TPT January 2011

T echnology U pdate

New stand with quick re-tooling

OTO 40616 from OTO Mills

THERMATOOL’S Smart Anneal is a new system that offers precise yet simple temperature control of multi-stage seam annealing stations. When operating Smart Anneal, API pipe producers can quickly and accurately position adjacent annealer carriages by simply accessing stored database parameters for a given set of pipe diameters. The result is a faster, easier operation that delivers the additional benefits of repeatable heat treatment and a reduction in scrap. OTO Mills SpA, Italy, has expanded its production range, with the addition of a new stand that introduces some innovative concepts that can also be exported on other line dimensions. The new stand, model OTO 40616, which features a quick re-tooling system, involves the assembly and adjustment of four rollers, of which two are driving rollers with horizontal axle, and two are idle with vertical axle. The maximum diameter of tube that can be produced will be 406mm (16") and squares and rectangular by-products with maximum thickness of 16mm. The stand and driving line have been sized with particular attention to the ruggedness of the whole assembly, in relation to the range of diameters and thicknesses produced, as well as the reliability that a system of this size requires. The re-tooling concept is devised to minimise production changeover times and manual operator intervention, with automated re-tooling and adjustment operations, focusing on simplicity. Re-tooling and the working position set-up of the new tools are completely automatic. All adjustments of the roller positions are servo assisted and can be reproduced automatically when the same production lot reoccurs. These positions can also be easily modified and saved by the operator from the console. The quick changeover concept is based on the ability to extract and replace the roller unit on the relevant mandrels and supports

At the heart of the system is selectable speed power control (SPC) whereby real time feed-back via the PLC will automatically adjust the output power at each annealing heat station, taking into account mill speed. SPC also enables annealers to engage automatically with the mill run signal. Offering manual or fully automated temperature control, both minimum and maximum annealing temperatures can be set between 300°C and 1,300°C. Process parameters are stored for each product, selected process variables set in one single kit that can be moved to extract from the top. Disengagement of the Cardan shaft completely frees the mandrels, which can consequently be removed with relevant mountings and side boxes. The ability of removing from the top is possible due to the fact that the stands can be opened at the top part with automatic cycle to let the roller support kit through after slinging it appropriately and hooking it to the gantry crane, controlled by the operator. The motorised axles are connected to the reduction gear by Cardan joints and couplings, and using a sliding coupling system they engage and disengage with the help of a pair of ‘grippers’, driven automatically. The roller positioning cycle for extraction is performed automatically, so that all the operator has to do is hook the upper supports and extract the kit in one operation. After the

kit in use has been extracted, the operator may hook the new set of rollers to put it in the stand, again all in one operation. The standard machine is supplied with a double series of horizontal motorised mandrels and relevant bearing supports, and double series of side idle roller holder boxes, so that there is always one kit working and one offline ready for roller changeover.

Additional roller holder kits can be ordered, providing the possibility of leaving them equipped with the same rollers, and saving re-tooling time offline. A hydraulic device will be supplied offline to make it easier to disassemble and assemble the rollers on the motorised axles. Oto Mills SpA – Italy Email: mbigliardi@otomills.com Website: www.otomills.com Annealing station temperature control

are logged during each run for API documentation purposes, and the system is fully automated. Thermatool Corporation – USA

Fax: +1 203 468 4281 Email: info@ttool.com Website: www.thermatool.com

Thermatool IHWT – UK Fax: +44 1256 467 724 Email: info@ihwtech.co.uk Website: www.inductotherm-hwt.co.uk

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J anuary 2011

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