TPT September 2013

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Tube mi l ls and rol l forming
122 September 2013
Rebuilding and upgrading
tube mills and rollform lines
UNIVERSAL Tube & Rollform, a
world wide supplier of used tube,
pipe and rollform machinery, knows
that in today’s uncertain economy,
companies are doing whatever they
can to save money, improve yields
and get the most out of their existing
equipment. But continuing to operate
machinery that no longer meets
today’s high standards for efficiency,
safety and quality control can pose an
unnecessary risk.
To address this situation Universal
Tube & Rollform can rebuild, re-power
and upgrade current machinery to the
most exact specifications, directly from
its US location in Ohio.
Its capabilities go even further,
working together with Universal
Controls Group (UCG) to bring options
such as new controls, drive systems,
die accelerators, length control and
other accessories to retrofit existing
machinery. Universal’s rebuild, re-power
and upgrade programme provides
many benefits, including cost savings,
accurate and reliable production,
enhanced safety, extended machine
life, documentation for retrofits, ease
of operation, installation services and
training services.
Universal also offers one of the
largest selections of used tube, pipe
mills and rollforming machinery in stock
that is available anywhere in the world.
Many of its in-stock lines have already
been upgraded and are ready to put
into production. It offers tube mills,
rollformers, HF welders, straighteners,
cut-offs and more.
Customers can purchase machinery
direct off the Universal floor as is, or
the company can offer many options in-
house at a time when many companies
have downsized their staff.
Universal Tube & Rollform – USA
Email:
Website:
Prolamsa picks Texas
for new mill
THE Prolamsa Group has announced
that it will build its new 300,000+ tons-
per-year pipe and tubular products
facility at Texas Triangle Park in Bryan,
Texas, USA.
The mill, which will cost in excess of
$120mn, is expected to employ more
than 285 people. It is scheduled to
begin production by mid-2014 and will
produce energy tubular products aimed
at meeting the growing demand of the
US oil and natural gas industries. The
facility will operate under a newly formed
company, Axis Pipe and Tube, Inc.
Bryan, Texas, located in Brazos
County, was selected after a
comprehensive search of possible
sites throughout the south-eastern and
south-western United States. Company
officials said that Bryan was chosen for
several reasons, including the business-
friendly environment, the adequate
supply of skilled labour nearby, and its
proximity to a large and growing base
of customers for the plant’s products.
Prolamsa has been granted approvals
for certain economic incentives, and is in
the process of processing and finalising
others, which played a critical role
throughout the site selection process.
Company officials went on to praise
the state and local public officials who
assisted in the selection process. A
company spokesman said: “Everyone
from Governor Perry’s office to public
officials from Brazos County and the
city of Bryan, and the Research Valley
Partnership was extremely helpful
and provided the information and an
enthusiastic spirit that convinced us
to locate in Bryan. We felt they truly
wanted us as neighbours and business
partners.”
Construction on the major buildings
of the new facility will begin shortly, and
that phase should be complete by the
fourth quarter of this year.
Commissioning is scheduled for the
second quarter of 2014. The plant will
receive and ship by both truck and rail.
The new 183-acre plant will
produce ERW energy tubular products
in diameters up to 16", with wall
thicknesses up to 0.625". It will have the
capability to produce API grades as well
as ASTM specified products.
The Prolamsa Group, established
in 1954, currently operates major mills
and distribution centres in Mexico and
Texas.
Prolamsa Inc – USA
Email:
Website:
The above tube mill was
completely upgraded in 2010.
It has new drives, motors and
an accelerator with high speed
gears to run up to 400 fpm