thanks to the commitment of Mr Götze and Horn’s design engineers, we have made significant progress with its tool systems to an extent that was previously unforeseeable. I regard the tools as the perfect addition to our RMG coupling threading machine.”
The combination tool allows an API buttress thread to be machined without a tool change. In the first operation, ISO inserts are used for facing and turning an external chamfer. Another Drawing line with special handling technology for small tubes
Paul Horn GmbH www.horn-group.com SMS group www.sms-group.com
supplied so decided to invest in a further machine. In addition, the customer saw potential in the machine technology for the production of further innovative special tubes, which were not possible with previous machine technology. A spokesperson for Bültmann said: “We are pleased to have gained another long-term customer with the proven Bültmann concept of innovative, solid machine technology combined with competent customer service.”
FOLLOWING the successful develop- ment and delivery of a straight-line drawing machine for small tubes in the copper-beryllium material sector, a second RZ 0060/2-9.5-Z machine from Bültmann GmbH has now been successfully pre-accepted by a well known German customer. The drawing line with special handling technology for small tubes Ø3 to 25mm was specially tailored to this demanding application. Bültmann GmbH said the customer was convinced of the performance and product quality of the machines already
Bültmann GmbH www.bueltmann.com
A second RZ 0060/2-9.5-Z machine has now been successfully pre-accepted
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