API Tube Mill Machine

An API Tube Mill Machine is a specialized industrial equipment used for manufacturing tubes and pipes that meet the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, which are critical for oil and gas applications. These machines are designed to handle the production of high-quality, precise, and durable tubes that are essential for transporting oil, gas, and other fluids under high pressure and harsh conditions.

API PIPE MILL LINE

API pipes are essential in several critical industries:

• Oil and Gas Pipelines:
  • API pipes are used to transport crude oil, natural gas, and refined products over long distances. These pipelines often operate under high pressure and must be resistant to corrosion, mechanical stress, and temperature fluctuations.
• Offshore Drilling:
  • Pipes used in offshore drilling platforms must be exceptionally strong and corrosion-resistant, as they are exposed to harsh marine environments.
• Refineries and Petrochemical Plants:
  • API pipes are used in the transportation of chemicals, steam, and water within refineries and chemical plants, where they must withstand high temperatures and pressures.
• Structural Applications:
  • In some cases, API pipes are used in structural applications where high strength and reliability are required, such as in the construction of oil rigs and other infrastructure.

Importance of API Standards:

API standards are crucial because they ensure that the tubes and pipes produced are safe, reliable, and capable of performing in the demanding environments of oil and gas exploration and production. The standards cover material specifications, dimensional tolerances, testing procedures, and certification requirements.

In summary, an API Tube Mill Machine is a sophisticated piece of equipment essential for producing pipes and tubes that meet the stringent requirements of the oil and gas industry.

Technical Information:

Production Capacity
The production capacity of the API Tube Mill Machine varies depending on the tube diameter, wall thickness, and the type of steel used. Generally, the machine is capable of producing:

Daily Output: Up to 300 tons.
Speed: Adjustable from 10 meters per minute to 60 meters per minute.
Operating Efficiency: Up to 95% with continuous production.
Steel Strips Specification
The steel strips used in the API Tube Mill Machine must adhere to stringent specifications to ensure the production of high-quality tubes:

Material Type: Hot Rolled Steel (HRS), Cold Rolled Steel (CRS), and other API compliant steel grades.
Thickness Range: 4mm to 16mm.
Width Range: 600mm to 2000mm.
Yield Strength: 245 MPa to 485 MPa.
Coil Weight: Up to 25 tons.
Working Flow
The working process of the API Tube Mill Machine is a sequential operation designed to ensure precise and efficient tube production. The typical workflow is as follows:

Uncoiling: The steel strip is loaded onto the uncoiler.
Leveling: The strip is leveled to remove any initial deformations.
Shearing and Welding: The strip is cut to the required length and welded to the previous coil if needed.
Accumulation: The leveled strip is stored in the horizontal accumulator to maintain a continuous supply to the forming mill.
Forming: The strip is gradually formed into a tube shape in the forming machine.
Welding: The tube edges are welded together using a high-frequency induction welder.
Sizing: The tube is sized to the precise dimensions in the sizing section.
Cutting: The finished tube is cut to the desired length by the flying saw or cold saw.
Inspection: The tube undergoes quality checks, including NDT, before being sent for packing.
Machine Parts Details
The API Tube Mill Machine comprises several key components, each designed for a specific function in the production process:

Uncoiler: Holds and unwinds the steel coil.
Leveling Unit: Flattens the strip to ensure smooth feeding into the mill.
Shear and Butt Welder: Joins the end of one strip to the beginning of another for continuous operation.
Horizontal Accumulator: Stores the leveled strip to maintain a steady feed to the forming section.
Mill Forming Machine: Shapes the strip into a round, square, or rectangular tube.
Guiding, Extrude, and Scraper Unit: Ensures the strip is accurately aligned and guides it through the forming process. The scraper removes any debris or excess material.
Welding Section: Utilizes high-frequency induction to weld the tube edges.
Sizing Section: Ensures the tube meets precise dimensional specifications.
Cut-off System: Cuts the tube to the required length.
Shear and Butt Welder
Function: Joins the ends of steel strips to enable continuous production.
Shearing Capacity: Can shear strips up to 16mm thick.
Welding Type: Flash butt welding, providing a strong and durable weld seam.
Automation: Fully automated operation with precise alignment and control.
Leveling Unit
Function: Removes any bends or irregularities from the steel strip before it enters the forming section.
Rollers: Multiple precision rollers made of hardened steel.
Adjustability: Rollers can be adjusted to handle different strip thicknesses.
Capacity: Handles strip widths from 600mm to 2000mm.
Horizontal Accumulator
Function: Stores a reserve of leveled steel strip to ensure continuous feed to the forming mill, even during coil changes.
Capacity: Accommodates up to 500 meters of strip.
Design: Horizontal loop design with motorized control for smooth operation.
Sensors: Equipped with sensors to maintain consistent strip tension.
Mill Forming Machine
Function: Gradually forms the steel strip into the desired tube shape (round, square, or rectangular).
Rollers: High-precision rollers made from chrome-plated steel for long service life.
Forming Stages: Multiple stages to ensure gradual and accurate shaping.
Drive System: Motorized with variable speed control, synchronized with the overall mill speed.