SMS group has announced it has receivedseveral follow-up orders to modernize the 16-in. tube welding line it installedat Atlas Tube, Blytheville, Ark., a company of Zekelman Industries.

SMS will equip the line with a completelynew sizing section to expand the product spectrum and help improveproductivity. The use of URD® (uniform rigidity design) stands in the sizingsection will help shorten the size changeover time.

When upgrades are complete, the line will beable to roll round tubes up to 18 in. OD, as well as hollow sections from 14 by14 in. square up to 18 by 10 in. rectangular. Maximum wall thickness will be0.68 in.

The welding equipment on the cross-welderwill be replaced with SMS’s patented PERFECT arc® system. No transformers willbe required; the systems will be operated using insulated-gate bipolartransistor power electronics, with the welding current completely digitallycontrolled. This allows the welding machine to attain an efficiency rate ofmore than 90 percent.

SMS also will install an additional pinchroll/breakdown stand in the 8-5/8-in. ERW line at Atlas Tube in Harrow, Ont.,which will allow the production of higher grades and greater wall thicknesses.