Confab S.A. has ordered a mechanical expander with a newly developed straightener from SMS Meer, Germany, for its Pindamonhangaba tube mill near Sao Paulo, Brazil. The “Advanced Geometry Technology – AGT®” allows calibration and straightening of longitudinally welded pipes with small diameters and large wall thicknesses precisely on one single machine. Such pipes are required for offshore pipelines laid in deep sea waters.
With AGT®, SMS Meer can offer a flexible and efficient solution for the straightening of large-diameter pipes that have been bent by heat input during SAW welding. For the first time, selective straightening of the pipes can be carried out in all directions during expanding, eliminating the need for downline equipment for pipe straightening.
Compared with solutions to date, the new development achieves a better straightening effect by over bending. Furthermore, the load on the expander tool is minimized.
The system is designed for pipe diameters up to 30 inches. For larger diameters the whole units can be separated from the machine. This also allows simple tool changing.
TenarisConfab produces up to 450,000 t of pipes per year using the UOE process. The pipe diameters range from 12 to 48 inches and the wall thicknesses from 6.4 to 40 mm. The maximum pipe length is 12.5 m.
Apart from the complete mechanical and electrical equipment, SMS Meer also supplies the necessary measuring systems and process engineering.
Commissioning is scheduled for the first half of 2013.