Rafter ships pipe mill upgrade

Strongsville, Ohio-based Rafter Equipment Corp. has shipped an RT-5500 weld squeeze box for a North American OCTG pipe producer. The box is part of an upgrade to the customer's existing HFI pipe mill. It is sized for up to 7.00-in.-OD by 0.375-in.-wall HSLA steel pipe.

The design includes motorized push-on-center squeeze roll adjustments, linear displacement transducers, high-capacity tapered roller bearings within the roll tools, and a removable head roll assembly for quick change.

In addition to the weld box, the upgrade includes a new single-sided Turk's-head straightener. The unit includes 2-axis remote motorized adjustment with linear displacement transducers.

Finally, the sizing mill drive train has been upgraded. The existing single-motor, three-gearbox arrangement was replaced with three individual motor drive units. The drive electrics are designed to integrate with the existing line electrics.