Construction of the Largest Continuous ERW Tube Mill in the World

Zekelman Industries selected SMS group, a Metal-Expo regular exhibitor, as partner and main supplier for a complete new 28″ ERW tube welding line to be installed at its “Atlas Tube” structural tube division.
With the new 28-inch electric resistance welding line, Zekelmann Industries will be installing the biggest continuous line in the world, capable to produce more than 400,000 tons per year and thus extending its product range and sizes.
The new line will allow Zekelman Industries to produce structural and piling products with diameters ranging from 10 ¾ up to 28 inches (273 to 710 millimeters) and wall thickness up to 1 inch (25.4 milli-meters). Furthermore square and rectangular hollows in dimensions from 8 x 8 inches (203 x 203 millimeters) up to 22 x 22 inches (559 x 559 millimeters) or 34 x 10 inches (863 x 254 millimeters) will be produced. All products are mainly intended for demands of the construction and the building sector.

The key aspect of the design and layout development of the new line are the highest requirements for quality and production output. The computer-controlled SMS group CSS Quicksetting® system ensures that the rolls can be adjusted automatically to their working positions after the size change. Further to an operational speed reaching 35 meters per minute, the line offers superior diameter/wall thickness ratio capability which, along with a quick product change-over time, results in great product flexibility.

Zekelman Industries and its structural tube division, Atlas Tube, rely on SMS group´s tube welding technology for years. The company has placed several orders with SMS group for the expansion and improvement of the product spectrum of the ERW lines installed in Harrow, Canada and Blytheville, U.S.A. This latest order marks the next step in a successful cooperation between both companies.