Longitudinal Pipe Mill PROCESS

At the AMES pipemill plant, Pipes are formed starting from the plate set in the edge milling machine and rolled in the three-roll bending machine. The rolled cylinder is then processed into the edge crimping machine prior to tack welding. Tandems inside SAW and outside SAW are then performed to ensure a joint efficiency factor of 1. Mechanical expanding is conducted next for 0.8%-1.5% expansion ratio to relieve the pipe of its accumulated stresses during forming and welding processes. Mechanical expanding enhances the dimensional parameters.

Hydrostatic testing, ultrasonic inspection, X-ray inspection, and final, visual and dimensional inspections are also conducted. The mill proven capability for producing high strength heavy wall line pipe is up to X70. AMES offers a wide choice of pipe diameters from 16”-60” (508-1524 mm) and 0.250” -1.200” (6.4 - 30.5 mm) wall thickness with grades ranging from API 5L Grade B - X70 and pipe length of up to 40 feet (12 meters).