TPT March 2008

T echnology U pdate

On course for success: PQF ® technology

SMS Meer, Germany, has announced that its PQF ® (premium quality finishing) technology will soon be in operation in 10 plants worldwide. Setting new standards, the development marks an innovative leap in the production of seamless tubes. fi The typical tunnel design of the first generation of PQF ® mills

The new process is essentially based on technology employing three hydraulically adjustable rolls. The process was first implemented at the Tianjin Pipe Corp works in China in 2003. Operation in practice soon revealed the advantages of PQF ® technology, including seamless tube production with lower material and energy consumption. The technology provides new possibilities for the rolling of tubes with higher material grades and a wider range of sizes than is possible using conventional methods. Use of the PQF ® technology enables users to significantly boost their competitiveness, as well as drastically reduce emissions. As a result, PQF ® has established itself as the leading technology for the production of seamless tubes. To date, SMS Meer has already commissioned (or is in the process of building or planning), ten mills employing PQF ® technology. The maximum product size ranges from 6 5 / 8 " to 18". Around 2 million tonnes of PQF ® tubes have already been produced between 2003 and 2007. In 2008 the output of PQF ® tubes is expected to reach 4 million tonnes. follow a strict set of rules. In addition, a highly important issue is to use the correct lubricant which makes such combinations possible. Alubronze tools should only be used to bend stainless steel, titanium or other exotic material with a high content of nickel and cromium. All other materials like carbon steel, aluminium, aluminized steel, copper and related alloys should be applied to steel or TSC (hardchrome plated) mandrels and wiper dies. Taking this evidence into consideration, the company has developed a mandrel made of hardened tool steel with Omni-X Black Chrome surface treatment. Both internal and customer tests have proved that this cost-effective mandrel has a lifecycle twice as long as steel or TSC (steel hard chrome plated) mandrels. These mandrels are mostly used to bend tubes of mild steel,

› The modular design of the new generation

The second generation of PQF ® technology has been successfully commissioned, resulting in the new modular PQF ® mill. The focus here was on optimising the ease of operation and maintenance, as well as further enhancing the wall thickness precision of the finished seamless tube.

SMS Meer – Germany Fax : +49 2161 350 1862 Email : info@sms-meer.com Website : www.sms-meer.com

aluminized steel, copper and associated alloys. The second invention from Omni-X has been created in cooperation with one of the leading companies in the chemical industry. Due to this cooperation, the company has launched a new lubricant branded Omni-X Lube. This new lube performs excellently on any tube bending application, which means it can be applied to any mandrel or wiper die produced in order to extend its working life. The advantage of combining these two products is significant. During testing, the company combined Omni-X Black Chrome mandrels with the Omni-X Lube. It was discovered that the mandrels often last more than three times longer than TSC mandrels lubricated with a general lubricant.

Hardened tool steel mandrels operate better with special lube

Following several months of tests and investigations, Omni-X, Czech Republic, has launched two new consumable tool products for rotary draw tube bending (eg mandrels/wiper dies). The products have been introduced following research instigated by the increasing price of copper, which is the basic element of any aluminium bronze materials suitable for use in consumable tube bending tools. Many trials and tests have been undertaken due to the search for an alternative material. Most solutions were generally dependant upon carbide, ceramic or different kinds of TiC/TiN coatings. However, although this material performs excellently, the main problem of high tool prices remains. One of the easiest ways to cut spending on such tools is to use a proper material combination, although these materials must

Omni-X – Czech Republic Fax : +420 548212804 Email : sales@omni-x.cz Website : www.omni-x.cz

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M arch 2008

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