Page 18 - ITAtube Journal 2 2025

Technical papers
SMS Group GmbH
Advanced large-diameter pipe
production with JCO® technology
from SMS group
SMS group’s innovative JCO® pipe forming
press is the state-of-the-art forming tech-
nology in large-diameter pipe manufactur-
ing, offering shape flexibility and numerous
control of the forming section. The X-Pact®
automation system and Shape technology,
optimizes machine parameters in real-time
with self-learning algorithms.
benefits for producers.
SMS group’s JCO® forming press enables
precise forming of longitudinally seam-
welded pipes. With advanced automation
and control systems, the press ensures the
production of diameters ranging from 16 to
64 inches and wall thicknesses exceeding
45mm. This flexibility enables steel manufac-
turers to cater to diverse market demands
while maintaining quality standards.
Special sensors integrated into the Shape
system enable automatic and centralized
control of the forming section, minimizing
human error and ensuring consistent pipe
quality. This sensor technology, integrated
into the X-Pact® automation system further
minimizes deviations in yield strength
during forming.
SMS group’s Shape system comprises three
modular subsystems: “ShapeBase,” “Shape-
View,” and “ShapeControl.” ShapeBase
serves as the foundation, while ShapeView
provides comprehensive visualization capa-
bilities. ShapeControl, on the other hand,
enables precise control over the forming
process. Together, these subsystems
ensure that pipe manufacturing meets the
highest standards of quality and efficiency.
The X-Pact® automation system includes
energy management features and
enhanced diagnostics for faster analysis of
the production process, allowing fast trou-
bleshooting.
Enabling fast commissioning: SMS
group’s X-Pact® Plug-and-Work Test
Concept
SMS group’s X-Pact® Plug-and-Work inte-
gration testing concept enables virtual
commissioning of the JCO® machine’s
automation system prior to on-site start-up.
This reduces commissioning time and
Automating Large-Diameter Pipe Manu-
facturing
ensures optimized system performance
through pre-testing against a virtual 3D
simulation. Original automation hardware
A key feature of SMS group’s JCO® tech-
and software are installed in X-Pact® Plug
nology is its high level of automation,
& Work test center for testing, with opera-
which enhances the production process
tions and processes simulated in real-time
by providing automatic and centralized
using X-Pact® Vision. Customer personnel is
18 ITAtube Journal August 2025