TPT September 2011

73 / 199

S eptember 2011 71 ›
T echnology Update
Seamless tube
from SMS Meer
CHINESE tube manufacturer Jiangsu Valin-Xigang Special Steel
Co Ltd has commissioned a new PQF® (premium quality finishing)
seamless tube mill. The mill will enable the company to reduce
standstill times and increase productivity at its works in Wuxi. The
annual capacity in future will be 500,000 tons and the maximum
tube diameter is 10¾".
The line is built around a six-stand PQF mill of LCO (lateral
change over) design, in which the stands are changed from the
side, to simplify service and maintenance. The mill allows tubes
with thin walls to be produced within close tolerances and requires
less material and energy.
“The PQF mill enables tubes to be produced with a higher
quality, thus strengthening our position on the market,” said Lei
Youtong of Jiangsu Valin-Xigang. The company will use the machine
predominantly for the production of tubes for the oil and gas industry.
SMS Meer and SMS Innse supplied the core components
of the rolling mill equipment for the new PQF line, including the
Carta automation and quality assurance system. The scope also
includes a PQF calibration stand for checking the rolls and chocks
after dressing. In addition, SMS Meer was responsible for project
management, erection supervision and commissioning and for
hands-on training of the operating personnel.
The seamless tube plant at Jiangsu Valin-Xigang is the 11th PQF
mill to be successfully put into operation, and a further five such
seamless tube mills will go into production during the course of 2011.
SMS Meer GmbH – Germany
Fax: +49 21613 501667
Email:
Website:
Fusion weld head
AMI’s Model 21 series weld heads provide increased quality and
efficiency for fusion welding processes. The company claims that,
when used with the AMI Model 207 power supply, the Model 21
weld heads will exceed the clamping and alignment performance
of current weld heads.
Model 21 series weld heads, which feature auto-clamping
mechanism and LED alignment verification system, are suitable
for new process piping installation projects, bench top production
work, or applications where tight clearances are a challenge.
Programming allows for auto weld head opening for bench top
applications or manual weld head opening for field applications.
The auto-clamping and tube centring mechanisms produce
positive fixing of tubes, better alignment and proper tube location
in relation to tungsten position, reducing the potential for time-
consuming and repetitive fit up.
The Model 21 tube alignment verification feature saves time
and allows the weld heads to be used in applications where limited
space would prevent alignment verification from above.
Arc Machines Inc – USA
Email:
Website: