TPT March 2007

Technology Update

Hot extruded pipes from aluminium alloys

Kumz JSC, Russia, uses the hot extrusion method and specialised presses with 5-120MN capacity to produce seamless pipes from more than 80 aluminium alloys, and diffused seam pipes from alloys of 3xxx and 6xxx series. These semi- finished pipes are supplied to industries including automotive, chemical, oil and gas, construction, engineering and shipbuilding. Pipes from 12-100mm in diameter and with 1.5mm to 10mm wall thickness are produced on specialised horizontal hydraulic presses with 5-35MN capacity using mandrel dies. Presses with 15 and 25MN capacity are equipped with spray units, fi Horizontal hydraulic press with 72MN capacity and separate piercing system

allowing quenching by means of an aqua-air mix during extrusion. This reduces production cycle duration and power consumption. A press with 35MN capacity is used to produce seamless pipes from 70-150mm in diameter and 5-30mm wall thickness, using the indirect extrusion method.

› Drill pipe from D16 alloy with locks screwed on

This press is equipped with separate drive, extrusion rate adjusting system and working parameter monitoring system. Pipe presses with 72MN capacity are used for the extrusion of aluminium alloy weldless pipes, with a diameter of 70-425mm and 5-90mm wall thickness. These presses feature a reinforced piercing system with a stroke limited by limit screws. The system is attached to a moving beam, providing the fixed position of the mandrel and its exact movement to the specified target position. The piercing system capacity is added to the main press capacity as required. The piercing unit enables the extrusion of weldless hollow sections with an inner

irregularly shaped hole. In addition, these presses are used to extrude hollow sections with a complicated outer shape, such as the extrusion of electromotor housings from alloy 1925. Pipes with a diameter of 420-550mm with walls of 10-110mm are produced on a 120MN capacity press. The quenching of semi-finished pipe items is performed in vertical and horizontal quenching units, while box and shaft electrical furnaces with furnace atmosphere forced circulation are used for item ageing. The company also has a production line to produce aluminium drill and pump- compression pipes. This line includes two horizontal hydraulic presses with 72MN capacity, designed for the production of variable cross-section length-altered pipes. Drill pipes are produced from alloys D16T, 1953T1, 2024T3 and 1570, and supplied in the form of pipe shell, threaded pipe shell, and drill pipes with locks screwed on. These products are particularly useful for horizontal drilling and ultra deep well drilling. Kumz also produces pipes from 0.5m to 11m in length and 1-3mm wall thickness, from alloys VD1, D1 and AK6. These pipes include round cross-section (Ø 16-38mm), square cross-section (16-25mm), and rectangular cross-section (25mm x 28mm). The company has its own foundry shop for the production of solid and hollow cross- section rounds, and a tool shop for the production of extrusion tools. Products are exported to over 20 countries, with main markets being Europe, Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia and the CIS. This article was supplied by Mr Dmitry Cheroskutov (deputy chief extrusion industrial engineer) and Ms Olga Degtyarev (industrial engineer), Kumz JSC.

Heavy-duty mill simplifies roll changeover and set up

Addison Machine Engineering Inc, USA, has launched an improved PSU-8000 rafted sizing/powered squaring mill. The heavy-duty mill provides two features that simplify changeover and setup and provide greater operator safety.

The outboard roll stand base has a built-in air bearing, making it possible for one person to easily remove the stand during roll changeover. Additionally, the single point adjusters on each roll simultaneously position both front and rear side rolls and individually position top and bottom driven rolls.

All roll adjustments are made from a safe, convenient access point on the front of the stand, with a digital position indicator providing precise roll position feedback. This sizing/powered squaring section is suitable for round tube diameters of 3" to 7.625", square tube up to 6" x 6", and rectangular tube up to 2" x 10". › Addison Machine Engineering’s PSU-8000 rafted sizing/powered squaring mill

Addison Machine Engineering Inc – USA Fax : +1 608 524 6099 • Website : www.ameinc.com

Kumz – Russia Fax : +7 3439 395 927 Website : www.kumz.ru

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M arch /A pril 2007