TPT September 2008

T echnology U pdate

‘World largest’ continuous ERW pipe mill for 26" x 24mm

SMS Meer, a company of the SMS group, has supplied the world’s largest continuous 26" ERW line to Jiangbei Steel Processing and Logistics Co Ltd, part of the Chinese Wisco Steel Group in Wuhan, China. The ERW line is scheduled to go into production at the end of 2008 with an annual production capacity of up to 350,000t. The production range will consist of pipes from a diameter of 244mm to 660mm with a wall thickness up to 24mm and a maximum length of 18.5m.

The pipes to be produced will be used for the oil and gas industry and for the building sector. Linepipes in steel grades up to X80 and casings for oil exploration in steel grades up to N80 will be manufactured according to API standard. In addition, the mill is designed to produce structurals, square and rectangular hollow sections in dimensions up to 500mm x 500mm and 600mm x 400mm with a wall thickness up to 20mm. Highlights of this line are the approved SMS Meer quick-change system for inline size changes of the URD ® stands and offline roll changing as well as the Quicksetting-System, a computer- controlled, automatic roll setting and chock changing system. The new welded pipe mill for Wisco is part of the ‘North River Project’, a new steelworks complex established on the outskirts of Wuhan at the north shore of the Yangtze River. It will cover the whole added-value chain from crude iron through to finished steel products.

Established more than 130 years ago, SMS Meer develops and builds plants for the tube, steel, NF metal and forging industry. Since 1960, the company has established more than 350 welded tube plants. Highly experienced personnel, continuous develop- ment, cost-effective production and pre- assembly (including trial run) forms the basis of the company’s comprehensive capability. In terms of quality assurance, standards with certification to DIN ISO 9001 have  Pre-assembly of the straightedge (lineal) forming section

 26" ERW – fin-pass stands (URD ® design)

been achieved by the company. SMS Meer GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 2161 350 1667 Email : info@sms-meer.com Website : www.sms-meer.com

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S eptember 2008

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