TPT November 2008

T echnology U pdate

Elind SpA, Italy, is the manufacturer of complete solutions for induction heating applications. These applications include rolling mill operations, hot forging, and heat treatment such as hardening, tempering, annealing and heating of tube and pipe. Following its experience in the field of stainless steel tube annealing, Elind has developed an innovative inline bright annealing system for work on TIG and laser welding stainless steel tube mills. The equipment is composed of three main sections: heating, soaking (available on request) and cooling. The concept of modularity is applied on all three sections of the equipment that can be tailored to the needs of the end-user and easily improved in field in terms of number of inductors, power and cooling section length. The heating and soaking sections are composed of one or more inductors driven by a generator with an output power ranging from 50-500KW. software to control the instrument, analyse samples, manage results and interface with external devices through RS 485 or TCP/IP. The system includes automatic operation so no operator intervention is required, while a robust industry hardened design requires minimal maintenance. It is possible to monitor up to 25 elements simultaneously from P to U – from ppm to high percentage levels. Other features include remote diagnostics, integrated standardisation for automatic analyser QC and performance verification, and minimal downtime, as pre- calibrated probe head assemblies can be exchanged in minutes. The compact design will fit into most existing operations with minimal infrastructure changes. The system has low power requirements, needing only 110/220V, and uses a low cost, low power x-ray tube, eliminating the regulatory headaches of a radioactive source. Innov-X Systems also supplies portable and handheld alloy analysers for pass/fail and PMI verification. Innov-X Systems – USA Fax : +1 781 938 0128 Email : foxiq@innovx.com Website : www.innovx.com

Expert in tube mills upgrades finite element analysis system Roll-Kraft, USA, has upgraded its system for finite element analysis, in response to increased demand for such services from both the rollforming and tubing industries. The update includes the integration of a new, high-performance, dual-processor computer. Upgrading the Copra RF FEA software from Data M Software is designed to take advantage of the new computing power. The new release of the FEA software has increased functionality. An engineer can designate which roll passes are driven and non-driven, as well as define the line speed and account for friction in the tooling. The program is also able to simulate non- symmetrical, formed-up welded profiles. Early tests have resulted in a calculation time reduction of approximately 75 per cent, compared to the previous FEA system. The increased capacity will allow Roll-Kraft to use the FEA more effectively during the design phase of the project. The improvements in both speed and functionality will benefit customers in several ways. The decrease in calculation time will permit the running of more simulations of various tooling design concepts during the engineering phase, in order to develop the best possible solution for producing an accurate profile. This will, in turn, decrease the amount of time a set of tooling spends in the testing phase. The addition of the rotating rolls, line speed, and friction functions will better allow the prediction of possible surface condition problems in the finished product. With many industries switching to lighter, stronger materials and more complex profiles, the need for a scientific approach to tooling design has become necessary. Roll-Kraft often uses the FEA system in an R&D role, and collaborates with existing and potential customers to determine the feasibility of rollforming these advanced materials and products. Roll-Kraft – USA Fax : +1 440 205 3110 • Website : www.roll-kraft.com

Innovative inline bright annealing system

The equipment is extremely safe due to special seals fitted at the input and output areas, together with a sophisticated gas management system. A temperature control system ensures a constant annealing temperature even in cases of possible feed variations of the mill. The standard equipment is supplied complete with a separated cooling unit and an operator control panel. Elind SpA – Italy Fax : +39 011 95 72 502 Email : info@elind.netIndirizzo Website : www.elind.net

The generator is based on a high efficiency IGBT inverter of the latest generation, which is able to work within a wide range of working frequencies. The cooling section has been designed for achieving the best results in terms of short cooling time and to make fast and easy the change of tooling. Both inductors and cooling section are assembled onto a movable water- cooled frame that can easily be removed from the tube mill in case annealing is not required. Stainless steel tube is heated up to the annealing temperature (which is main-

tained for a while if the soaking section is used), and subsequently cooled down. The entire process is performed in a pure hydrogen atmosphere for keeping the surface of the tube clean and bright.

 Elind offer a new inline bright annealing system

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N ovember 2008

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