TPT March 2012

T HE M ARCH I SSUE Welcome to this special Tube 2012 edition of Tube & Pipe Technology. We have features on straightening technology and equipment as well as handling, bundling and logistics. We also have two fascinating articles (starting on page 222) from EFD Induction and Siemens. The weeks and months leading up to Tube 2012 are always a very busy and exciting time for the magazine – and that's before we have even arrived at the show, which never fails to amaze due to its sheer size and scale. Organisers Messe Düsseldorf are reporting that it is set to be one of the most successful shows ever – we will of course have a full breakdown on how the show went and how many people attended in the May issue, but the latest figures are already staggering. The show is expected to welcome in excess of 1,055 tube and pipe-related companies from 44 different countries. And all of these tube companies cover a staggering 50,000m 2 of exhibition space. This year Tube occupies Halls 1 through to 7a. Tube accessories can be found in Halls 1 and 2, with tube trade and tube manufacturing situated in Halls 2, 3, 4 and 9. TPT and its sister magazine Tube Products International will, of course, be at the show in force – pick up the latest issue in the North entrance hall or please do come and say guten tag to us at our stand located at 4F11. Enjoy the magazine and the show. Rory McBride – Editor E DITORIAL I NDEX .................. 2 I NDUSTRY N EWS ................... 6 T ECHNOLOGY U PDATE ........ 50 G LOBAL M ARKETPLACE .... 136 中文综合 ........................ 218 A DVERTISERS I NDEX ......... 228

Editor • Rory McBride Features editor (USA) • Dorothy Fabian

• Christian Bradley

Editorial assistant

• Lisa Benjamin

Production

• Catherine Sayers catherine@intras.co.uk English speaking sales • Giuliana Benedetto giuliana@intras.co.uk Italian sales • Hendrike Morriss hendrike@intras.co.uk German speaking sales • Linda Li linda@intras.co.uk Chinese sales • Jeroo Norman jeroo@intras.co.uk Indian sales

Sales & marketing

• Liz Hughes

Advertising

• Andrea McIntosh

co-ordinators

• Liz Hughes

Subscriptions

• Richard Babbedge

Accounts manager

• Caroline Sullens

Publisher

• John C Hogg

Founder

Published by : Intras Publications , 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HY, UK Tel : +44 1926 334137 • Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : tpt@intras.co.uk Website : www.read-tpt.com USA Office : Ms Dorothy Fabian, 272 First Avenue, Apt 12G, New York, NY10009, USA Tel : +1 212 614 9266 • Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email: dfabian@rcn.com All rights reserved – © Intras Ltd ISSN 0953-2366 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) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Tube & Pipe Technology , PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437.

F RONT C OVER S TORY GALLIUM offers a wide range of tube mills with the very latest features including quick change mechanisms, helical gear boxes for distribution of power at high efficiencies to individual driven stands, oscillating type OD-based cutting tools for long life, inline 19 roll straightener for a high degree of straightness and SG cast stands for excellent damping properties. Precision machined nitrited spindles housed in self aligned bearings, computerised roll setting for side setting (optional) are also available. Simultaneous screw down of top spindle, 4-roll driven shaping stands for sectional tubing, rotary turks heads for precise straightness and roundness, centralised lubrication system for mill gear boxes and online stretch reducing mills for small diameter tubes.

March 2012 |Vol25No 2 |US$33

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