Page 22 - ITAtube Journal 3 2025

Technical papers
NAKATA MFG.Co. Ltd.
NAKATA FFX : Innovation in Form-
ing machine technology and recent
development of IIOT software
The NAKATA FF (Flexible Forming) con-
cept had been develop diverging from the
conventional cage forming mill system and
subsequently evolved into the FFX mill.
Compared with classic cage forming mills,
the FFX mill adopts a more rigid BD(break-
down) stands and much shorter CL (cag
style rollers) stands.
While conventional mills require roll chang-
es for each pipe size, FF and FFX technol-
ogies enable production using only ONE
SET of forming rolls to cover a wide range
of pipe diameters—in principle, up to a 1:3
outer-diameter ratio— within a single mill
line.
The FFX mill employs a set of universal rolls,
enabled by the adoption of unique invo-
lute roll profiles and an embraced bending
method applied across multiple BD stands.
As a result, the FFX mill achieves superior
edge-forming capability and stable form-
ing conditions. This concept contributes to
reduced forming loads, lower stress in the
strip, and improved dimensional accuracy
of the finished pipe.
A key differentiating factor of NAKATA’s
FFX technology is that it is backed by FEM-
based forming simulation, the core source
code of which was originally developed
by NAKATA engineers. Through extensive
FEM simulation results, NAKATA can pre-
dict the stress and strain generated in the
strip during the forming process, allowing
optimization of forming conditions—such
as maintaining excellent strip straightness
from the very top end of the coil—together
with well-qualified roll profiles.
22 ITAtube Journal December 2025