TPT January 2009

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J anuary 2009 74 ›
Straightening & F inishing Machinery
Reika, Germany, has received a number
of follow-up orders from leading European
tube mills following its development
of straightening machines for the tube
industry. The tube market has become
more competitive in recent times and there
has been a growing demand for precise
tube straightening.
The development of 6 and 10 roll
straightening machines has involved
higher machine-tool accuracy and compact
design. Reika machines are equipped with
special features for seamless tubes to fulfil
the actual and future market requirements.
The machine features include high
straightening accuracy, high throughput,
high rigidity, wear compensation, automatic
setup, noise reduction, environmental
protection and easy maintenance. The
setup times are drastically reduced
because of the automatic, self-
learning control system.
The straightness accuracy has
been drastically improved in
comparison to conventional
machines on the market.
Therefore the centreline
distances of the rolls have
been reduced and special roll
geometries optimized to improve
this feature.
The 3D block frame design
with finite elements has been
developed using state-of-the-
art Catia CAD systems. This
technology is known from the
automotive industry to maximize
rigidity.
The machines are totally
enclosed and compact to
fulfil the market demands
of noise reduction and
no emissions to ensure
environmental protection. Wear of the
rolls is minimized due to the individual
roll drives. In addition, free access into
the working room without disturbing
columns is beneficial for maintenance
and operation.
The central clamping of the roll carriers is
wear free and secures the precise angular
and vertical adjustment without any play.
All adjustment and guiding components are
completely protected from scale, dirt and
water. Therefore no corrosion or excessive
wear can damage these precise adjustment
elements.
In addition, Reika has been awarded
with international contracts for complete
finishing lines for seamless tubes. The
rotary cut-off machines at the heart of
the lines are able to cut individual tube
lengths according to the varying ingoing
lengths. In addition, test results from
the NDT sections and sample cutting
are being considered for the cutting
process.
The customer experience of these lines
provides material savings of between
2-3 per cent per year in comparison to
standard layer saws. The current tool cost/
consumables can also be reduced by the
use of simple standard carbide inserts – the
savings are up to 80 per cent of carbide
sawing blades.
Reika GmbH & Co KG – Germany
Fax: +49 2331 969036
Email:
Website:
 Reika’s tube straightening line for seamless tubes
Latest generation of advanced straightening
machines for seamless tubes