TPT January 2009

S traightening & F inishing M achinery

Latest generation of advanced straightening machines for seamless tubes

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

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.

 Reika’s tube straightening line for seamless tubes

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

Fax : +49 2331 969036 Email : info@reika.de Website : www.reika.de

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J anuary 2009

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