The production of steel is of great importance1
The metal is used in the manufacture of tubes that are used for the construction of aqueducts, treatment plants, pipelines, ventilation ducts and purification systems as well as in the photovoltaic industry and many more.
In the process of pipe manufacturing is very important the welding phase, which determines to main manufactured types of pipe: seamless and welded pipes.
Seamless tubes production includes two distinct phases. The first step is the drilling of a steel block so as to obtain a hollow cylinder of a certain length and thickness while the second stage consists in the lamination which reduces the thickness and the length of the perforated obtained from the previous procedure. This kind of pipes are perfect for handling the flow of liquids and gases as they are composed of a single piece.
Welded steel pipes come in a vast range of commercial diameters, up to a maximum size of 3000 mm. There are two distinct manufacturing processes. The first phase includes the forming of the tube, which includes treatments at high and low temperatures in both continuous and discontinuous exposure. The second step is that of welding. There are several methods for welding, the main division made between coil and longitudinal weld.
The tubes with longitudinal welding are fabricated with either a calender or a press. The welding is done from both sides, the inside cord before, then the exterior area with different equipment. Coil welding from tape, allows a continuous manufacturing process.
In recent years, welded pipes are dominating the market since controls on the welds have been perfected to assure safety and resistance, while in the past those were considered weak points of the pipes. Internal control has also improved since the verification can be performed on the sheet or on the tape before the tube is formed.
To avoid the process of welding, laser cut steel plants are the alternative. The laser source is directed to the part that needs to be cut and the incision is made from the set profile. This operation allows to precisely carry out injunctions that allow the pipes to come together, avoiding welds and allowing for a considerable reduction in the final price of realization.
Assembly, warehousing and logistics are the last phases of the production process. The technical expertise on a variety of application areas is the result of years of dedication in an industry that is expected to grow over time despite the financial crisis.