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Kocks to Supply Extractor, Stretch Reducer for Xicheng Tube Plant

08/06/2009 - Friedrich Kocks will supply the three-stand extractor and 24-stand stretch reducing block for the hot rolling mill in Jiangyin Xicheng Iron & Steel’s new tube plant.

Jiangyin Xicheng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. has placed an order with Danieli Group for a new 7-inch seamless tube plant. The new tube plant will be installed by a consortium led by Danieli Centro Tube at Xicheng’s head office in Jiangyin, in the center of the Yangtze delta.
 
The new tube plant’s continuous hot rolling mill will transform 200-mm diameter billets into green pipes. The hot mill will feature a FQM™-Elongator, an Extracting Block [EXB] and a Stretch Reducing Block [SRB]. The three-stand extractor and 24-stand stretch reducing block will be supplied by Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG, Germany. Both will be based on Kocks’ 3-roll “Star Drive” design, which features separate drives for individually driven rolls. The extracting and stretch-reducing blocks’ 3-roll stands are designed for a nominal roll diameter of 360 mm. The extractor will be operated with non-adjustable stands only, whereas the stretch reducer with both the non-adjustable as well as the adjustable ones.
 
Main characteristics of this concept are the in-line remotely controlled pass adjustment for the adjustable stands, the stand quick changing system as well as the roll shop with quick roll changing system. All these aspects significantly reduce the total number of change stands normally required for optimum production.
 
The scope of supply also comprises the process automation systems and Kocks’ Tumicon-System. Tumicon’s computer program facilitates calculation of the pass design and optimum setup values (e.g. motor speed) and also includes a management tool for rolls and stands. TEC-BOX, a highly dynamic open and closed loop system for quality optimization, includes the functions AWC for wall thickness control and HEC for minimization of heavy ends. Kocks’ supply also includes an INSPECT-System, which visualizes the technological controls of the TEC-BOX as well as measured values from the rolling mill such as wall thickness, heavy ends, etc. Process know-how and commissioning are also Kocks’ responsibility.
 
Upon completion, the new tube plant will be capable of producing 400,000 tonnes annually of high-quality seamless tubes with high tolerances and mechanical properties that will satisfy international standards. The tubes produced within a diameter range of 48.3 to 177.8 mm and a wall thickness range of 3.18 to 25.0 mm will mainly be used in the gas and oil industry.
 
Commissioning of the new seven-inch seamless tube plant is scheduled for the second half of 2010.