Page 16 - ITAtube Journal 1-2021

Technical Papers
SMS group
Thirty percent increase in productivity in seamless tube production –
SMS group announces next generation of PQF® plants
The fourth generation of PQF® plants
– applicable both as a new plant and upgrade solution – is characterized by
a considerable cost reduction per ton of tube and substantially higher profitability for tube producers, who are able to gain a significant competitive edge as a result. Achieving such a high production capacity and plant performance in the manufacture of high-quality PQF® tubes has not been possible until now.
“In the productivity of PQF® (premium quality finishing) plants for the production of seamless tubes this represents a quantum
leap.” says Thomas Maßmann, Executive Vice President Center of Competence Long Prod- ucts at SMS group. “As market and technol- ogy leader and inventor of PQF® technology, we have succeeded in achieving a 30 percent increase in output with the fourth generation of PQF® plants. This is not only possible with new plants – existing PQF® plants can also fully benefit from this with a low-investment upgrade.”
New market opportunities &
economic benefits
For the plant owner, the increase in produc- tivity certainly has positive effects. Here
are two possible scenarios: (A) 30 percent higher production capacity with the same production time and manpower means an increase from 500,000 to 650,000 tons per year. This creates new opportunities for sales and a fast return on investment. (B) The performance enhancement is used to produce the same quantity of PQF® tubes in less
time than before. Due to the minimal time required, working shifts and human resources can be adapted accordingly. Depending on the market situation and capacity utiliza- tion, plant owners can either produce more tonnage or a set target tonnage in a shorter time using the same manpower. In both cases, cost efficiency is higher and tube producers can respond adequately to volatile market and price situations.
In terms of their lifecycle assessment and sustainability, plant owners also benefit from the fourth generation of PQF® plants. As one would otherwise expect, the total amount of energy required does not increase in direct relation to the growth in production. On the contrary, less energy is required per ton of tube produced. This mainly results from the fact that the energy consumption of the sec-
ITAtube Journal 2021 – Special Edition
16
The 4th generation 7-inch PQF® is able to roll 200 tubes per hour.