TPi September 2015

seat that provides lateral support by means of an individual and adequately dimensioned clamping bolt. There is no need for any additional elements such as separate chip breakers, supports, etc. The substrates offer a combination of hardness and toughness in accordance with the specific application. The AS66 PVD multi-layer coating, which is highly resistant to wear, is used on the inserts, and the surface parameters of the cutting edges are optimised for the particular application. In terms of their cutting edge geometries and position in the tool head, all the inserts used in this complex tool system are designed to ensure optimum cutting conditions and chip control. This technology from Horn for producing oilfield pipe threads in a single machining pass offers major commercial benefits: • Enhanced productivity • Excellent surface quality • Superb thread accuracy with secure positive and non- positive locking • Threaded surfaces with a high load-bearing ratio to prevent galling due to high torques during disconnection and connection processes • High levels of leak tightness and concentricity These complete tools can be used with an API diameter range of 2 3 / 8 " to 26" as standard. The Horn system also supports pitches of up to 10mm/turn with diameters above 14", although this option is not currently available as part of the standard solution. In spring 2011, Horn received certification according to API Q1 from the American Petroleum Institute (API). The API is the largest association for the oil and gas industry, including the petrochemical industry, in the USA. With this Q1 certification, Horn was the first company worldwide to be included in the APIQR’s Composite List for the development, manufacture and sale of turning and milling tools. This achievement, combined with the company’s ISO 9001 certification, is positive proof of its commitment to compliance with higher, internationally recognised quality standards. Horn’s many years of experience in this segment, coupled with its approach of offering the best solution to meet a particular challenge, have enabled it to achieve its objective and given it a competitive advantage. Horn is recognised as a technology leader in various areas, and these now also include the machining of oilfield pipe threads. Technology leader for oilfield pipe threads

Cartridge for thread chaser system 315

Minimal floor-to-floor time Of the two methods, machining with rotating tools is the more challenging. With this in mind, Horn has developed a new tool system that is able to face the pipe ends, perform internal and external chamfering, create the conical thread with peeling inserts and produce a finished thread with three tool cartridges (featuring thread-cutting inserts) that are each offset by 120° – all in one pass. The thread pitch for API pipes of medium diameter – which is the dominant market segment – is exactly 5.08mm per turn. The inserts used for thread machining are structured differently from follow-on tools and are precisely coordinated to produce the required thread geometry. First of all, the first tooth of the first insert makes contact, followed by the first tooth of the second cutting edge, then the first tooth of the third cutting edge, the second tooth of the first cutting edge, the second tooth of the second cutting edge, and so on. The technology supports up to five teeth per insert. This results in optimum distribution of the cutting forces across the individual teeth and inserts, so that none of them are overloaded. This machining concept enables an extremely short floor-to-floor time, but also places a great deal of importance on precision and cost effectiveness at the same time. Optimum production technology The tools used in this compact tool solution feature effective internal cooling to facilitate heat dissipation and chip removal. Depending on the application, the coolant flows through, under or over the cutting edge. There is a minimum coolant pressure of 50 bar and the volume flow rate is 50 l/min. The most effective part of the cooling concept is the way the cooling lubricant can be supplied through the cutting edge. The thread-cutting inserts from the S117 thread system (with a thickness of up to 7mm) ensure optimum heat dissipation and vibration reduction. Integrated chip breakers that are tailored to the material being machined make for excellent chip control. The threading insert is secured in a precision insert

Paul Horn GmbH – Germany info@phorn.de www.phorn.de

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Tube Products International September 2015

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