TPT September 2007

T ube M ills: R olling & F orming M ethods

This benefit results in less redundant transversal material flow, lower specific average and, particularly, peak pressures on the mandrel and rolls. A higher degree of stability of the mandrel in the pass is also achieved.

FQM™ seamless steel pipe plants

Following the success of the Retained Mandrel Mill (RMM) process, Danieli has pioneered the FQM™ (Fine Quality Mill), an enhanced and progressively modified version of the first generation RMM. The company has been active in the field of pipe plants since the early 1980s, as a sub-supplier or partner in projects for both seamless and welded pipe. However, it was only in 2003 that Danieli increased its development in the area of seamless pipe steel plants. Together with the knowledge and technology exclusively supplied by Kocks for finish rolling, Danieli Centro Tube can supply the whole technical package – including mechanical, electrical, automation, and reheating systems. This leads to advantages such as smoother coordination through all stages of a project. Danieli Centro Tube provides the process technology and mechanical design of the machines; Danieli Centro Combustion provides heating systems; Danieli Automation develops process automation and related electrical systems; and Danieli

Centro Maskin contributes with auxiliary machines. The FQM™ process offers technology to produce seamless pipes with high quality features (close wall thickness tolerances and very smooth surfaces), at low production cost. It is based on the continuous rolling principle, which relies upon rolling passes on a cylindrical mandrel that moves at a constant controlled speed during the whole rolling phase. The rolling mandrel speed is calculated according to the deformation scheme and is less than the outlet tube speed from the first stand. The material therefore moves faster than the mandrel; consequently friction forces between the material and the mandrel are in the rolling direction versus a longitudinal material flow. The elimination of the transversal metal flow in the roll gap direction and the inline extraction of the tube from the mandrel (immediately after rolling), allow the use of a very close pass design. Moreover, the process offers a high degree of production flexibility, versatility

Danieli – Italy Fax : +39 02 262451

Email : r.calligaro@danieli.it Website : www.danieli.com

Complete mills for welded tube production

Olimpia 80 Engineering is a specialist in the design and construction of complete mills for the production of welded tubes. The company offers both individual equipment and complete lines, suitable for TIG, laser and HF welding.

and efficiency fully supported by process control features like automatic gap control and wall thickness inline measurement. The difference between the 2-roll RMM and the 3-roll FQM™ are significant. The smaller difference of the peripheral speeds between the groove bottom and the flange of the rolls leads to a more uniform deformation in the pass of an FQM. It is more uniform both in the steady phase and in the transient phases (biting and release).

fi Danieli’s FQM™ seamless steel pipe plant

› Stainless steel tube mill with laser welding system

The machinery is designed for material including stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, copper and other non-ferrous materials. The company also offers a wide range of equipment for strip handling, tube cutting, inline bright annealing and inline and offline tube finishing. Olimpia 80 Engineering – Italy Fax : +39 0523 864584

Email : olimpia@olimpia80.com Website : www.olimpia80.com

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S eptember /O ctober 2007