TPT September 2022

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

SEPTEMBER 2022

VOL 35 NO 5

US$33

Precision Inline Profile Measurement

• Full profile measurement • Surface fault detection • 3D image analysis

Family owned since 1957, Zumbach is a global leader in the industry. Driven by innovation and experience. We are here for you and ready to build the future together.

www.zumbach.com • sales@zumbach.ch

I NDE X Editorial

Pipeline Technique..................................72 Poppe + Potthoff.....................................74 Primetals.................................................29 Profiltubi ..................................................28 Reika.......................................................36 Sandvik...................................................50 Sikora AG................................................41 SMS group..........................................7, 18 Spectro....................................................55 T-DRILL...................................................38 T&H Lemont............................................50 Tenova. ...................................................58 Thermatool........................................28, 44 TSC Subsea............................................76 Tubacex. .................................................12 Unison Ltd...............................................17 Unison Tube LLC......................................6 Valmet.....................................................78 Valve World Expo 2022...........................77 voestalpine Tubulars...............................26 Wecotech AG..........................................14 WeldingDroid. .........................................64 Zumbach Electronic................................71

Hexagon AB............................................33 Hottinger Brüel & Kjær............................56 Huntingdon Fusion Techniques...............66 IMS Messsysteme GmbH.......................26 Inductotherm Heating and Welding.........66 Inelco Grinders........................................64 Jebens GmbH.........................................70 Kemppi India Pvt.....................................67 Kocks......................................................33 Lamiera...................................................14 Lang Tube Tec. .......................................48 LaserLinc Inc...........................................43 Made In Steel..........................................28 Mair Research.........................................69 Mason UK...............................................79 Mastercam..............................................32 McElroy...................................................24 Messe Düsseldorf...................................10 Nucor Corporation.....................................6 Olimpia 80.................................................8 Optimus Steel. ........................................20 Outokumpu. ............................................29 Parker Hannifin .......................................78 Pemamek Ltd..........................................70

Asahi/America Inc...................................74 AWL. .......................................................64 Axalta Coating Systems..........................22 Bültmann GmbH. ....................................36 Butting Gruppe GmbH & Co. ..................75 CAMU. ....................................................48 CML International SpA............................54 Combilift..................................................52 Condoroil Chemical.................................54 Copier Machinery....................................40 Danieli...............................................20, 44 DieTronic Srl. ..........................................46 EFD Induction...........................................8 ESAB. .....................................................63 EuroBLECH 2022. ..................................35 Express Engineering...............................72 Fives Group. .............................................6 Fluoramics. .............................................56 FOBA Laser Marking & Engraving..........52 Formtek...................................................37 Fronius....................................................61 Fulkrum...................................................30 Genebre..................................................76 Hannover Messe.....................................31

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SEPTEMBER 2022

Add: Cross of Xinzhao Road and Shiji Road, Shijiazhuang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Hebei, China Website: www.kdsz.cc E-mail: info@hebeisz.com Tel: +86 311-85028506 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

CONT ENT S 2 Editorial index 6 Industry news 7 Diary of tube events 36 Technology news 60 Tube welding machines & technology 88 Adver tisers index

Editor in chief

Rory McBride

Editorial assistant

Helen Gaskell

Design & production Lisa Wright

Sales & marketing

Jason Smith Sales & marketing (Italy) jason@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 834684 Linda Li 中国大陆，台湾， 香港以及远东地区销售代表 linda@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 834685

Advertising co-ordinator

Liz Hughes

Subscriptions

Louise Jennings

Accounts manager

Louise Jennings

Founder

John C Hogg

All rights reserved – © Intras Ltd ISSN 0953-2366

Published by Intras Ltd PO Box 6828, Warwick, CV34 9SP, 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 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.

Tube Products INTERNATIONAL www.read-tpi.com

73

September issue • Business & market news

www.read-tpi.com

The trade magazine for tube and pipe products

September 2022

• Tube and valve vibration control suitable for a new generation of high-precision chips

Photo credit: Kirklai

ARTICLES

81

Analysis of the design process used to create efficient metal bar and tube sawing machines By ISTech

85

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

Tube corrosion mechanisms and processes: understanding the basic elements that cause rust is the first step in preventing

it from forming By Quaker Houghton

The Professional Publishers Association Member

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

The September Issue Welcome to the latest issue of Tube & Pipe Technology magazine. This issue we have a number of in-depth technical articles that illustrate the enormous influence that the tube & pipe industry has on the world around us. On page 73 we have a case study that

September/October 2022 Vol 35 No 5

Rory McBride – Editor in chief

shows the important role that specialist tube and valve technology plays in the production of delicate computer chips, something that anyone who has tried to purchase a new motor vehicle – or any number of electronic products recently – will be aware are in short supply globally. We also have analysis from ISTech on the painstaking process the company goes through in order to design cutting machines to meet the specific needs of its increasingly demanding customer base. The need to work with the buyer and to factor in the space they may have available at their premises – and issues such as the different materials they use – is something that increasingly crops up on the pages of TPT magazine (see page 81). Quaker Houghton offers another great insight in an article discussing the causes of rust and how to prevent it forming in the first place. Another area that is increasingly vital as we all try to avoid waste and look at preventing problems in the supply chain. You can read more on page 85. This issue will be distributed at a number of trade events: FABTECH in Atlanta, USA; Tube Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand; and EuroBLECH in Hanover, Germany. It is great to see so many trade shows active again around the world. Long may it continue. Enjoy the magazine.

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The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

On the cover . . . Randolph Tool Co Inc offers high quality tube cut off blades and die jaws, manufactured to exact specifications to best suit the

SEPTEMBER 2022

VOL 35 NO 5

US$33

production needs of its customers. The blades are manufactured by experienced craftsmen using the best manufacturing procedures and have a reputation for exceeding expectations. Randolph Tool, which was established in

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1968, deals direct to reduce customer costs. You can fax a drawing of the blades, dies, jaws or repair parts for your tube mills that you require. You will then receive a quote and will find that the pricing is competitive, with a fast turnaround time. When you receive the blades they will be flat within 0.002 and the surface of the blade will be extremely smooth, which will help the blade last longer. Randolph Tool also offers services such as resharpening of used blades and die jaws as well as precision machining, and uses only top-grade tool steel to produce the best industrial knives and die jaws in the business. Visit www.randolphtoolco. com or email info@randolphtool.com for more information.

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Unison Tube presents new bending technologies at FABTECH 2022

ingenuity and productivity. We are particularly excited to be unveiling our latest Opt2Sim software, as this really will revolutionise tube bending simulation for organisations of all sizes.” Unison will be presenting from Booth C10217 where it will also use FABTECH to launch its most advanced version of its Opt2Sim tube bending simulation software, with several free software licenses up for grabs. The new Opt2Sim tube manipulation software is a complete end-to-end solution and in its latest version, Unison has made it easier to import and extract tube data and includes software versions. Opt2Sim provides users with a complete end-to-end solution, from taking 3D STEP files to bending tube within a single software suite. Delegates visiting Unison’s FABTECH booth will have the chance to win one of several Opt2Sim software licenses.

UNISON Tube LLC will be presenting a number of tube manipulation technologies at FABTECH 2022.

Unison machines will show its all electric Breeze Twin Head tube bending machine and one of the company’s all new Synergy hybrid, multi-stack tube benders at North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. “We are delighted to be returning to FABTECH with such inspiring tube bending technologies,” said Unison Tube’s vice-president, Stuart Singleton. “As industry returns to pre-pandemic levels, our aim is to help as many manufacturers and subcontractors as possible accelerate their efficiency,

Unison Tube LLC will be presenting a number of tube manipulation technologies at FABTECH 2022

Unison Tube LLC www.unisonltd.com

New coil inspection line with intelligent quality management system at US plant

with quality rules and automatically assesses product quality grading. Eyeron™ will be tracking quality on the vertical galvanising line and the recoiling and inspection line to ensure the products meet the automotive quality standards.

a real-time quality system,” said John Farris, vice-president and general manager of Nucor Steel West Virginia. With a total investment of about $2.7bn, Nucor is building a new steel mill for sheet metal production on the Ohio River, which is to start operations in the second half of 2024. The recoiling and inspection line includesFives’state-of-artdigitalsolution Eyeron™, an intelligent quality man- agement system that collects upstream process data, checks consistency

NUCOR Corporation, a steel producer in the US, has awarded Fives a contract for a recoiling and inspection line to support automotive applications at the new Nucor steel plant in West Virginia, US. This contract comes in addition to the two galvanising lines already won by Fives for this same Greenfield facility. “We choose Fives to supply an inspection line as an extension of our galvanising line N1 using their automotive expertise supported with

Nucor Corporation www.nucor.com Fives Group www.fivesgroup.com

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SEPTEMBER 2022

D I ARY OF EVENT S

2022

20-22 September Guangzhou Guangzhou, China www.julang.com

SMS group showcases its new plant concepts and digital innovations

5-7 October Tube Southeast Asia Bangkok, Thailand www.tube-southeastasia.com 25-27 October Tubotech São Paulo, Brazil www.tubotech-online.com

weld-seam coating of electric resistance welding profiles. Both applications were presented to visitors at the trade fair. When transporting highly volatile hydrogen or natural gas, impermeable, pore-free pipes and tanks are needed to minimise losses caused by diffusion. Here too, SMS is working on an innovative solution that best meets these demands. In an interview held during the leading partner talks, customers and industry experts were able to gain an insight into the equipment at the SMS booth and outline the success of joint projects from their own perspective. On the third day of the fair, SMS offered a tour of the workshop at its nearby location and future head- quarters inMönchengladbach, Germany. Interested visitors had the opportunity to take part in the event and the guided tours of the Coating Competence Centre or the EA Test Centre.

SMS GROUP showcased its products and services at the Tube and wire trade fair in Düsseldorf in June 2022. With an exhibition area of 400m 2 , SMS presented its latest developments and plant concepts for the tube and wire rod industry. “After a three-year hiatus, we were pleased to finally be back at Tube and wire and getting together with our customers and partners,” said Thomas Massmann, executive vice-president, long products at SMS. “We presented our latest developments at the fair. We combine advanced plant technologies and intelligent automation, digitalisation and innovative service models.” When it comes to protecting pipes against corrosion and ensuring their durability and resilience, thermal coatings are increasingly coming into focus. SMS presented its latest Perfect jet spray gun models, including the Perfect Jet 2000 for example, at Tube and wire. This is particularly suitable for coating large structures, such as wind turbines, for use in offshore parks. Perfect Jet 401 is ideally suited for the

25-28 October EuroBLECH Hanover, Germany www.euroblech.com 8-10 November FABTECH Atlanta, Georgia, USA www.fabtechexpo.com 23-25 November Tube India Mumbai, India www.tube-india.com

29 November-1 December Valve World Expo Düsseldorf, Germany www.valveworldexpo.com 2023 9-12 January

SMS group www.sms-group.com

STEELFAB Sharjah, UAE www.steelfabme.com 9-11 May Made In Steel Milan, Italy www.madeinsteel.it

10-13 May Lamiera Milan, Italy www.lamiera.net

With an exhibition area of 400m 2 , SMS presented its latest developments and plant concepts for the tube and wire rod industry

As with all shows, and with the continuing coronavirus pandemic, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

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Olimpia 80 commissions HF tube mill for West African market

Forming (#9 stands) and sizing (#4 stands) sections are engineered to assure the best

OLIMPIA 80 recently installed a new tube mill in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The line was installed and commissioned for a large local company that already produces welded steel pipes. The tube mill is a HF tube mill for carbon steel that covers the range from OD 12mm up to OD 63.5mm and wall thickness from 0.4mm up to 1.1mm and all the related hollow sections. It will include a specific vertical accumulator engineered for high speed and thin strips.

Olimpia 80 recently installed a new tube mill in Ivory Coast, West Africa

cut-off machine, is a cold saw system, high speed and the tube mill can deliver up to 140m/min real max speed. It was successfully tested with the following sections: 25 x 25 x 0.4mm, 30 x 30 x 0.5mm and 50 x50 x0.6mm.

performances and quality for the thin tubes and two motor control the forming area and one motor control the sizing section. The welding section have a system with three adjustable rolls. The tube mill is complete with four turks heads. Before the cut off machine is installed an oiling system for the surface protection was developed. The

Olimpia 80 www.olimpia80.com

EFD Induction celebrates success of Weldac tube and pipe welders

There are also sustainability factors to consider including high efficiency, reduced material usage, improved output power and lower cooling water requirements. These are beneficial for companies that wish to lower their environmental impact. In addition to the welders, EFD Induction is also selling more pre heating equipment. “Painting of pipes after production is something that’s becoming more and more popular,” Mr Lavergren said. “So, the producers need a pre-heater in their production lines. We have a comprehensive range of solutions for this as well – with all the same benefits.” EFD Induction has recently joined forces with induction charging expert IPT Technology. The two companies will soon merge under the name Evolgy. “Yes, we are expanding the scope of our operations even further,” Mr Lavergren said. “Electrification is the future, and we are now perfectly positioned to help our clients find the best technological solutions for them to reach both their production and sustainability goals.”

in our high-frequency welders and we believe we lead the industry in terms of technology and electrical efficiency.” With the new efficient SiC transistors in the high-frequency inverter power modules welding output has been increased. EFD believe that SiC inverter technology gives an efficiency above 91 per cent average – seven per cent more than previous systems and 35 per cent more than vacuum tube converters. The design of the Weldac with SiC inverter modules always indicates the total efficiency from the mains supply to the welding coil terminal. For specific standard setups, the efficiency has been measured to be above 95 per cent, the company added. “In fact, during the testing of the transistors, the inverter efficiency was measured at 99.3 per cent at full output current,” Mr Lavergren added. Along with a constant high electrical power factor – 95 per cent at all power levels – there are substantial cost savings. Particularly important these days, with power prices soaring to previously unheard-of heights EFD said. “The modest extra cost of a Weldac very quickly pays off with the much lower costs during operation,” said Mr Lavergren.

ACCORDING to EFD Induction’s section manager for in-line systems, Morten Lavergren, Weldac tube and pipe welders continue to be popular with customers globally after a number of recent sales. “Recently we have sold six welders to a client in South America and 16 to a major European producer. We have also just sold our first Silicon Carbide (SIC) Weldac in China and have good contracts in Australia,” he said. Mr Lavergren added: “Without a doubt the unique Weldac efficiency plays a key role in the sales. Our design has proven to work extremely well for use

EFD Induction www.efd-induction.com

Morten Lavergren says that Weldac tube and pipe welders continue to sell globally

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SEPTEMBER 2022

You have tube and pipe to produce.

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Guild International can design and build the coil joining and mill entry equipment you need to keep your lines up and running smoothly and pro tably. We are the leader in supplying coil joining and

mill entry equipment for the tube and pipe and steel processing industries around the world. Isn’t it time to put Guild’s experience and expertise to work on your tube and pipe production lines?

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www.guildint.com +1.440.232.5887 USA

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The green wave for the steel tube industry THE steel industry is already working on a historic technological transformation. Direct reduction based on hydrogen will replace the conventional production method as a clean production process. Steel production based on carbon will lose its place at the top.

The steel industry has the target to reduce emissions by around 30 per cent by 2030. A development that the wire, cable and tube industries are also paying close attention to. For them, climate-friendly steel as the basis for their products is also an important aspect when it comes to being environmentally friendly and competitive. The green transformation covers all industrial sectors – from suppliers to users. The European steel industry is responsible for 5.7 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union – which means that reducing emissions is a mammoth task. By 2050, it must be producing in a climate-neutral manner. This is stipulated in the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. But the steel industry has already got off to a strong start. thyssenkruppUhdeChlorineEngineers will manufacture a 200MW electrolysis plant based on its 20MW large module for alkaline water electrolysis. thyssenkrupp Steel is a shining example of this. “If production is converted to climate neutral steel by 2045 at the latest, we will be the largest single European consumer of CO 2 -neutral hydrogen,” said Dr Arnd Köfler, chief technology officer. The steel industry will be one of the main consumers of green hydrogen. What in turn shows they are leading the way when establishing hydrogen technologies as the key to decarbonisation. thyssenkrupp Steel aims to save 30 per cent CO 2 in this decade alone. To achieve this, four blast furnaces will be gradually replaced by direct reduction plants operated with green hydrogen from 2025, each supplemented by smelting units, in order to turn the solid rawmaterial into liquid pig iron. According to thyssenkrupp, €2bn will be needed for implementation by 2030 and up to €8bn in investments will be needed for the complete transformation. Salzgitter AG has also initiated the decarbonisation of its processes and products. It plans to start production of low carbon on a new production route

from the end of 2025. “The expected CO 2 saving after completion of the transformation will be more than 95 per cent,” the company explained. Salzgitter is entering into cooperation to push forward decarbonisation. The Group has entered into an agreement with Uniper to create the SALCOS ® project, which is part of the ‘Salzgitter AG 2030’ strategy. This project is to be supplied with green hydrogen for the production of climate-friendly steel by the international energy company Uniper. SALCOS ® (Salzgitter Low CO 2 Steelmaking) is a transformation programme to convert production to a hydrogen-based route. InWilhelmshaven, Uniper is developing two projects with green hydrogen. Here, the company is planning an import terminal that converts ammonia back into hydrogen. In addition, large-scale electrolysis is provided, which will generate green hydrogen with an output of up to 1,000MW. For this purpose, a direct connection to new offshore wind farms to be built in the North Sea will be examined. Salzgitter has already agreed with Volkswagen AG to supply low-carbon steel from the end of 2025. Volkswagen plans to use this steel in future projects such as the Trinity 1 e-model. The automobile group wants to focus on reducing CO 2 emissions where they are primarily generated, ie during automotive production. “In addition to the electric powertrain and aluminium components, this is especially the case with steel,” the group explained. For Volkswagen, the reduction of CO 2 emissions in the supply chain “is a central component in order to gradually become a mobility provider with a neutral

CO 2 balance by 2050, as part of the Group’s goTOzero strategy.” In addition, a closed recycling cycle for steel is to be set up between Volkswagen’s parent plant in Wolfsburg and the integrated smelter plant in Salzgitter. Volkswagen is again making the steel remnants of the production available to Salzgitter AG, which melts them down, processes them into new steel products and delivers them to Wolfsburg for car production. ArcelorMittal has successfully tested the use of green hydrogen in the production of direct reduced iron (DRI) at its steelworks in Contrecoeur, Quebec. ArcelorMittal aims to achieve carbon-neutral steel production at its European sites by 2050 and to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. “The German flat steel sites in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt are fully integrated into the Group’s strategy on climate neutrality,” the company said. Two blast furnaces will be converted at the sites in order to blow in natural gas and reduce CO 2 emissions. With the planned expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure in Germany, ArcelorMittal intends to build a large industrial plant for the direct reduction of iron ore (DRI) in Bremen and a DRI pilot plant in Eisenhüttenstadt in combination with electric arc furnaces by 2026. With ‘H2Syngas’ – together with the engineering company Paul Wurth (part of the SMS group) – on the use of their own process gases and the use of considerable amounts of hydrogen in the blast furnace process. The pilot plant was built in cooperation with Paul Wurth.

Messe Düsseldorf www.tube.de

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Tubacex secures its largest award wor th in excess of 30,000 tons from ADNOC

By signing this strategic agree- ment, Tubacex has accelerated its diversification plan, aligned with the decarbonisation demands, in which gas plays a key role in the energy transition towards green power and lower carbon. The award builds on other multi annual contracts signed recently for the manufacturing of umbilical, nuclear and aerospace tubes, which has given Tubacex a total backlog of more than €1.5bn. Tubacex is boosting its operational structure in the main target markets for its products. It is doing this with the tube and thread plant in Abu Dhabi as well as the recent investments in local content in Guyana, Brazil and Kazakhstan, with its own production and service centres.

TUBACEX has secured its largest award to date with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) worth in excess of 30,000 tons. The award, which is for a ten year period, is for the supply of comprehensive solutions for gas extraction in the Middle East. As part of the award, Tubacex will build a new tube and thread manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi, the first manufacturing facility for OCTG manufacturing in the Middle East, which is expected to be operational in 2024. Jesús Esmorís, CEO of Tubacex, said: “This agreement reinforces our long-term positioning in a region that is currently immersed in an ambitious investment plan, boosting and con- solidating our operational structure in the region. With this new plant, the company will have three production facilities in the region – Abu Dhabi,

Saudi Arabia and Dubai, where it also has service centres and sales offices.” The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi during the “Make it in the Emirates” forum that brought together industrial companies and investors in the United Arab Emirates to share their development plans and boost local manufacturing investment. The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi during the “Make it in the Emirates” forum Image Credit: Kamil Rogalinski

Tubacex www.tubacex.com

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SEPTEMBER 2022

F OREV R Shijiazhuang Forever Machinery Co., Ltd.

F OREVVER 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 t Square and R ctangular Tube Mill Line

www.pipemill.cn

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More than 19,000 visitors registered at Lamiera in Italy

2022 has actually prepared the ground for the 2023 edition, which we expect will have even higher figures.” Most exhibitors, interviewed at their stands, reported the presence of knowledgeable visitors and received visits mainly intended for purchases. On the total visitors, 12 per cent were from abroad, representing about 60 countries. The most numerous delegations came from Austria, China, Croatia, France, Germany, Holland, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the US. Over 100 journalists were accredited at the trade show, whereas 724 students registered to visit Lamiera 2022, also stopping at the Ucimi Academy area specially reserved for them. To make the most of the young people’s participation in the event and ensure that exhibitors could duly carry out their business activities, the

LAMIERA 2022, the international trade show of sheet metal forming machines tools and related technologies, which took place at fieramilano Rho from 18 to 21 May, has celebrated the end of a successful event. Promoted by Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre, the Italianmachine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers’ association, and organised by Ceu Centro Esposizioni Ucimu, Lamiera returned to the scene after three years, postponed for twelve-months due to the pandemic. Barbara Colombo, president of Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre, said: “The exhibition that has just closed really enjoyed the favour of exhibitors, who declared themselves satisfied with the collected contacts and in some cases, even closed important deals directly at the trade show. With these results – added the president of Ucimu – Lamiera

organisers decided to focus on guided tours led by tutors of the association. In addition, there were also free visits, guided by teachers from the visiting schools. Over 30 meetings were hosted at LamiaLamiera, an arena set up within Hall 13. The meetings were attended by about 700 operators, in addition to more than 400 remotely connected users, who followed the speeches streamed on the website lamiera.net. The next edition of Lamiera is scheduled to take place again at fieramilano Rho from 10 to 13 May 2023. Visitors attended the event in Milan from more than 60 different countries

Lamiera www.lamiera.net

Specialists in tube end forming WECOTECH AG is a technology com pany that specialises in tube end form ing machines for automotive, chimney, truck, motorbike, aviation, aerospace, burning chambers, scaffolding, fresh and wastewater, ventilation, solar heat, oil extraction and many other applica tions. using its considerable technical ability. Wecotech has its own training facilities and constant professional training is supported and promoted. The design of the machines is also developed with respect for the envi ronment impact. Wecotech strives to develop production processes char acterised by enhanced environmental compatibility. Wecotech aims to meet the unique technical demands of the customers

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• Chipless forming radial • Chipless forming axial • Chipless cutting, shearing • Machining • Deburring (brushing)

Wecotech is at the beginning and at the end of the tube. There are unlimited possibilities with Wecotech tools and machines; developed by specialists for specialists.

Wecotech AG info@wecotech.com www.wecotech.com

Chipless forming radial (also pictured right)

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SEPTEMBER 2022

With over 100 years of experience, the American made and locally sourced Yoder brand remains a leader in the development of new tube and pipe mill lines, innovative rollforming techniques, and precision tooling. Formtek continues production of Yoder’s exceptional tube and pipe mill technology designating its position as the largest, dependable mill machinery designer and manufacturer in the world. The versatility of Yoder technology allows it to accommodate varying pipe lengths, end conditions, and budgets. Formtek is also recognized as an industry leader with its utilization of specialized drive train platforms to extend and maximize product life, while minimizing maintenance. Yoder tube and pipe mill products employ several different welding technologies to provide the most customized machines available. Yoder products are efficient and adaptable with unsurpassed quality and reliability providing a competitive edge. THE INDUSTRY STANDARD SINCE 1910

• Wide range of mill lines - Most economical M-style, quick change QVW-style, and heavy duty WH-style roll stand products • Various welding technologies available - Forge welding (HF solid state or ERW) and fusion welding (laser, TIG, and plasma)

• Ability to fit special accessories - Single point adjustment (SPA), SPA Plus, and the latest TruPosition Auto SPA (servo driven top shaft adjustment with linear transducer feedback)

Oct. 8-10, 2022 | Atlanta, GA Georgia World Congress Center

Visit Us at the Booth # B900

4899 Commerce Pkwy, Cleveland, OH 44128 • +1.216.292.4460 • sales@formtekgroup.com • formtekgroup.com

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A second Unison Breeze tube bender is chosen for Platinum’s Ultimate stairlift

of tooling, both Breeze machines can quickly shift production to Platinum’s twin tube ‘Curve’ stairlift whenever order numbers dictate. “The immense capabilities of our first Unison Breeze machine, combined with the high levels of service and support we receive from the company, gave us the confidence to choose Unison for our second all-electric tube bender,” added Mr Turton. “We are delighted that Platinum Stairlifts chose to invest in yet another Unison Breeze tube bending machine,” said Unison sales project manager, Steve Chambers. “It was especially rewarding to assist Platinum in further streamlining its production processes by incorporating roll forming capability into the new machine’s design.”

production engineer, Matthew Turton. “At that time, we were using a hydraulic tube bending machine which, although absolutely fine for forming the rails for our twin tube stairlifts, lacked the capability to bend the highly complex angles required for a premium single tube model. “Having considered the tube bending machines and levels of support offered by a number of manufacturers, we went ahead and ordered our first Unison Breeze machine,” he continued. “A 90mm multi-stack model, the all-electric Breeze quickly demonstrated its ability to accurately bend tube for even the most challenging of designs, such as complex spiral and multi-flight staircases.” Platinum’s second 90mm all-electric Unison Breeze machine will further enhance the company’s ability to produce its Ultimate single tube stairlift in greater volumes. While thanks to a simple switch

PLATINUM Stairlifts of Keighley, West Yorkshire, has taken delivery of a second, ultra-precise, all-electric 90mm (maximum tube diameter) Unison Breeze tube bending machine. The purchase of the machine corresponds with Platinum’s move to a new multi-million-pound purpose-built manufacturing facility in the town, and underpins its faith in the quality, reliability and repeatability of Unison’s tube manipulation technologies. Stairlift company Platinum invested in its first all-electric Breeze tube bender from Scarborough-based Unison in 2015 – the same year as it launched its flagship ‘Ultimate’ stairlift; an elegant, ‘single tube’ design capable of navigating steep and narrow curved staircases. “We fully appreciated that in order to create an industry leading single tube stairlift we would need to invest in advanced, all-electric tube bending machinery,” said Platinum Stairlifts’

Unison Ltd www.unisonltd.com

Safety Storage

Efficiency • Safer product handling • Optimised production space • Improved storage capacity • Increased productivity & output • Enhanced profits

combilift.com

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SMS group records highest order intake WITH an 86 per cent increase, SMS group almost doubled its order intake to reach €3,507mn in the 2021 financial year, recording the highest level in 10 years. customers comprehensively in every situation.”

Prof Dr.-Ing Katja Windt, CDO of SMS group, said: “Many of our customers want to be able to focus more on their core processes and, therefore, have their maintenance services handled by service partners. Here, efficiency and sustainability are the primary performance indicators. We at SMS are positioned to support our customers during the entire lifecycle of their plants as a dependable single-source partner: during the design and commissioning of plants, and throughout their decades long operation, including all upgrades and revamps.” SMS expects a sustainable and perceptible increase in incoming orders and a marked improvement in results over the next few years. The order intake in 2022 is expected to level out at the previous year’s figure, even in view of the Russia-Ukraine war.

SMS group experienced a significant increase in the order backlog coming in at €3,944mn. Due to delays caused by the pandemic in the schedules for acceptance, the 2021 financial year closed with sales down 6.8 per cent from the previous year at €2,559mn. Earnings before taxes (EBT) amounted to €87mn. With this result, SMS has returned to a post-pandemic situation of profitable growth. HR costs in Germany have been sustainably reduced by €75mn as a result of the extension of the future-oriented collective agreement and socially acceptable staff reductions. The free cash flow rose significantly to a total of €145mn. Net liquidity climbed to €978mn. Investments were also higher than the year before, totalling €151mn. With the acquisition of the remaining shares of Paul Wurth, SMS has strengthened its position as technology partner and supplier for the steel industry.

The reasons for this substantial rise are catch-up effects in the wake of the previous year’s slump triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the growing demand for decarbonisation and recycling technologies. Burkhard Dahmen, CEO of SMS group, said: “Almost all industrialised countries have set themselves ambitious climate targets and resolved transformation strategies for their steel industries. Today, integrated steelworks produce around 1.3 billion tons of crude steel per year via the conventional BF BOF route, accounting for 90 per cent of all CO 2 emissions from the steel industry. In the decades to come, these production capacities will be subject to transformation. As a systems supplier, we are in a position to support our

SMS group www.sms-group.com

“THE PUSH POINTER PEOPLE”

GEORGE A. MITCHELL COMPANY MANUFACTURER OF PUSH POINTERS & SPECIAL FORMING MACHINES SINCE 1963

Mitchell offers rebuilding services of old Mitchell machines: • Complete Disassembly, Cleaning & Inspection • Modernize Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems • Modernize Electronics • Upgrade to Modern Safety Standards

PO BOX 3727, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO USA 44513 www.mitchellmachinery.com Tel.: +1-330-758-5777

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Since 1978

40 years of field experience

Tube mill & finishing line pro ducing API 4” to 24” O.D x 20t

pipes, developed w ith adva nc ed

tec hnolog y and v erified th ro ugh c ontinuous R&D based on exte nsiv e field ex perienc e accumulated over 40 years in the tube mill & finishing line.

We provide API, high-strength and high-end tube mill line and an advanced finishing line alongside the latest technology on a turnkey basis. · Tube Mill Line capability of Manufacturing up to 24” · 6-Roll, 7-Roll, and 10-Roll Straightening Line · Max. 2-Head Automatic End Facing & Bevelling M/C · Max. 5-Head, 700bar Hydrostatic Tester · Automatic and Semi-automatic Bundling M/C · Related Equipment and Facilities to Comply with API Standards

GLOBAL PATENT · i - SPECIAL FORMING SYSTEM · CASETTE TYPE ROLL CHANGING BOX · INSIDE BEAD REMOVING E/Q · V-CUT SHEAR & WELDER · SPECIAL ROLL CHANGING E/Q · NON-CONTACT SEALING METHOD IN HYDRO TESTER

4” ~ 8” O.D, Up to 18mm wall thickness TUBE MILL LINE

5” ~ 12” O.D, Up to 16mm wall thickness TUBE MILL LINE

12” ~ 24” O.D, Up to 20mm wall thickness TUBE MILL LINE

BAEKCHUN PRECISION CO., LTD. 252, beoman-ro, Sosa-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.

E-mail : sales@bcpre.com

Homepage : www.bcpre.com

Tel : +82 31 313 7151~3

Fax : +82 31 313 2305

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Complete rolling mill modernisation at Optimus Steel to help boost competitiveness

To be installed at the entry side of the two new rolling lines, an energy efficient Q-Heat induction heater will improve material quality, especially on the wirerod products, by controlling scale formation. The automation control for the entire process will be guaranteed by Danieli Automation systems. The upgrade of the existing water-treatment plant serving the minimill, along with the supply of a new one to guarantee higher environmental standards and comply with local requirements, is part of the contracted package. Full rolling mill modernisation is expected to be completed by beginning of 2024.

and it will be completed by 2023. Supplied with two Danieli HTC high speed double twin-channel systems and automatic bar counting, it will enable Optimus Steel to produce 9.5 to 36mm diameter, high-quality rebar (#3 to #11) at a stable working speed of 45m/s. Recently, to complete its modernisa- tion plan, Optimus Steel has approved an investment for a new re-heating furnace and a new twin rolling mill. The new 140tph Danieli Centro Combustion low-scale, low-NOx, energy saving walking-beam furnace will feed two independent rolling lines, which in turn will feed either the two-strand wirerod line for special steel or the HTC bar line. The new mill will operate energy-saving, cantilever-roll stands to minimise installation and production costs, maintenance time and personnel, by fully applying the 4.0 concept, which also improves operator safety.

FOLLOWING the acquisition of a minimill in Texas, US, Optimus Steel selected Danieli for a complete rolling process modernisation plan, to help improve competitiveness and product quality and to operate with high production flexibility. The project covers different technology areas and is being carried out in steps. A first modernisation step, related to the two-strand wirerod mill, has already been implemented. Two new HSS High-Speed Shears for automatic bar cropping have been installed between the wirerod finishing blocks and the new Danieli oil-film bearing laying heads, equipped with patented double-pipe rotor technology to perform consistently at finishing speeds up to 115m/sec. A new Sund Birsta all-inclusive coil finishing end completes the wirerod mill modernisation. The installation of a new 140tph high speed bar-finishing line is in progress

Optimus Steel www.optimus-steelusa.com

Danieli www.danieli.com

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Axalta’s vice-president appointed to the board of Germany coating association

since 2018, and has more than 20 years of experience in the coatings industry. As the largest trade association of the coatings industry in Germany, VdL represents the economic and socio political interests of the German paint industry, as well as German subsidiaries of foreign manufacturers towards other sectors of the economy. The VdL represents 85 per cent of German coatings, paints and printing inks. More than 200-member companies are organised in the association, whose structure is very heterogeneous: alongside a few large, multinational companies, most of which are tied to corporate groups, there are a considerable number of medium sized manufacturers, many of them family-owned.

KLAUS-GEORG GAST, vice-president general industrial coatings of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at Axalta Coating Systems, a supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has been elected as a VdL board member. The election took place at this year’s Annual General Meeting of the German Coatings and Printing Inks Industry Association (VdL). “The VdL is arguably the strongest association at a European level and I am very pleased to be part of this important organisation and to be able to play an active role in shaping the future of the coatings industry. “Coating manufacturers are facing major challenges, especially when it comes to sustainability and the Green Deal. The key is to identify where the appropriate approaches are and to support developing solutions at an early stage. To this end, I will bring Axalta’s

brand-leading expertise and my many years of experience to my voluntary work at VdL,” said Mr Gast. He has been working at Axalta’s EMEA headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, Klaus-Georg Gast, vice president general industrial coatings has been elected as a VdL board member

Axalta Coating Systems www.axalta.com

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EXCELLENCE ISA CONTINUOUS PROCESS

Upward casting since 1968

Bangkok THAILAND October 5–7 2022

®

UPCAST OY , PORI, FINLAND www.upcast.com

Visit us at

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McElroy welcomes new director of digital strategy to craft technological approach MCELROY, a designer and

directly with clients and guide them through the digitisation process. He went on to found ICEdot, a start-up that designed technological products for outdoor enthusiasts. The company was eventually acquired by California-based Specialised Bicycles, with Mr Zenthoefer serving as director of specialised digital. “I am very excited about what we have already done at McElroy, and how we can extend our work into increasing jobsite productivity for our customers,” Mr Zenthoefer said. McElroy is recognised as a versatile manufacturer of equipment. Over the past 45 years it has offered various different models of nning equipment. Its leadership focuses on building reliable equipment and offering technical support.

In his capacity as director of digital strategy, Mr Zenthoefer will assist in crafting McElroy’s technological approach to its equipment, while working alongside other members of McElroy’s leadership team to ensure that McElroy remains at the forefront of fusion technology. “As the world shifts more and more to a technology-driven model, we realised the need for a department to coordinate our digital strategies,” said McElroy’s president and CEO Chip McElroy. “We are thrilled to have Chris join the McElroy team to lead this new facet of the company.” Mr Zenthoefer graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a marketing focus. After completing his degree, he started a company that built websites where he realised, he appreciated the opportunity to work

manufacturer of thermoplastic fusion equipment, has announced the arrival of Chris Zenthoefer as the company’s new director of digital strategy.

Chris Zenthoefer is McElroy’s new director of digital strategy

McElroy www.mcelroy.com

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IMS Messsysteme and voestalpine Tubulars celebrate latest milestone IMS MESSSYSTEME GmbH, based in Heiligenhaus, Germany, and voestalpine Tubulars GmbH & Co KG, based in Kindberg, Austria have announced that together they have reached another milestone in their synergetic business relationship. Potential surface defects on the hot-rolled finished tubes from Kindberg will now be detected immediately behind the stretch-reducing mill, bringing their detection another step closer to the manufacturing process. Thomas Brunner, assistant production manager tube rolling mill, voestalpine Tubulars, said: “It is impossible to imagine everyday production without the surface inspection system after only a short learning phase. From our point of view, the surface finish is an essential component, in addition to the outside diameter and wall thickness measurement, to produce a high-quality product.” The joint project is in line with voestalpine’s motto ‘one step ahead’ and is the combination of two completely different measuring technologies in a single system. For this purpose, the radiometric components of the existing 4-channel measuring system were mounted together with the camera and laser technology of surcon 3D surface inspection in a new housing that is only slightly larger in terms of dimensions. The advantages of this fusion of two complex technologies that all measurement data such as wall thickness, diameter and profile, temperature and surface defects are determined simultaneously at the same measurement location and have the same tube length reference; the existing IMS measuring location can continue to be used as before; there is no need to create additional space for another measuring point and only minor adjustments to the roller table elements and their surroundings are necessary. The response time to eliminate the source of defects on the aggregates, such as buildup on the rolls of the mill stands, can be reduced as well as the scrap rate. The location and type of detected surface defects can be immediately communicated to downstream production areas. If serious defects are detected, which inevitably lead to rejects during quality control, the subsequent production steps can be avoided. Periodically occurring defects on the tube surface defects are reliably detected, identified, and can be quickly eradicated.

join the best: worldwide www.tube.de

International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair

IMS Messsysteme GmbH www.ims-gmbh.de

voestalpine Tubulars www.voestalpine.com

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