TPT May 2007

Technology Update

In front of the NDT-bench, a rotary wet brushing device can be installed. Two planetary driven steel brushes rotate around the axially transported tube, cleaning the surface from loose scale and dirt. Due to this prior cleaning process, any pollution into the UT-water circuit can be avoided, and wear of the rotating probes and pollution of the water circuit drastically reduced. Furthermore, the line efficiency and the ‘false defects’ with second testing can be reduced by 80 per cent. The high precision concentric driving units and complete transport mechanics can be set-up within 2 minutes. The tube guiding precision is validated by the high testing repeatability during the tube calibration mode. Control interface to HOST computer systems are available for production reports and line status reports. The line is completed by a bypass repair section with manual grinding and final inspection. It is expected that the line will increase the 2007 mill capacity by approximately 50,000t. Reika has also received another order for a complete cutting line with two rotary cutting machines for large diameter hot rolled tubes. These high performance rotary cut- off machines can easily match the output of the rolling mill/furnaces with a capacity of approximately 350,000t/a. Using the machine, which has a low tool cost compared to carbide layer saws, Reika claims that the customer will recoup the investment cost within 2 years, based on consumption cost. Advanced spiral welded pipes from Slovakia US Steel Košice sro, part of the USX Corporation, is a leading worldwide steel producer with an annual capability of 23 million tons. The company is one of the largest producers of steel flat rolled products in central Europe with an annual capacity of 4.5 million tons. It is an advanced integrated steel company, involving processes from raw material processing through iron and steel making to final product output. The company Reika GmbH & Co KG – Germany Fax : +49 2331 969036 Email : info@reika.de Website : www.reika.de

Mill modernisation and manufacture

I 2 S, USA, specialises in the design, manufacture and servicing of rolling equipment for the ferrous and non- ferrous metals industry, with a focus on the metals rolling industry. The company’s equipment can be used by tubemakers and other steel processors to reduce the losses associated with producing over- gauge products. These products are manufactured on process lines that convert coiled metals strips, such as stamping, cold roll-forming, welded tube/pipe production, and other types of continuous metal strip processing lines. The company’s plant contains one of the largest indoor cranes in the northeast USA (125t), and machine tools that allow the company to machine large mill housings in the 100t range. Its CNC machines are linked with its CAD system by Smart CAM, and all engineering is performed on CAD, with over 80 terminals online. I 2 S has modernised over 100 Sendzimir 20 Hi Cluster Mills, and since 1990 has manufactured 15 new 20 High Cluster Mills. The company has also modernised over 110 2 Hi, 4 Hi and 6 Hi mills, and has independently manufactured another 45 new mills. The company’s mills are used for wide variety of materials, including precious metals, copper and copper alloys, carbon steel, stainless steel, and special high strength super-alloys, and are engineered and customised to meet specific user needs.

principally produces deep-drawing, micro- alloyed and structural flat rolled steels for a large range of industries. The company also operates a pipe plant for spiral welded pipes, produced from structural and micro-alloyed sheets. Steel sheet with machined edges is formed into a pipe shape and welded from both sides by an automatic submerged welder using an electrical arc, followed by cutting to required lengths with bevelled trims. › US Steel Košice manufactures spiral welded pipes from Ø 406mm to 1,420mm

› Cutting is undertaken to required lengths with bevelled trims

Each pipe passes a series of non- destructive tests: ultrasound and x-ray inspections, pressure testing and a visual inspection both from outside and inside. The diameters of produced pipes range from 406mm to 1,420mm, wall thickness from 5-14.3mm and length from 8-18m. The annual production capability is approximately 60,000t. The pipes are used mainly for gas, crude oil and water distribution lines and other civil engineering and structural purposes.

I 2 S – USA Fax : +1 203 284 1819 Email : sales@i2s.com Website : www.i2s.com

fi The process of stamping on spiral welded pipe

The pipes are made from materials with strengths up to X70 according to the specification API Spec 5L. The products are also fully compliant with several European standards.

US Steel Košice sro – Slovakia Fax : +421 55 675 6498 Email : pavolhiznay@sk.uss.com Website : ww.usske.sk

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M ay /J une 2007