TPT March 2009

T echnology U pdate

End-forming and bending technologies in a single unit The machine is used for tubes with varying diameter ranges from 6-22mm and lengths ranging from 130-800mm. The tubes pass a one-sided transfer end-forming process which enables complex forming geometries with up to 6 axial forming steps and 1 rotary forming step. The forming of the opposite side takes place in a separate transfer process with 4 axial forming stages and one rotary forming stage. Transfluid, Germany, has created an efficient and innovative tube processing solution by arranging existing end-forming and bending technologies into a single unit. A benefit of this new machine is the direct loading process automatically initiated by a container, resulting in a fully automated 3-hour production process that requires no manpower at all. A specific demand during the conceptual stage of this unit was to speed up the final production process. The results are convincing: both sides can be formed with 7 bends, and a tube can now be processed within 6 seconds.

 The transfluid supercell: six axial forming steps enable a more complex end-forming process

After both sides are formed, the tube passes through an optical measuring process,

to a guiding system, enabling the three clockwise bending heads to produce one or more counter clockwise bends. Further bends can be produced with the clockwise processing machines. The machine can be equipped with an optical control system, which verifies the complete bending geometry after the final bending process. Several functions and positions, as well as the bending geometry itself, can be programmed and adjusted via an integrated touch panel. TransfluidMaschinenbau GmbH – Germany

which allows an integrated control of the final forming geometries. An additional handling system forwards the formed tube to a bending machine, which utilises three fully electrical clockwise working bending heads. The bending heads are equipped with a front adapter to support the end- forming geometry in the bending process and to facilitate the first bend close behind the end- forming. A counter clockwise bending unit is located above the three clockwise bending heads. The unit is applied

 German bending machine manufacturer transfluid’s next innovation – the supercell – during the bending process

Fax : +49 2972 97 15 11 Email : info@transfluid.de Website : www.transfluid.de

IMS delivers new multichannel wall thickness measuring system

tube wall thickness measuring system has already been used successfully for several years at Ovako Steel AB in Hofors, Sweden, as a standalone measuring system. The sensor and analysis systems are now being integrated in the IMS measuring system in close cooperation with the company LIMAB. IMS can therefore simultaneously measure the wall thickness and eccentricity, outside diameter and profile, temperature and length of tubes in a single compact gauge. This avoids the need to install multiple individual systems, which means not only savings in the cost of the overall investment, but also simpler maintenance and upkeep. IMS can look back on more than 20 years of close cooperation with Vallourec & Mannesmann Tubes, a member of the

IMS Messsysteme GmbH, Germany, has delivered a multichannel tube wall thickness measuring system to Vallourec & Sumitomo Tubos do Brasil Ltda (VSB), following an order last year. The measuring system will be used to measure tube shells at the exit of the PQF mill (SMS Meer). The system will be installed behind the PQF extractor mill. Apart from the well-established 13-channel measuring geometry for PQF mills, which is used for continuous measurement of polygonal wall distribution, the measuring system will be equipped for the first time for VSB with a high-resolution diameter gauge. A total of 18 laser triangulation sensors will be fitted. This will enable highly accurate detection of out-of-round flaws and profiling of the tube outside diameter. The laser-based measuring technology integrated here for the first time in an IMS

 A multichannel tube wall thickness measuring system from IMS Messsysteme

Vallourec Group, at various locations around the world and Sumitomo in Japan. This new contract included, IMS has already supplied this mill operator with more than 15 individual measuring systems. IMS Messsysteme GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 2056 975 140

Email : info@ims-gmbh.de Website : www.ims-gmbh.de

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M arch 2009

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