TPi October 2012 - page 10

8 Tube PrOducTs InTernaTIOnal October 2012 www.read-tpi.com
newsbusiness & market
Schuler acquires large pipe expertise
as market demand continues to grow
The demand for large pipes for the
construction of pipelines is currently
growing. Schuler AG, Germany, has
reacted to this trend and expanded its
product spectrum to include turnkey
systems solutions for the economic
production of large pipes. This was
made possible by the company’s
acquisition of ATIS GmbH, an
engineering firm specialising in this
field. The respective contracts were
signed in April.
Schuler has over 170 years of expertise
in the field of metal forming, as well
as extensive know-how in research
and development, large equipment
manufacturing, project processing, and
global service network.
ATIS will provide detailed knowledge
of the planning, development, delivery
and modernisation of complete pipe
equipment and systems throughout the
world. “This strong partnership offers
numerous benefits for our customers,”
said Jochen Früh, managing director of
Schuler Pressen GmbH.
Pipelines have to span huge distances
across inhospitable terrains and are
often exposed to extreme conditions.
Temperatures well below freezing and
enormous pressures, such as on the
seabed, exert huge loads on the pipes.
At the same time, the pressure inside
the pipes is being constantly raised in
order to extend the distances of the
transported materials.
“The stability and absolute quality of
the manufactured pipes is therefore
all the more important,” explained
Dietmar Rieser, managing director of
ATIS. During their manufacture, pipes
are carefully scrutinised using ultrasonic
devices, X-rays and water pressure
(with a hydrotester).
There are two basic methods for the
production process itself: “Large pipes
are either welded together as spirals
from a long metal coil or bent to an
‘O-shape’ with a longitudinal weld,”
explained Manfred Wischnewski,
managing director of Schuler SMG
GmbH & Co KG.
Spiral-shaped pipes can be
manufactured in lengths of up to 24m,
with diameters of 450 to 3,500mm and
wall thicknesses of 6 to 25mm. The
forming and welding stages can directly
follow each other (online process).
Longitudinal weld pipes with diameters
of up to 1.625mm and wall thicknesses
of up to 65mm are produced using
either crimping presses, U-forming
and O-forming presses, or equipment
for the step forming process – such
as Schuler’s Linear Feeding J-Press
(LFJ press). Longitudinal weld pipes
are usually produced in lengths of 12
or 18m. The new LFJ press can also
produce lengths of up to 24m.
A lower-priced alternative to stainless
steel pipes, needed for the transport
of aggressive or sensitive substances,
are lined pipes – a combination of thin-
walled stainless steel and conventional
carrier pipes. They are produced using
the hydroforming process during which
the pipes are also sized. They can be
produced in lengths of up to 12m and
reach diameters of up to 530mm.
schuler aG – Germany
www.schulergroup.com
aTIs GmbH – Germany
info@atis-germany.de
www.atis-germany.de
View of a spiral pipe plant