Page 50 - ITAtube Journal 1 2019

Member News
SMS group GmbH
A close partnership – from idea to finished tube
Vallourec is a worldwide market leader in premium tube and pipe solutions for both the energy sector and for industrial applica- tions. Its products and services are employed in challenging oil and gas drilling operations, in the latest generation of power sta- tions, in ambitious architectural projects, and in high-performance plant and machinery.
Such premium products can only be manufactured on high-end equipment, which is why Vallourec has been relying on the expertise of SMS group for many years now. Around the world Vallourec oper-
ates three PQF® (Premium Quality Finishing) seamless tube plants from SMS group: one in Brazil (16“), and the others in China (10 3⁄4“) and Germany (4“). The company has also been operat- ing plug mills and conti mills for years and invests in upgrades and performance modules to ensure consistently high quality for demanding applications.
In October 2018 both companies went a step further in the expan- sion of their close partnership: an international team of rolling experts from Vallourec’s tube and pipe production facilities visited
SMS group at its Milan site for a one-week technology training course at SMS INNSE.
Over the course of the week SMS group focused, among other things, on the subjects of inno- vation and improvement, and pre- sented the latest developments in mechanical design, process automation and process tech- nology, while participants from Vallourec had the opportunity of giving important feedback on the operation of their plant and equipment. The topics discussed in detail ranged from the CARTA® technology system, through the mathematical model for the PQF® setup, right up to hydraulic and mechanical systems.
Jean Luc Lambert, PC Rolling Director at Vallourec, sums up the productive and successful collab- oration between the two com- panies: “On behalf of the whole Vallourec team I would like to express my sincere thanks for this training, which enables us to achieve an even higher level of expertise in our plants and facil- ities.”
In order to intensify cooperation on joint research projects, Val- lourec invited SMS group to the Vallourec Competence Center in Riesa. The 4” PQF mill supplied by SMS group is part of the “Val- lourec Competence Center” and is at the same time a cornerstone of important research projects. Pilot trials can be carried out on an area covering approximately 2,500 square meters, without having to halt production. The Compe-
Training Team in SMS INNSE premises entrance - from left to right Mr. A. Gentile – SMS INNSE Senior Process Automation
Dr. G. Sproesser – VRCT Düsseldorf (Germany)
Mr. P. Ferraz – VRCT Düsseldorf (Germany)
Mr. J. Yang – Vallourec Tianda (China) Mr. D. Ahlrep – VCC Riesa (Germany) Mr. M. Jüterbock – VCC Riesa (Germany) Mr. H. Rohlfs – VSB (Brasil)
Mr. F. Dell’Antonio – SMS INNSE Senior Process Technology
ITAtube Journal No1/February 2019
50