TPT March 2018

I NDUS T RY Mair Research supplies finishing line for a high productivity tube mill in US

MAIR Research has supplied an integrated finishing line for processing tubes to an important US supplier of tubes used in a wide range of applications such as A53, API, conduit and sprinkler pipe. The distinguishing factor for this finishing line is the high level of productivity it is expected to guarantee as it must follow a continuous weld (CW) mill capable of producing at speeds up to 1,000ft per minute (approximately 300m/min per minute). The products being processed are up to 4 7 / 8 " diameter with max 0.375" wall thickness and 25ft lengths. They arrive at 105°F. The line has replaced the previous system based on single processing zones; the integration of the full process placed in line with the mill has allowed it to reach a 95 per cent working progress reduction and a significant increase in output. The layout has been custom designed together with the customer according to the specific processing required as per the destinations of use for the tubes. This is also in accordance with the available floorspace. Since all operations are performed automatically, a very limited amount of operators, with sole supervisory tasks, are sufficient to conduct the line. Consequently all operator hazards have been eliminated, providing a consistently safe work environment.

The US finishing line supplied by Mair Research

The main processing equip- ment present in the line is as follows: • Chamfering machine. Mair Research employs a special double head chamfering machine to process two tubes at a time (facing, ID and OD bevel plus adaptor for specific angle bevel). The machine is equipped with a quick spindle replacement allowing it to reduce the downtimes during size changeover.

• Swarf removal station. This is used to flush out loose chips and scale from two tubes at a time in two stages by means of compressed air. All expelled particles are conveniently collected inside a bin. • Packaging machine. The tubes are automatically packed into hexagonal or square/rectangular bundles and then strapped. Special provisions allow a staggered layer bundle to form when stacking threaded tubes equipped with a socket on one end. Bundles are then weighed and placed ready on the storage chains to be picked up by an overhead crane. A

Upon changing tube length the mobile part of the equipment (conveyors and mobile head) will relocate automatically to the new position. • Hydrotester, rotary type. A special high productivity hydrotester allows the machine to test up to 1,200 tubes per hour at 3,000psi. The operation is continuous and the tubes perform a rotary movement in which the work cycles take place. Before the actual pressurisation, all tubes undergo an ID flush-out operation to clear any scale or chips.

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MARCH 2018