Our seamless VTS®-edgeTubes are manufactured through a sophisticated production process that combines state-of-the-art rolling technology and comprehensive quality testing. Learn more about the individual production stages and discover how high-quality raw material is transformed into high-performance Hollow Sections for the most demanding applications.
As with our other products, the production of our seamless hollow sections begins in the raw material warehouse. There, the billets - weighing several metric tons and coming from our in-house steel mill in Donawitz - are cut to the desired billet lengths at room temperature. The blocks, which weigh up to 950 kg, are then heated in a rotary hearth furnace to a temperature of 1,300°C.
In the next step, the still glowing solid billets are formed into hollow billets in a cross roll piercer. After that, the hollow billet passes on to the push bench.There it is rolled into what is called a mother tube with a suitably thin wall and a maximum length of 22 m using a mandrel bar.
The mother tube is then reheated to around 1,000 °C in a reheating furnace and rolled to the drequired diameter and wall thickness in a stretch-reducing mill. For the production of our VTS®-edgeTubes, the tubes pass through the hollow section rolling mill. There, the square and rectangular cross-sections are achieved through several rolling passes.
After uniform cooling on the cooling bed, the next production steps follow. Through precise measurement procedures throughout the entire process, we guarantee compliance with the tightest tolerances.
The finishing process takes place after rolling and serves to finalize and adjust the rolled Hollow Section so that it can ultimately be shipped to our customers in top quality.
In the Hollow Sections Finishing Line, the Hollow Sections are first straightened and then inspected on a visual testing station for geometry, dimensional accuracy, and other essential material properties. After being cut to the ordered length, they are marked or stamped upon request and then bundled for shipment.
Our pipes are subject to extreme conditions – ensuring the highest quality from raw material to finished product is therefore our top priority. Production data is measured in real time to identify and prevent potential sources of defects at an early stage.
All quality-related tests are conducted in our own accredited testing center. Material property tests are performed on-site by highly qualified staff according to precisely defined, standardized test protocols. At the same time, new product developments can be quickly tested internally and made available to customers in a shorter time frame.
Using state-of-the-art testing equipment, we determine the performance characteristics of our pipes and ensure that they meet all requirements. In our laboratories, we analyze materials, conduct sour gas tests, examine microstructures, and simulate extreme operating conditions using our in-house test facilities.
This commitment ensures one thing: every seamless tube we produce meets the highest quality standards.
Once completed, our Hollow Sections are shipped from Kindberg to customers around the world by rail, truck, and sea freight. To ensure reliable and on-time delivery, we work closely with our long-standing logistics partners to provide tailored transport solutions for virtually every customer requirement.
With extensive experience in global logistics and a strong network of trusted partners, we ensure that our seamless Hollow Sections reach their destination efficiently, safely, and exactly when they are needed.
For more information, please contact our experts or visit our Hollow Sections product page.
