With seamless hollow sections, we have opened up an additional strategic business area that makes the company even more secure for the future. The extensive infrastructure projects were largely implemented within just one year.
March 4, 2024, 5:29 pm. The first 100x100x7.10 mm hollow section moves out of the rolling mill towards the lifting rake cooling bed. This is actually a normal rolling process that has been taking place in the seamless tube rolling mill for more than 40 years. It also looks unspectacular, although it does look unusual due to the cross-sectional shape of the pipe. If you then look at the dozens of colleagues cheering on next to the rolling line and on the visitors' walkway and realize how much effort and passion was required to ensure that a seamless hollow section now runs out of the rolling mill, then you know that this is a special moment.
The project was divided into several sub-projects that were closely interlinked. Planning began at the beginning of 2023 and the aim was to carry out the first hollow section test rolling in spring 2024, even before the hollow section adjustment line was completed.
The conversion of the rolling mill and the transport systems to hollow section production required extensive adjustments. The transport equipment for round tubes was upgraded so that square tubes could also be transported safely.
Achieving this ambitious goal was only possible thanks to the dedicated collaboration of a diverse team of experts. Each team member put their heart and soul into the project and solutions were developed in a respectful and solution-oriented manner. The project was implemented in several stages and the goal was successfully achieved.
In February 2024, the commissioning of the hollow section rolling mill was completed. The electrical installations and pipelines were completed, and roller table units and pushers were installed. The roller table was realigned to ensure optimal guidance of the pipes. At the beginning of March 2024, almost exactly one year after the start of the project, the first test rolling of the "Kindberg hollow section" was performed - with great success. The process was a new one for everyone involved, intensive experience was gained and tests were carried out to optimally adjust the rolling mill.
The rolling was a really moving experience and it was great to see how much everyone empathized,
recalls operations manager Thomas Zmek.
From creative fantasy names to technical combinations, everything was included. After intensive analysis and a process of elimination, the ten best names finally emerged. After further consideration, the decision was finally made in favor of "VTS® - edgeTubes".
V - voestalpine
T - Tubulars
S - Structural
This name, which stands for voestalpine Tubulars and at the same time describes the square shape of the tubes, proved to be simple but extremely effective.
In the upcoming months, we will be presenting the new addition to our product portfolio, our seamless hollow sections "VTS® - edgeTubes", in more detail.
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